



Kayaking with the family is an easy way to mix fun, learning, and time outdoors. This two-hour tour is designed with families in mind, combining gentle paddling, stories of smugglers and pirates, and chances to spot wildlife along Newquay’s coastline. Suitable for children as young as three, the pace is relaxed and tailored to your group, ensuring everyone feels involved and comfortable.
You’ll start by getting kitted up in the heated changing rooms with Rip Curl wetsuits, buoyancy aids, helmets, and paddles. Once ready, your instructor will cover the essentials of paddle strokes, safety signals, and what to expect on the water. The short walk down to one of Newquay’s secluded coves feels like part of the adventure itself, with the kayaks waiting at the water’s edge.
The tour moves at the group’s pace, with opportunities to swap between double and single kayaks so everyone can find what works best for them. Along the way, instructors weave in games and challenges to keep younger paddlers engaged, while sharing stories of smugglers, shipwrecks, and pirates. Depending on conditions, you may paddle into caves that were once used to stash contraband, giving children (and adults) the chance to imagine life on these waters hundreds of years ago.
Wildlife encounters are a highlight, with seabirds nesting on the cliffs and seals often seen in the water. Between paddling, playing, and listening to tales of Newquay’s past, families come away having learnt new skills and shared something that feels both adventurous and achievable.
The tour explores Newquay’s Gazzle coastline, just a short walk from Towan Beach. This stretch is full of character, with towering cliffs, narrow inlets, and caves shaped by centuries of storms. It’s a place where history and wildlife overlap – once a hiding ground for smugglers, today it’s home to marine life like seals and fish, as well as seabirds that nest along the rocks.
This activity is open to families with children aged 3 and above. No previous kayaking experience is required, as all instruction and equipment are provided. The session is tailored to ability and confidence, so whether it’s your first time or you’re more experienced, the instructor will adjust the activities to suit your group.
With over 20 years of experience, the instructors know how to keep families safe, engaged, and entertained on the water. Their approach balances teaching paddle skills with storytelling and games, making the experience educational without ever feeling like a lesson.
Modern facilities such as heated changing rooms, hot showers, and secure storage mean you can focus on enjoying your time together without hassle. Free photography is also included, so you’ll have lasting memories without needing to take your phone on the water. In case of poor weather, reliable back-up options ensure your adventure still goes ahead in some form.
There’s much more to kayaking than simply paddling in a straight line from start to finish. Your session can include much, much more! Learning advanced paddling techniques. Fun games and races. Exploring smugglers caves. Getting up close with wildlife in the natural environment, especially the local Seal population and possibly dolphins. Navigating narrow gullies and riding the natural rapids created by the ocean swell. Learning about local history and points of interest. Watching our coasteering groups as they jump off cliffs is also a great spectator sport!
What better activity to do in the rain than a water activity? Rain or shine our kayak sessions are the ultimate activity for the family.
As you will be undertaking your session in one of our sit-on-top kayaks, falling in pretty unlikely, and even if it does happen, it is not a problem. You can just flip the kayak upright and climb back in. One of our qualified instructors will be on hand to make sure that you are ok and give you any assistance needed.
We can provide a wetsuit so you only need to bring a towel and swimwear. You can wear your own wetsuit if you have one or if you have your own kayak specific waterproofs you may bring these too. Footwear will also be required so bring either a pair of shoes that you don’t mind getting wet or you can hire from us for £3 a go. Most importantly please bring a sense of adventure and fun!
Your trip will take you on one of a couple of different routes that we use. The main route is along the Gazzle which is a large headland just a short paddle from our centre. Alternatively, we will take you along a sheltered stretch of river located a short drive from the centre. We are happy for you to let us know your preference, and we will use the conditions on the day to help us decide.
Our ocean-based route along Towan headland is rich in wildlife. Common sightings include Grey Seals, and an array of birdlife. There is also the possibility to see Dolphins, Sun Fish, Lion’s mane jellyfish, and Basking Sharks have previously been spotted in the area (don’t worry, they are completely harmless and have no teeth). Our river-based route in the Gannel estuary is very in rich in Birdlife including Herrings, Iceland and Franklin Gulls.
Providing you have fulfilled the minimum requirement of 50 metres swimming capability and you have no current health issues or injuries preventing you from participating in an adventurous activities you are welcome to come! Don’t worry, it’s not a race and you are not expected to be an Olympic-level paddler! Your instructor will make sure the group moves at the pace of the slowest paddler and will assist weak paddlers when needed.
All our Instructors are fully qualified British Canoeing Paddlesport leaders as well as Beach and Surf Safety Lifeguards. Our instructors have years of personal experience in the water, and attend regular site-specific staff training. We also work in close partnership with the RNLI to ensure your safety in and out of the water.
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.