Did you know that it’s impossible to be more than 20 miles from the sea in Cornwall? And, with the vast majority of the population living within a much shorter distance of the water, it’s clear that there’s a powerful draw towards the coastline. If you want to understand this attraction, uncover the secrets of the 400-mile stretch of coast and marvel at its majesty, there’s only one option: coasteering. This is the activity of exploring the intertidal zone in all its forms. Cliffs, caves and rock pools, plants, animals and evidence of human activity, it’s an endlessly fascinating environment. Be prepared to swim, scramble, climb and dive along the coast on a journey that you’ll never forget!

Is an adventurous activity but it’s also an opportunity to get a new perspective on things. Here, you can explore smugglers’ caves and feel the history of the area come to life, or see first-hand how the conditions of land and sea affect the animals that live in and around the water. With so much scope for excitement, coasteering is well worth the cost - physical and financial!

Where are the best places to go coasteering in Cornwall?

• Bude: On the north coast of the county, Bude is one of the easiest towns to reach in Cornwall for anyone travelling from the rest of England. It’s also a fantastic place to start the adventure. Excursions from Bude take adventurers to Sandymouth Bay at high tide, when semi-submerged rock formations create an aquatic playground, Bossiney Cove, which has rocks that resemble elephants’ trunks and twin sisters, and Tintagel. According to legend, the latter was the birthplace of King Arthur. As well as the cliff top castle, there’s a 100-metre sea cave here that cuts through the headland from one cove to another.

• Polzeath: There are numerous natural harbours in the vicinity of Polzeath that make excellent spots for this activity. Port Quin and Port Gaverne are deep cuts in the cornish cliffs, sheltering coasteerers from the worst of the weather and hiding interesting coastal features and habitats for wildlife. Pentire Point, visible from Polzeath, is another rewarding place to go exploring. It’s more exposed though as it juts out into the Celtic Sea at the mouth of the Camel Estuary.

• Newquay: We can’t talk about adventurous activities in Cornwall without mentioning Newquay. While the masses grab their surfboards and head for the beaches to enjoy the waves, we recommend setting out along the coast from Towan Beach or Fistral Beach to traverse the rugged shore of the Gazzle Peninsula. St Cuthbert’s Cave at Holywell is another beautiful coastal feature that’s a short journey from the town centre. There’s a wide variety of coasteering experiences here, from family friendly trips to extreme excursions and even themed tours that highlight the human heritage - including stories of smugglers - or the ecology of the coastline.

• Penzance: The largest town on the southwesternmost point of the Peninsula, Penzance is a good choice for anyone who wants to try it. There are two coastlines to choose from depending on the weather and tide conditions. The famous cliffs of Land’s End are just a stone’s throw away, as are Mousehole Harbour and Pendeen Watch (near St Ives) which are less exposed to the elements.

• Porthleven: One of the best destinations on the south coast is Praa Sands, a beach near Porthleven. The expanse of white sand ends in a tumble of cliffs and boulders where the high tide creates a labyrinth of rock pools and channels. There are crabs and other crustaceans to spot and inquisitive seals to swim with.

• The Lizard Peninsula: Land’s End may be the most far-flung point of England but it’s the rugged Lizard Peninsula that extends furthest into the English Channel. You don’t have to put up with as many day-trippers here, especially if you take the plunge into a coasteering adventure. The most dramatic part of the peninsula is Kynance Cove, where rock stacks erupt out of the water.

• Fowey: Fowey, a small settlement near St Austell, offers a different kind of coasteering. The gentler climate of the English Channel coast allows trees to grow on the cliff tops, creating a series of wooded bays that are a pleasure to spend time in.

• Isles of Scilly: To take this experience to the next level, hop on the helicopter to Cornwall’s Atlantic archipelago, the Isles of Scilly. The golden granite cliffs and boulders of Penninis Head, on the main island of St Mary’s, are both beautiful to look at and excellent for climbing. You’ll find plenty of elevated platforms on your way up that let you dive straight back down!

Options for organising this experience

Tours that cater to all ages, tastes and budgets can be found throughout Cornwall. There are family-friendly activities which take place in sheltered areas and last a couple of hours, extreme excursions in more rugged landscapes that can last up to four hours, and themed coasteering trips for people with a special interest in the natural or human history of the county.

There are many ways to enhance the experience too. Several tour operators combine coasteering with watersports such as jet skiing, stand-up paddleboarding or boating, allowing you to travel greater distances during the activity and enjoy a curated selection of this region’s best activity spots.

Activity requirements

To have a rewarding, memorable and safe experience, you need to go coasteering with a guide. They’ll brief you on safety procedures and instruct you on how to tackle the unfamiliar environment of the intertidal zone, in addition to using their local knowledge to surprise and entertain you. They’ll give you all the equipment too: a wetsuit, buoyancy aid and helmet.

Tour operators can organise group excursions and private trips. No experience is necessary to have a go, and even children from the age of around eight can join trips to the less exposed parts of the coasts. There are some experiences, however, which are reserved for people who’ve been doing it before, or have experience of other adventure sports.

What are you waiting for? Enjoy this aquatic experience!