As a coastal county, water sports are one of the main activities enjoyed in Cornwall. While everyone knows about the surf in Cornwall, there are plenty of other seaside sports suitable for all abilities. Here are some of the best activities to try around the Cornish coast.
Sailing
When the weather is a little warmer or the sea a little calmer, and you don’t want to do something too exhilarating, opt for a gentle sail across the sea. There are plenty of boat trips available around the coast, but if you know how to sail or are lucky enough to have your own boat, then Falmouth is certainly the place to go. With the famous Falmouth Harbour, the third deepest natural harbour in the world, as well as the delightful Fal River, there are plenty of sailing adventures to be found! If you’re up for a bigger adventure, then heading off to the Isles of Scilly makes for a beautiful trip.
Canoeing and Kayaking
As well as at the beaches, water makes its way throughout the whole of Cornwall through a series of stunning rivers, lakes and estuaries. Hopping in a canoe or kayak and spending the afternoon paddling down the stream is the perfect way to explore the gorgeous Cornish countryside in a relaxing way. Alternatively, row your way out to sea and you may even be able to get up close with the local wildlife, including seabirds, seals and even dolphins!
Diving
You shouldn’t be limited to just the top of the water; try going under it too! As one of the top diving spots in the UK, the Cornish waters are packed full of marine life and shipwrecks ready to explore. There are many diving schools around the coast to choose from, although Falmouth Bay and the Lizard are incredible locations, as they sit either side of the vibrant Manacles Reef, where over 100 shipwrecks have occurred. An impressive range of sea life inhabits the coastline, including octopus, anemones, dogfish, seals, dolphins and even sea turtles!
Bodyboarding
An alternative to surfing for those not quite confident to stand up yet! Get up close with the waves on a bodyboard for some easy surf fun. Bodyboarding is a little easier than surfing, meaning you’ll be catching waves a lot quicker, which is good if you’re only visiting Cornwall for a holiday and don’t have the time to take up lots of surfing lessons!
Paddle Boarding
Stand Up Paddle Boarding, also known as SUP Boarding, is a water sport that is rapidly growing in popularity throughout Cornwall (and around the world!). If the name didn’t give it away, this activity involves standing on a board and paddling through the sea with a long paddle. Stand up paddle boarding is considered to be one of the best low-impact full body workouts out there, so if you’re missing the gym or trying to burn off all the ice cream you’ve enjoyed, this is your best bet!
Water Skiing
Water skiing will see you skimming across the top of the sea, pulled along by a speedy motorboat. Although water skiing can be a competitive sport, it’s all a lot of fun and can be enjoyed by skiers of all skill levels. You can ride the waves on two skis, one ski, on a kneeboard, wakeboard or even no board if you are brave! You don’t need to own your own boat either, as the numerous activity centres, boat rental companies and similar facilities will have everything covered.
Surfing
We couldn’t write about seaside sports in Cornwall without mentioning surfing; the sport the coastal county is renowned for. As the go-to surfing spot in the UK, there are hundreds of places around the coast that you can surf at. The best-known of these surfing locations is Fistral Beach in Newquay, which is famous for its great surf. With so many beaches perfect for surfing, it is no surprise that there are plenty of surf schools across the county, meaning you won’t be short of instructors to help you catch some waves!
If you’d like to try out some water sports in Cornwall, or even just to relax on the beach, luxury Falmouth holidays could be just the answer!