Private Guided Kayak Touring

A kayak changes the scale of the coastline. It takes us beyond the immediate beach and turns a two-hour session into a proper coastal journey.

From our base at The Headland Hotel, possible routes include the Gazzle cliffs and Tea Caverns, Towan Headland, the Cribbar reef markers, Newquay Harbour and the open sweep of Newquay Bay. There is no fixed circuit. Your guide chooses the best route for the tide, wind, swell and ability of the group.

We use a carefully selected fleet of Wilderness Systems Tarpon sit-on-top kayaks. These are substantial touring boats with stable, shaped hulls, good tracking and enough glide and carrying capacity for genuine coastal use. Solo and tandem configurations allow couples, families and paddlers of different sizes or confidence levels to travel together comfortably.

This is a private guided tour, not kayak hire or a short paddle around the beach. Along the way, you will develop efficient paddling, steering and boat-control skills while learning how wind, tide and swell shape a coastal route.

No previous kayaking experience is required. Wetsuits, buoyancy aids, kayaks, paddles and safety equipment are included.

1. No previous kayaking experience is required.
2. Participants should be comfortable around open water and physically able to paddle for up to two hours.
3. Recommended minimum age is 10.
4. Younger children may be able to share a tandem kayak with a parent by prior arrangement.
5. Under-18s must be accompanied by a participating adult.
6. Please tell us in advance about any medical condition, injury or additional need that could affect participation.
7. Boat allocation and the final route remain at the guide’s discretion and will be based on paddler size, ability and sea conditions.

1. Swimwear to wear beneath the wetsuit
2. A towel
3. Warm clothes for afterwards
4. Sun protection on bright days
5. Any essential personal medication
6. A drink, if desired

1. Meet your guide at Surf Sanctuary in The Headland Hotel.
2. Get changed and fitted with a wetsuit, buoyancy aid and other required equipment.
3. Discuss the conditions, intended route and boat configuration.
4. Complete a shore-based safety briefing and introduction to paddling technique.
5. Launch into suitable water and practise steering, stopping and controlling the kayak.
6. Begin a conditions-led coastal journey at a pace suited to the group.
7. Explore the most suitable combination of cliffs, caves, reef, channels or open coastline available that day.
8. Return to the launch point, recover the boats and change at Surf Sanctuary.