Things to do in Cornwall in autumn and winter

Cornwall in autumn and winter is quieter and wilder, and there's still plenty to book: surf lessons in proper wetsuits, guided sea kayaking, coasteering, Helford River boat trips and indoor laser tag for wet days. The summer crowds have gone, and many activity providers keep running after October half-term.

Quick picks

• A Surf Lesson with Big Green Adventures at Crantock, for ages 8 and over.
• The Classic Coasteer with Surf Sanctuary in Newquay, no experience needed.
• The Helford Kayak Adventure with Koru Kayaking, near Falmouth.
• A Halloween Special at Cornwall Laser Tag, for children and adults.

Surf and SUP: Big Green Adventures and Surf Sanctuary

Big Green Adventures is the only activity centre on Crantock Beach, near Newquay. Its surf lessons run in small groups of up to six for ages 8 to 108, with C-Skins wetsuits and a board to suit your size and ability. For something calmer, the SUP Taster Lesson uses the shallow estuary pools of the Gannel at low tide, and the SUP Lesson & Tour heads up the estuary.

Photo: Big Green Adventures

Surf Sanctuary is the on-site surf school at the Headland Hotel, looking straight out over Fistral Beach. Its Bespoke Surf lessons are for individuals, couples, parents and children or small family groups, run all year round with 5mm wetsuits, and offer more choice of start times, including sunrise or sundowner sessions.

Photo: Surf Sanctuary

New to cold-water surfing? Our 5 reasons to try winter surfing in the UK and 10 of the best places to go surfing in Cornwall are good next reads.

Sea kayaking: Koru Kayaking

Koru Kayaking runs two-hour guided trips in sit-on-top kayaks on two very different stretches of water. The St Agnes Kayak Adventure launches from Trevaunance Cove and explores the cliffs and caves of the Poldark coastline, where Atlantic grey seals are often seen. The Helford Kayak Adventure sets off from the Budock Vean Hotel foreshore near Falmouth, with routes towards Frenchman's Creek or Falmouth Bay. Your guide picks the direction on the day to suit the weather and sea. Read more on our Koru Kayaking page.

Photo: Koru Kayaking

Coasteering: Big Green Adventures and Surf Sanctuary

Coasteering means scrambling over rocks, washing through gullies, exploring caves and jumping into the sea, all with a guide. Big Green Adventures runs two-hour Coasteering sessions on Crantock's Pentire headland for ages 10 and over, with a private option for your own group. In Newquay, Surf Sanctuary's Classic Coasteer kits you out in full safety gear and lets you choose your own route and tempo around the headland.

Photo: Big Green Adventures

Rainy days: Cornwall Laser Tag

When the rain sets in, Cornwall Laser Tag at the Atlantic Reach Resort in Newquay has a neon-lit indoor arena with team battles and zombie games. Over Halloween there's a child-friendly Halloween Special for children and adults and an adults-only session, and you can book a standard one-hour session all year. Our Newquay laser tag guide has more.

Photo: Cornwall Laser Tag

Boat trips and lakes: Helford River Cruises, Stithians and Tamar Lakes

Helford River Cruises takes small groups on a 90-minute trip in a traditional Cornish boat from the private quay at the Budock Vean Hotel, along the river and its creeks to Frenchman's Creek. The Helford is a saltwater ria, so look out for sea birds and marine life. Cruise times vary with the tides, and private charters are available.

Photo: Helford River Cruises

Inland, Stithians Lake near Redruth is one of the UK's windiest inland waters and an RYA-accredited centre, with an Adult Sailing Club for grown-ups building their sailing skills, plus lakeside camping pitches. Near Bude, Tamar Lakes hires out paddleboards, kayaks, canoes and pedalos for a calm day on the water. Our guide to lakeside camping in Cornwall covers both.

Staying safe on the coast in the colder months

Book sea activities with a qualified provider, who will supply wetsuits and safety kit and choose a route that suits the conditions on the day. Sea and weather can change quickly in autumn and winter, so sessions may move or be rescheduled. Before any time on the beach, read the RNLI's beach safety advice.

Cornwall in autumn and winter FAQ

Is Cornwall worth visiting in October?

Yes. Beaches and lanes are quieter after the summer, and you can still book surf lessons, coasteering, sea kayaking and boat trips, plus indoor laser tag in Newquay for wet days.

Can you surf in Cornwall in winter?

Yes. Surf Sanctuary in Newquay runs bespoke surf lessons all year round with 5mm wetsuits, and Big Green Adventures at Crantock includes wetsuits with its lessons.

What can you do in Cornwall when it rains?

Cornwall Laser Tag in Newquay is fully indoors. Surfing, coasteering and kayaking carry on in light rain, since you're getting wet anyway, though providers may change plans if the sea is too rough.

Related reading

Travelling with children? See our best outdoor family activities in Cornwall, our October half-term ideas, or browse everything on our Cornwall activities page.

Plan your next trip on eola

From Cornish surf schools to lakes, dry slopes and rivers across the country, you can find and book your next adventure on the eola marketplace.