GUIDED KAYAK TOURS IN NEWQUAY, CORNWALL
Coastal Exploration
Two-hour private coastal tours // recommended age 10+
A kayak changes the scale of the coastline.
It carries you further than swimming, requires far less balance than a stand-up paddleboard, and gives you the stability and carrying capacity to make a proper journey. From our base at The Headland Hotel, we can paddle beneath the cliffs of Towan Headland, explore the Gazzle and Tea Caverns, round the headland towards Newquay Harbour or cross the open sweep of Newquay Bay.
Exactly where we go is decided by the tide, wind, swell and the ability of the group. Some days give us clear water, quiet caves and easy passages through the rocks. Others suit a more direct coastal journey, learning how to keep the boats moving efficiently across open water.
These are private, guided tours rather than kayak hire or a short paddle around the beach. You will learn how to control the boat properly, work with another paddler when sharing, read the water and understand why one route works while another does not.
Our Kayaks
We use a carefully selected fleet of Wilderness Systems Tarpon sit-on-top kayaks.
These are substantial, rigid touring boats with long waterlines, shaped hulls and enough carrying capacity for real coastal use. They track cleanly, retain their speed between paddle strokes and remain reassuringly stable when the water becomes more textured.
Our fleet includes dedicated solo and tandem boats:
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Tarpon 140 guide and expedition kayak
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Tarpon 120 solo kayak
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Tarpon 130T tandem kayaks for couples, parents and children, or larger solo paddlers
The open, self-draining design makes the boats accessible and straightforward to reboard, while adjustable seating, foot positions and generous deck storage make them comfortable over distance. They are a considerable step above the short recreational kayaks commonly used for beach hire.
The different configurations allow us to choose the right boat for each person. Confident paddlers may travel independently, while couples, younger paddlers or anyone wanting a little more support can share a tandem.
A Journey Shaped by the Conditions
There is no fixed circuit.
From The Headland, our immediate coastline offers cliffs, reef, caves, channels and open water within a remarkably compact area. On suitable days we can travel around Towan Headland, investigate the rocky coastline of the Gazzle, pass the Cribbar reef markers, continue towards the harbour or make longer crossings through Newquay Bay.
When conditions are better elsewhere, tours can also be arranged from selected locations around Cornwall. The south coast opens an extensive network of sheltered creeks, wooded estuaries, rocky headlands and clear-water coves.
Every route is chosen for the people in the group and the conditions on the day. The aim is not simply to cover distance. It is to travel well, notice what is happening around you and finish with a better understanding of coastal water.
During the tour, you may learn:
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Efficient forward paddling without exhausting your arms
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Steering, braking and controlling the kayak around rocks
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How to coordinate strokes in a tandem kayak
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How wind, tide and swell affect speed and direction
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Launching, landing and reboarding a sit-on-top kayak
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Choosing routes, identifying sheltered water and recognising exit points
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How to carry clothing, food, communication equipment and other kit securely
Wildlife varies throughout the year, but grey seals, cormorants, shags, oystercatchers and peregrine falcons are all regularly seen along this coast. In clear conditions, the view beneath the boat can be every bit as interesting as the cliffs above it.
All kayaking equipment, wetsuits and buoyancy aids are provided. Your guide will choose the boats, route and pace according to the group and the sea conditions.
Pricing
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One paddler: £130
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Two paddlers sharing a tandem: £165
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Two paddlers in separate kayaks: £190
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Three paddlers: £210
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Four paddlers: £240
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Larger or longer private journeys: by arrangement
Prices for three and four paddlers are based on an appropriate mixture of solo and tandem kayaks. An additional individual kayak can be allocated for £25, subject to availability, paddler ability and the conditions.
Longer Journeys and Support Craft
The two-hour tour is the natural starting point, but the kayaks also open the door to longer and more purposeful days on the water.
For capable paddlers, we can plan extended coastal journeys that incorporate weather, tide, route selection, equipment, nutrition and alternative landing points. These sessions are built around the judgement required to travel through real coastal water rather than distance for its own sake.
Our Tarpons can also be used as support craft for bespoke open-water swimming and spearfishing days. Their stability and deck capacity make them useful for carrying clothing, food, communication equipment, dive kit and emergency supplies while remaining close to the people in the water.
Longer journeys and support sessions are arranged individually and remain entirely dependent on suitable conditions.
FAQs
Do I need previous kayaking experience? No. The Tarpons are stable and accessible, and we will introduce the essential techniques before travelling any distance. Complete beginners can share a tandem or use a solo boat depending on confidence, size and conditions.
Should we share a kayak or have one each?
Sharing works particularly well for couples, parents and children, and groups with mixed confidence or fitness. Separate kayaks give each person more independence and more opportunity to develop their own paddling. We can recommend the best arrangement when you enquire.
Are these ordinary beach kayaks?
No. Wilderness Systems Tarpons are high-quality, rigid sit-on-top kayaks designed to combine stability with genuine paddling performance. Their hull length, tracking, seating and carrying capacity make them considerably better suited to coastal journeys than short recreational hire boats.
What is the minimum age?
We generally recommend age 10 and above. Younger children may be able to join a parent in a tandem kayak by prior arrangement. Age is only one consideration, so we will also discuss water confidence, size and the likely conditions.
Do I need to be particularly fit?
No. Kayaking is efficient and the boats carry their speed well. The route and pace are calibrated to the group. A longer coastal journey will naturally require more stamina, but the standard tour is suitable for most generally active people.
What happens if the sea is rough?
We assess the wind, swell and tide before every session. The route may be shortened, moved into more sheltered water, relocated or rescheduled. The kayaks give us considerably more range than paddleboards, but every decision remains conditions-led.
Will I fall in?
It is possible, although the Tarpons are very stable. You will be wearing a wetsuit and buoyancy aid, and the open sit-on-top design makes the kayak much easier to reboard than an enclosed cockpit boat.
What should I bring?
Bring swimwear for beneath your wetsuit, a towel and warm clothes for afterwards. We can carry small personal items, drinks and additional layers in drybags or within the kayak storage.
Where do the tours start?
Most Newquay tours begin from our base at The Headland Hotel overlooking Fistral Beach. The precise launch point depends on the conditions. Bespoke journeys elsewhere in Cornwall can also be arranged.
How is this different from your guided SUP tour?
SUP offers a more exposed and balance-led way of travelling. Kayaks are easier to use, carry more equipment and allow us to cover greater distances with less fatigue. They are particularly well suited to couples, families, coastal exploration and days where the journey matters more than standing on a board.