When it comes to exploring waterways and coastlines, there’s nothing like a kayak. Traditionally individual boats, though double models are now widely available, they combine stability with agility whilst retaining exceptional ease of use. It’s no surprise that Cornwall, a county cut across by numerous rivers, dimpled by estuaries, and surrounded on three sides by the sea, is a paradise for kayakers. There are so many locations and experiences in this southwesternmost county of England that it would take a lifetime to enjoy them all. That’s why we’ve put together this guide. Read it at your leisure and decide how you’d like to enjoy kayaking in Cornwall, then let us know your decision and we’ll make it happen!

Where are the best places to go kayaking in Cornwall?

• Newquay: We start with Newquay, the first name that comes to most people’s minds at the mention of watersports in Cornwall. This town is most famous for surfing, but that’s just one of the cornucopia of activities you can enjoy here. If your heart is set on kayaking, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Newquay Bay itself is a fascinating place to explore, whether at high tide or low. Beyond the town a series of headlands project out into the Celtic Sea in one direction, and long expanses of sand, backed by cliffs, extend into the distance in the other. And if the waves are high enough to put you off kayaking on the sea, the Gannel Estuary is a world of peace and tranquillity

• Bude: Bude is another of the north coast’s watersport hubs. A river and a canal traverse the town to reach Summerleaze Beach. Both of them are navegable for a good distance inland, allowing for excursions into the Cornish interior. Bude is also a popular point of departure for sea kayaking trips because the high cliffs and sheltered coves of Boscastle and Tintagel are not far away. The latter is famous for its associations with King Arthur, a legend that comes alive when you discover the area from the water.

• The Camel Estuary: Between Newquay and Bude, the River Camel winds its way to the ocean, mixing with it in a broad, sheltered estuary. Trips up and downstream, and along the coast at the mouth of the estuary, are easy to find in Wadebridge, Padstow, Polzeath and Rock.

• St Agnes Heritage Coast: The stretch of coast around St Agnes has protected status thanks to its history and wildlife. Why not take a kayaking tour along the coast, keeping an eye out for old mine shafts and seals, dolphins and basking sharks? If that’s not enough to tempt you, perhaps the fact that this is the area that inspired the Poldark series might be.

St Ives Bay: This artistic town has two beaches separated by a headland, but St Ives Bay is a huge sweep of coastline that extends east from the town. As well as standard sea kayaking in this beauty spot, you can have a go at the innovative, and incredibly exciting, sport of surf kayaking. This is possible in Hayle, which is popular with regular surfers too.

• Penzance: Travelling west from St Ives, the cliffs become more rugged and the seas more agitated on the approach to Land’s End. Kayaking on the tip of the peninsula is only an option for experts, but conditions are much more manageable by the time you reach Penzance. The fishing village of Marazion is one of the most evocative places for a paddle in this area.

• The Lizard Peninsula: This spit of land on the south Cornish coast presents many opportunities for kayaking. Every inch of the coastline, from Porthleven to Mawnan Smith, is worth seeing from a kayak while the Helford River flows through stunning scenery to meet the English Channel on the east side. There’s a tour that takes you from the river up Frenchman’s Creek which was the inspiration for Jamaica Inn, Daphne Du Morier’s novel about smugglers.

• Falmouth: If a town was designed to offer kayaking opportunities of all kinds, it might look something like Falmouth. As well as the sea and the River Fal there’s Carrick Roads, an estuary fed by multiple rivers. At the entrance to the estuary and other strategic places along its length, there are castles and fortifications while dozens of yachts are moored in harbours or sheltered areas. There are kayaking experiences in Falmouth itself, as well as towns and villages around the estuary including Flushing, Mylor, Feock and St Mawes.

• Mevagissey: Regarded by many as the most quintessential of all Cornish fishing villages, Mevagissey is developing an attractive offering of watersports activities to complement the desirable holiday cottages and fresh fish restaurants. Kayaking out of the harbour is a delight for the senses as you share the water with fishing boats and, if you’re lucky, schools of dolphins. There are other seaside settlements in the vicinity of St Austell where you can get kayaking such as Gorran Haven and Charlestown.

• River Fowey: It’s not far along the coast to the mouth of the River Fowey. This is one of the best rivers in the county for kayaking, without rapids or falls to stop your journey upriver to the heart of the peninsula.

• River Tamar: In contrast, the River Tamar, which forms much of the border between Devon and Cornwall, is much better to go down. In fact, you can enjoy white water kayaking here, tackling rapids, small falls and fast moving water as you descend towards the sea.

• Isles of Scilly: We haven’t forgotten about them! The five inhabited and numerous smaller islands that make up the Isles of Scilly archipelago are about 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall. With the largest island measuring just a few miles across, the only logical transport solution here is a kayak! Some of the most rewarding sea kayaking experiences in England are the multi-day, island-hopping kayak tours of this remarkable place.

Options for organising this experience

The scope of kayaking activities on the Cornish peninsula is about as wide as the limits of your imagination. In many places, especially the larger seaside towns and resorts, it’s easy to find kayaking equipment for rent and hire it for an hour, half a day, or longer. This is a great option for having a bit of fun or for experienced kayakers to explore on their own, but if you’re not confident on the water and you want to get the most out of the experience, we recommend taking a class. Generally lasting 1.5 to 3 hours, a lesson will give you time with an expert instructor who’ll build up your confidence and make sure that you’re paddling correctly.

Of course, if you want to take this watersport really seriously, you’ll want extended tuition. There are plenty of kayaking courses on offer in Cornwall that will take you through the steps from basic movement and control to emergency procedures and advanced techniques over the course of a full day or multiple days.

To shift the focus from learning to enjoyment, there are plenty of tours that you can join in. From a couple of hours up the Gannel Estuary, to a full day along the rugged coastline, to five days around the Scilly Isles, there’s something to suit everyone’s tastes and timeframes.

Finally, we want to tell you about the more innovative uses of this sport. This personal boat can be a platform for the solitary sport of sea fishing, it can rival surfboards in the breakers, and can even take you on a rapid river descent. If you’re interested in kayak fishing, kayak surfing or white water, just let us know!

Activity requirements

Piloting a standard kayak takes some coordination skills but most children can handle it before their tenth birthday. For the youngest members of the family, double kayaks are a fantastic option. The little ones can share the boat with one of their parents and start paddling. Some of the experiences aren’t so suitable for young children, especially those that involve dealing with waves or strong currents. Some of the sea kayaking expeditions include challenging conditions, making them only suitable for those with some prior experience.

This is a fantastic activity to share with others, but you don’t have to make a booking as a group or join an open group. Plenty of operators offer private experiences for individuals, couples or small groups. Whether it’s a lesson that’s tailored to you or a tour that takes you to some of this region’s best beauty spots at your pace, these are the most personalised options around.

So, what’s it going to be? Let us know today!