New Year’s Day in Cornwall
Who can imagine a better way to spend New Year’s Day than in the crisp sunny outdoor air in...
With over 300 miles of coastline to explore and the highest coastal sea temperatures in the UK, there’s nothing quite like paddleboarding in Cornwall. Spoilt for choice with beautiful secluded beaches, secret caves, rugged coastlines, clear waters, and wonderful wildlife to admire along the way, this beautiful county is a dream destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
With so much choice, we have chosen the best places to stand-up paddleboarding in Cornwall, with locations to suit all abilities.
Use our quick links below to read about specific areas, or read on for our complete guide to paddleboarding in Cornwall:
Complete with turquoise waters and spectacular scenery, Gannel River is a favoured spot among paddleboarders of all abilities. With many launch areas along the river, a popular area is the lower part of the Gannel River that meanders gently from the Newquay boating lake, before opening out on to the breath-taking Crantock Beach.
Whether you’re looking for a gentle paddle upriver, some light-hearted group fun, or be a little more adventurous in the surf, there is something for everyone. The Creek offers plenty of shelter, look out for the resident Kingfishers and be sure to check on local conditions and tide times.
The pristine sand of Towan Beach is the perfect place for a spot of paddleboarding in Cornwall. Stretching from Newquay’s harbour walls, to the cliffs of Lusty Glaze Beach at low tide. Perfect for first-timers due to its sheltered nature, but also a joy for more advanced paddle-boarders, the surrounding harbour wall and rock faces cause waves to break, providing appeal and adventure for thrill-seekers.
A popular route from Towan beach is to paddle out to The Gazzle – a 2km stretch of Atlantic coastline, keep an eye out for an abundance of fish, crustaceans, and sea birds when you’re out on your SUP. You might even be lucky enough to see some sea lions, porpoises, and dolphins.
Famously known as the home for British Surfing, Fistral Beach is an excellent space to launch your stand-up paddleboard in Cornwall. You can opt for the more relaxing option of exploring the coastline on calm waters, or ride the waves for a higher energy experience, both as equally rewarding and boast a unique way to enjoy the fantastic North Cornish coastline.
Although it is very important to check the conditions are right for paddle boarding. Similar to Harlyn Bay, suitable conditions for paddleboarding at Fistral beach means little or no surf with very little wind.
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A peaceful way to explore the beautiful Camel Estuary is to launch from the small beach at Dennis Cove, next to the Camel Estuary, just 1km from Padstow. The paddle to Little Petherick Creek is a pleasant route where you can spot wonderful birdlife, wildlife and nature.
Tregirls beach is renowned for its crystal-clear water and calm conditions which makes the perfect place for a gentle meander on the paddleboard during a beach day. You would need your own equipment or to hire elsewhere before heading to the beach.
Just south of Padstow, you’ll find Harlyn Bay. This turquoise bay is incredible to look at and even better to go paddleboarding on. Famous for beginner surfers, Harlyn Bay offers a diverse location for those looking for a more adventurous day out on the water in Cornwall. For those looking for a gentle paddle, perfect conditions would be calm waters and very little wind.
Enjoy marine wildlife below you thanks to the crystal-clear waters, and beyond you might be lucky enough to see seals or even Dolphins in the distance. Impressive coves and rock formations accompany you as you paddle towards Trevone.
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Set in an area of outstanding beauty, Port Gaverne is neighbour to the much-loved fishing village of Port Isaac, home to popular TV series, Doc Martin. An excellent spot to launch your paddleboard in Cornwall, you are accompanied by an abundance of unspoiled scenery, combined with wildlife as you meander through remote coves and beaches to neighbouring Port Isaac.
If you’re after somewhere that’s relatively calm to launch your paddleboard in Cornwall for the first time, enjoy the cove at Port Gaverne and avoid heading out of the sheltered cove. This is recommended if you are less experienced and just looking for a gentle paddle.
A beautiful, less well-known strip of the North Cornish Coast is the beautiful harbour of Port Quin, stretching around the coast to popular Port Isaac. Launch your SUP from the harbour and enjoy the clear waters, beautiful geology, and rugged cliff edges. Sheltered from the Atlantic wind and waves makes Port Quin a superb destination for paddleboarding in Cornwall.
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Set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Fowey is one of the best places to stand-up paddleboard in Cornwall for bird and wildlife lovers. With so much to see, from fascinating wading birds and extraordinary caves to sandy beaches, this is a perfect spot to head out on the water.
If you’re heading out on your own board, you can park up at Caffa Mill car park opposite Daphne Du Maurier’s house, Ferryside. Here you have the choice to head upriver towards Golant and Lostwithiel, or towards the mouth of the river and out to sea. The calm conditions here are perfect for those trying out paddleboarding for the first time.
Polkerris beach, just a 7-minute drive away is also a very popular paddleboarding destination in Cornwall, with hire and lessons from the beach.
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The contrast of white sands and turquoise waters could have you mistaking Porthcurno for an exotic island overseas. Arguably one of the most beautiful beaches in Cornwall, Porthcurno is one of the best places to paddleboarding in Cornwall.
Launch your board from the beach at low tide and head left towards Logan Rock for spectacular views. Enjoy the dramatic coastline of jagged rock formations, secret coves and sandy islands and enjoy exclusive views only within reach of those on water. Although a very popular beach, this location proves one of the most popular places to enjoy the water – escape the crowds and head out for some peace.
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If you’re after a chance of seeing seals and dolphins among picturesque coves and dramatic cliff edges, head to photogenic Portreath near Redruth. This is one of the best paddleboarding destinations in Cornwall, suited to all abilities. Beginners should stay close to the shore, as sometimes there are swells once you’re out on the sea, so would only recommend heading out to the sea if confident and experienced. Highlights include the idyllic Western Cove, only accessible by water.
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Where better to spend a day out on the water than the lovely Carbis Bay? With its sandy shores and calm waters, sheltered from westerly winds, it’s the ideal spot a day out paddleboarding. The beach can get a little busy at times, meaning you’ll have to keep aware of your surroundings to avoid boats and other boarders, but this also provides reassurance that someone will come to your aid if you get into a spot of trouble.
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Picture perfect Sennen Cove is a popular water sports destination, thanks to its wild and untamed nature. Be sure to check conditions as there can sometimes be unpredictable swells here.
This spot is great for spotting the resident seals skimming the surface of the water, or head left for an alternative perspective of the most westerly point of the British Isles, Lands End.
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If you’re looking for calm waters, expansive stretches of beach and breathtaking scenery, there’s nowhere better for paddleboarding in Cornwall than Marazion. With the iconic St Michael’s Mount just half a mile away out from the shore, you won’t be short of stunning views to take in while you paddle. If you’ve got the stamina, why not try and paddle the entire way around the Mount? Or simply head out from the sandy shores of Marazion Beach and view St Michael’s Mount from a distance.
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The Helford river, situated on the South Coast of Cornwall makes up the North shore of the Lizard peninsula. In calm conditions, this makes for one of the most peaceful spots to enjoy a day out on your SUP. Lined with ancient oak woodlands, enjoy meandering the creeks or venture out to the stunning coastline of Falmouth Bay.
The best place to launch from, if you do not have your own equipment, is Helford Passage where you will find hire facilities. Another popular spot is Durgan Beach, offering plenty of places to explore, including Grebe Beach, or alternatively make your way across the estuary to the renowned Shipwright Arms for a refreshment.
Another highlight is secluded Frenchman’s Creek, the topic and title of Daphne D’amauriers novel. Exploring Helford via the water is highly recommended, untouched and bursting with wildlife.
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Cornish Cottage Holidays offer a wide range of self-catering properties in Cornwall, perfectly located to enjoy a holiday full of outdoor activities in Cornwall. Discover our exquisite collection, including coastal cottages, holiday homes with hot tubs, family friendly properties and so much more.
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