Picture the scene… you and your friends kitted out in full coasteering gear, glow sticks strapped on, torches at the ready, and the ocean waiting in the dark. This military-inspired Night Coasteering experience brings together adrenaline, teamwork, and adventure under the cover of darkness. Guided by the glow of neon and the sound of crashing waves, it’s a chance to tackle the coast in a way few ever experience.
Your evening starts around an hour before nightfall with a full briefing, equipment fitting, and safety checks. Kitted out in wetsuits, helmets, buoyancy aids, torches, and glow sticks, you’ll make your way to Newquay’s old lifeboat slip — an atmospheric entry point that sets the scene for what’s to come.
As the light fades, the coastline transforms. Torch beams flicker across rocks and sea caves, and fluorescent gear creates an otherworldly glow. You’ll follow routes once used by smugglers and pirates, moving through natural rapids, scrambling over ledges, and leaping into plunge pools of dark water. The pace is steady, with instructors guiding the group through challenges and offering alternatives for those who prefer to sit out a section.
The absence of daylight heightens every sense. Sounds echo differently across the water, splashes take you by surprise, and the simple act of moving together feels like an adventure in itself. It’s a thrilling mix of teamwork, exploration, and personal challenge, all under expert supervision.
Set on the dramatic coastline around Newquay in Cornwall, this session makes use of rocky headlands, sea caves, and natural pools shaped by the Atlantic. Beginning at the historic lifeboat slip, you’ll access areas that take on a whole new atmosphere after sunset.
The environment combines both history and adventure. By torchlight, caves and passages reveal hidden features, while the rise and fall of the tide changes the challenges from one moment to the next. It’s a coastline with character, and seeing it at night makes the experience unlike daytime coasteering.
Participants should feel confident in the water, though strong swimming ability is not essential as buoyancy aids are provided. A reasonable level of fitness will help make the most of the activity.
Children aged 8 and above are welcome, provided they are accompanied by a parent or guardian. All equipment is provided, and no prior coasteering experience is required.
The centre has a team of professional instructors who were among the first to develop and risk-assess night coasteering routes in this area. Their knowledge of tides, currents, and safe entry points means you can focus on the adventure while knowing you’re in capable hands.
Alongside expert guidance, the centre offers award-winning facilities including heated changing rooms, secure storage, and hot showers. With thousands of glowing Tripadvisor reviews, they’re a trusted choice for both locals and visitors who want to experience coasteering in Cornwall at its best.
Coasteering was born from the exhilarating blend of mountaineering and orienteering, and was first mentioned in a climbing guidebook dedicated to Devon.
This dynamic activity marries sea swimming, low-level climbing, traversing, natural rapid riding and thrilling jumps from ledges into deep-sea plunge pools. Our coasteering adventures are conducted along the Gazzle, a Cornish term meaning ‘armpit’, which is a sheltered stretch of coastline teeming with a diverse range of native wildlife. Experiencing coasteering in Newquay, Cornwall is a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the stunning landscape and observe coastal flora and fauna up close.
All our Instructors are fully qualified Beach and Surf Safety Lifeguards, ISA surf Instructors and Coasteering trailblazers. They’ve undertaken extensive First Aid training and we endeavour as an Activity Centre to regularly train our staff so they have experience in all weather and water conditions. All coasteering routes have been risk assessed and developed to ensure an adrenaline-fuelled but low risk coasteer. We also work in close partnership with the RNLI presence on every beach to ensure your safety in and out of the water.
Yes! Coasteering is a year-round activity, you just need a few extra bits of kit to keep you warmer in winter months! We even coasteer all the way up to Christmas.
All our coasteering instructors wear exactly the same equipment as you, but carry some extra gear to ensure your safety.
If you have your own suit please bring it along but wait until you’ve spoken with our instructors before putting it on. Some wetsuits are not suitable for coasteering, specifically shorties and triathlon suits. The same applies for wetsuit boots / beach shoes. Some are suitable and others aren’t. Trainers for example, are perfect for the rocky terrain.
All you need to bring is your swimwear, a towel and some old trainers to wear in the water. We will provide you with everything else, including a wetsuit, buoyancy aid, helmet and a rash vest.
Please bring a pair of lace-up trainers to wear during your coasteer. They will of course get wet, so you can also hire wetsuit boots or trainers for a small charge of £5.
During your coasteering journey, various jumps await you, the highest reaching 8 meters. However, depending on the tide, this can fluctuate. Our skilled instructors ensure you master the necessary technique before you take on the big leaps.
But don’t fret if high jumps aren’t your thing – they’re entirely optional!
With years of local knowledge, we’ve identified all the route’s entry and exit points. We’ve made sure there’s an alternative path for every challenge, whether it’s swimming with an instructor or taking a scenic cliff path. Rest assured, we tailor each activity to your preference, ensuring you enjoy the experience just the way you like it!
If you have any medical needs, injuries or special requirements, just give us a ring and we can talk through how best we can cater for your needs during your coasteering experience!
We ask that everybody who takes part in our coasteering experiences can swim a minimum of 50 metres. However, you’ll be given a buoyancy aid as part of your coasteering kit so there’s no need to be nervous of you’re not the strongest swimmer!
Coasteering requires a basic level of fitness. During the route you’ll be doing low level climbing and will need to be able to pull yourself out of the winter onto rocky traverses. It’ll certainly get the heart pumping but you don’t have to be an athlete.
It is generally best not to wear glasses if possible. Talk to your instructor on the day and explain what level of sight you have without glasses and they will advise. In calm conditions it should not be a problem, however we always suggest glasses have a cord/lanyard, or that they are securely tied onto your buoyancy aid. Using disposable contact lenses is advisable.
We both loved it , the instructor was a gentleman . Clear , concise instructions and very helpful . Can’t remember his name sorry , very tall with long hair
Jamie was a good instructor but a bit disappointed with the time snorkeling and not seeing anything. The sighting of the seals and info about the coast was great
Everyone was so friendly. My crew leader Alex was really supportive and encouraging as I am not an avid swimmer and so easing my way into kayaking and coasteering was a breeze. The team back at their headquarters were amazing ... keeping my baggage safe as I toured and even…
We had a really good time with Heath today. He showed us all the safety information and kept checking we were all okay. Instead of just staying out snorkelling he showed us some caves and told us about the history and cool knowledge about the caves and rocks. Had a…
We had an amazing time with heath. He was so lovely and gave us a bit of history as we went along. Very caring and made sure we had a fab time
Fun and exciting. The guide Oleks made it really enjoyable for us
Olek was such a cool instructor…let you get on with enjoying the water whilst keeping you safe and giving lots of detail…dan was super helpful when we got there and having a chat afterwards 10/10 hope to be back next summer
Amazing time coasteering in Cornwall with our instructor James. Great fun and James was very knowledgeable and easy to chat to. Thanks for an amazing time
We partner with Rewilding Britain to help protect our natural spaces for future adventures.
All centres are vetted for safety and quality. Your adventure is in good hands with adventuro.
Operated by Newquay Activity Centre, a partner of adventuro.
