With such an extensive coastline and a number of rivers and lakes inland, there’s a world of watersports fun and excitement in store for you in south east Cornwall, whatever your ability level or preference.

With its stunning coastline and rocky cliffs, beautiful countryside, rolling seas and sandy beaches, there’s nowhere better to let your hair down and have a sporting adventure!

Our team at Staycation have put their oar in and come up with the best south east Cornwall watersports close to our holiday cottages. It will help you keep your head above water when you’re planning your family’s holiday activities.

 
Check out Active-8’s simple to use website. This local company has the very best adventure activities, all fully approved with qualified instructors, insurance cover and risk assessments. There are plenty of Cornwall watersports adventures to choose from, including paddle boarding (SUP), canoeing, wet & wild days, coasteering, surfing, cable water-skiing and much more. You can check availability and book on-line and you will be sent vouchers with details and directions. You can avoid having to shop around as the prices on their website are the same as direct booking.

Surfing and Coasteering

Surfing at Whitsand Bay © Adventure Bay

Adventure Bay
Where: Eddystone Cafe on Tregonhawke Beach, Whitsand Bay PL10 1JZ
Opening times: April 1 – October 31 2016
Details: Adventure Bay is the one-stop shop for all sea lovers, providing surfing classes and coasteering packages for all ages at the beautiful Whitsand Bay, just 4 miles from Looe Island View. Offering both surf lessons and equipment hire there is something for every level of surfer – whether you’re a keen surfer or just fancy having a go. You will be in safe hands with Adventure Bay, whose years of experience in Cornwall watersports make them one to trust. Choose from a variety of lessons and courses including; family lessons, group lessons, private 1:1 tuition and their fabulous evening sunset surf lessons.

Fancy something totally different? They also run coasteering sessions at Rame Head for groups of 6 or more people. Perfect for thrill-seekers who want to see and experience the coast like never before.

The Blob at Adrenalin Quarry

Adrenalin Quarry
Where: Menheniot, Nr Liskeard PL14 3PJ
Opening times: Open every day from Easter – end of September 2016; 10am – 6pm
Details: For coasteering in Cornwall with a twist, look no further than Adrenalin Quarry and sign up for their newest adventure, called The Blob. The Blob is a 12×3 metre inflatable pillow/catapult that sits on the water. Whilst you sit on the end of it, your ‘friend’ climbs the floating tower and jumps on to the other end, shooting you up in the air and plummeting you down into the water. You’ve seen this sort of thing with circus clowns, but now it’s for real! Once you’re wet you might as well enjoy some wild swimming, climbing rock faces and jumping from the sheer cliffs into the lake. There is a safety boat and instructors on hand to ensure everyone has fun but stays safe in this version of freshwater coasteering. It is also the first location in Cornwall to offer coasteering to children aged 10+ as long as they can swim 50m unaided. Wet suits, helmets and qualified instructors are provided, so simply turn up and enjoy some high octane fun. You also have an all-weather guarantee – this unique Cornwall watersports experience has all the thrills of true coasteering, but none of the uncertainty of bad weather or high tides to spoil the fun.

Kayaking and Paddle Boarding

 
Kayak & paddle board hire at Millendreath
Where: Millendreath, Looe PL13 1NY
Opening times: Open all year.
Details: Explore the water at your own pace at Looe Bay (Millendreath). This sheltered spot lends the perfect conditions for kayaking and paddle boarding – an ideal location for some Cornwall watersports  when you book our nearby holiday cottages. It is important to note that participants must be over 16 unless accompanied by an adult and confident and able to swim 50m, as falling into the sea is quite likely. One hour, half day and full day options are all available, providing ample opportunity to explore the impressive coastline. Equipment is provided, as are changing and refreshment facilities, so all you need to do is book your kayak or paddle board adventure.

Encounter Cornwall
Where: Golant, Fowey, PL23 1LN
Opening times: April 1 – September 30 2016
Details: Head over to Encounter Cornwall to sample one of their great canoe, stand up paddle board and kayaking experiences. The Cornwall watersports centre is situated in a quiet, safe and sheltered base in Golant at the heart of the Fowey Estuary, 15 miles from our holiday cottages at Killigorrick Farm. This experienced water activity provider offers some of the best trips with options to suit every taste and ability – perfect if you are yet to adjust to your paddling arms! They also offer a fabulous hire service.

Lakeside water sports

Siblyback Lake Country Park © South West Lakes Trust

Siblyback Lake Country Park
Where: near Liskeard PL14 6ER
Opening times: See website for details
Details: Enjoy family-friendly and adventurous Cornwall watersports at Siblyback. Surrounded by the moody hills of Bodmin Moor, this impressive lakeside location offers a wide range of activities suitable for beginners to keen watersports enthusiasts, including kayaking, sailing, windsurfing and SUP. Permits for rainbow trout angling are available and boats can also be booked. Siblyback also boasts the only clockwise wakeboarding cable in the UK. If you prefer to keep your feet on terra firma (or 40 feet high) then you can enjoy the high ropes, or explore Siblyback by bike (hire available) or Segway on their 3.5 mile green cycle trail. Pop into the lakeside café to refuel and let your kids let off any steam they have left in the children’s play area.

Sea fishing

Looe fishing boats by DavideGorla

Fishing Cornwall
Where: Looe PL13 1AH
Opening times: See website for details – telephone or email to book
Details: There are bigger fish to fry on this ultimate Cornish seaside adventure. The waters around Looe are fantastic for fishing and Fishing Cornwall provide everything you need to catch your very own conger eel, mackerel or even shark! As well as providing rod, tackle and bait, they will take you and your family out to fish in the best areas on their 33-foot boat. If you hook some mackerel, you can even take your catch back to your holiday cottage for a barbecue! Trips can be four, six or eight hours or full day charters can be arranged for groups.

If fishing isn’t your bag, Fishing Cornwall’s boat can also be chartered for dolphin watching, bird watching and coastal excursions, sure to be fun for all.

Looe Shark Angling Club
Where: The Quay, Looe PL13 1AH
Opening times: See website for details – contact the skipper direct to book
Details: Of all the things to do in Cornwall, shark angling is a whole ‘nother kettle of fish! The Looe Shark Angling Club runs a number of different fishing expeditions, including mackerel trips and conger trips, with all rods and tackle provided. The boats are fully licensed and insured, so you will have complete peace of mind when venturing out into the Cornish waters – this will no doubt be reassuring, especially when it comes to the adventurous eight-hour shark angling trips! Shark fishing requires specialist knowledge, making it more expensive than other kinds of fishing. It generally costs around £400 for a full charter for up to 6 anglers, or £70 per person. Hot drinks and bait are provided, and, as it is a long day, it is recommended that anglers bring along a packed lunch and warm clothing.

If catching a shark doesn’t appeal on your Cornwall watersports holiday, boats can also be hired for shark and dolphin spotting at a safe distance.

Stillwater Fishing

 
Colliford Lake Park
Where: near Bodmin PL14 6PZ
Opening times: March 15 – October 12 2016
Details: Colliford Lake Park, located south of Jamaica Inn in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is the second largest lake in Cornwall providing an 8-mile perimeter walk leading to some excellent moorland trails. The Nature Reserve is an important site for birdlife including over-wintering wildfowl. The lake offers traditional fly-fishing for natural brown trout and is regarded as Cornwall’s premier brown trout fishery. Permits are available from the nearby The Jamaica Inn, an ancient smugglers’ haunt made famous by Daphne du Maurier, so whether it’s to celebrate or commiserate, stop off for a well-earned pint afterwards.

Temple Trout Fishery
Where: near Bodmin PL30 4HW
Opening times: Open all year
Details: For anyone looking for quality stillwater trout fishing in Cornwall, Temple Trout Fishery is an enjoyable day ticket option. It’s an old clay working site with deep, clear waters and some formidable trout in residence. The fishery also has a neat little fishing shelter where you can find a working toilet, hot drinks and even a few flies and bits of tackle for sale.

Trewandra Coarse Fishing Lake
Where: Trewandra Farm, Landrake, Saltash PL12 5JA
Opening times: Open all year
Details: Trewandra coarse fishing lake, formed from marshland in 1995, is in a peaceful and secluded location, surrounded by an acre of lawns and ornamental trees. You’ll find bream, tench, roach and carp here, along with reasonable day ticket prices. There is a car park beside the lake and toilet facilities throughout June to August (we think you just have to wing it the rest of the year!).

What else?

Looe Island View, Downderry

Put yourself in prime position to catch the waves with a stay at one of our south east Cornwall cottages. In fantastic locations close to all these Cornwall watersports, you’re sure to find your perfect spot for an active holiday on (or in) the water!