From guided sea kayaking beneath the cliffs of Port Isaac to gentle estuary paddles on the Camel and Fowey rivers, and calm inland lakes on Bodmin Moor, Cornwall offers paddling for every level - plus a Plymouth option on the Sound.
Cornwall's 300-plus miles of coastline, sheltered estuaries and inland lakes make it one of the best places in the UK to try kayaking or canoeing, whatever your experience level. On the north coast, Vertical Descents, based in Newquay, and Cornish Adventure (Cornish Kayaking), based at Dinham Farm near St Minver, both run guided kayak tours around Padstow, Rock and the Camel Estuary, while Cornish Rock Tors at Port Gaverne, near Port Isaac, offers sea kayaking trips into the caves and coves along one of Cornwall's most dramatic stretches of coast. If you'd rather paddle at your own pace, Camel Ski School at Rock hires kayaks for self-guided trips on the estuary.
On the south coast, Encounter Cornwall, based at Golant on the tranquil upper reaches of the Fowey River, offers guided kayak tours, hire and SUP lessons, while Sea Kayaking Cornwall, based in Falmouth, runs courses and expeditions ranging from introduction to advanced level, including British Canoeing awards.
Away from the coast, Cornwall's inland lakes offer calm, sheltered water that's ideal for beginners and families. Siblyback Lake, on the edge of Bodmin Moor near Liskeard, and Stithians Lake, near Redruth, are both run by the South West Lakes Trust and offer kayak, canoe and paddleboard hire, courses, and the option to launch your own equipment. If you want to buy your own kit, Cornwall Canoes, near Indian Queens, is the county's largest specialist paddlesport retailer.
Guided tours and hire around Newquay, Padstow, Rock and Port Isaac.
4 Treffry Centre, South Quay Hill, Newquay, Cornwall TR7 1HT
A long-established Cornwall adventure operator, running since 1998, offering guided kayaking on the Camel Estuary at Padstow alongside coasteering, surfing and stand up paddleboarding at locations across the north coast including Harlyn, Treyarnon and Mother Ivey's Bay.
Dinham Farm, St Minver, Wadebridge, Cornwall PL27 6RH
Operating from a base between Wadebridge and Polzeath, Cornish Adventure's kayaking sessions use the tide to explore the Camel Estuary, taking in Rock, Padstow, Porthilly and Dinham Creek, with stops at secluded beaches along the way. The same team also runs Cornish Coasteering and Cornish Surfing.
Old Fish Cellar, Port Gaverne, Port Isaac, Cornwall PL29 3SQ
Based in the National Trust-owned cove at Port Gaverne near Port Isaac, Cornish Rock Tors runs guided sea kayaking trips into caves, coves and secret beaches only reachable by water, alongside coasteering, SUP and wild swimming. A second base operates from Towan Beach on the Roseland Peninsula on the south coast.
The Pontoon, Rock Road, Rock, Cornwall PL27 6LD
Better known for waterskiing and wakeboarding, Camel Ski School at Rock also hires kayaks for self-guided paddling on the Camel Estuary, with popular routes running to Daymer Bay or upstream towards Wadebridge. A café on-site makes it easy to turn a paddle into a full day out.
Guided tours, hire and courses around Fowey and Falmouth.
Golant, near Fowey, Cornwall
A family-run paddlesports centre tucked away on the peaceful upper reaches of the Fowey River at Golant, offering guided kayak tours - choose between "Creeks & Backwaters" or "Wildlife & Waterfronts" routes - alongside self-led kayak hire and SUP lessons. The team are Paddle UK coaches and licensed Fowey Harbour boatmen.
Falmouth, Cornwall
Based in Falmouth, with the sheltered waters of Falmouth Bay on the doorstep and some of the most dramatic sea kayaking in the country a short drive away, Sea Kayaking Cornwall runs courses, British Canoeing awards and multi-day expeditions ranging from complete beginner through to advanced level.
Sheltered, non-tidal water - ideal for beginners, families and self-launch paddlers.
Common Moor, Liskeard, Cornwall PL14 6ER
Run by the South West Lakes Trust on the edge of Bodmin Moor, Siblyback Lake offers kayak, canoe and paddleboard hire, courses and the option to launch your own equipment, alongside a 3-mile round-lake path, café and lakeside campsite.
Menherion, Redruth, Cornwall TR16 6NW
The largest inland water in West Cornwall, also run by the South West Lakes Trust, Stithians Lake offers kayaking and canoeing alongside sailing, windsurfing and wingfoiling, with hire, courses and self-launch options. A wheelyboat provides accessible water access for disabled visitors.
Canoe Shops House, Newquay Road, St Columb Road, Cornwall TR9 6PZ
The largest specialist kayak and canoe retailer in Cornwall, part of the nationwide Canoe Shops Group. Based just off the A30 near Indian Queens, with over 200 kayaks and canoes in stock, covering sit-on-tops, touring and sea kayaks, fishing kayaks, open canoes and paddlesport clothing and accessories.
Not in Cornwall, but close enough to matter if you're staying in or near Plymouth.
70 Lawrence Road, Plymouth, Devon PL9 9SJ
One of the foremost outdoor education centres in the South West, set on the tidal estuary of Plymouth Sound with views towards the Barbican and Mount Edgcumbe. Runs British Canoeing kayaking and canoeing courses and taster sessions for individuals, families, schools and groups, alongside sailing, windsurfing, coasteering and powerboating.
Tide times, opening hours, prices and course availability are set by individual operators and may change without notice, and coastal and estuary sessions are often weather and tide dependent. Please check directly with each provider before travelling. Cornwall Online is not responsible for the content of external websites linked from this page.
Page last updated: August 2026