Top 5 Places to Paddle in the South West

Top 5 Places to Paddle in the South West

As the saying goes, South West is best. It is hard to deny that they often have some stunning weather and have a range of outstanding scenery. But did you know it is also home to a lots of water that is perfect to paddle on. So we have teamed up with Paddle UK partner Paddle Logger who are based down there, to bring you the top 5 places to paddle in the South West.

Saunton Sands

From Saunton Sands to Baggy Point and back, with some fun in the waves at the end!!!

Recognised as a World Surfing Reserve by Save the Waves, North Devon encompasses small rocky coves with long sandy beaches. It’s a beautifully scenic coastline to paddle, and Saunton Sands has the perfect waves to learn how to surf your stand up paddle board. This route started at Saunton Sands, out along the cliffs and across Croyde Bay to Baggy Point, a rugged headland protected by the National Trust.

The North Devon coastline can be very exposed and is best on a calm day unless you’re an experienced paddler who likes the waves. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, porpoises and seals, seabirds, and you can even see Lundy Island in the distance in clear weather.

Open our favourite route in the PaddleLogger app

Kingsbridge Estuary

The Kingsbridge Estuary is an iconic spot for paddling, with many paddling legends, SUP schools and hire centres nearby. Start at either Kingsbridge or Salcombe and paddle with the tide, have some lunch, and then paddle back again. NB the river at Kingsbridge only has water a few hours either side of high tide, so don’t get stuck in the mud!

While much of the Kingsbridge Estuary is relatively sheltered from wind and bad weather, there are still a few open areas which can make it a tough battle in certain directions. Check the weather and plan your route accordingly. Maybe instead of paddling back to the start, you could paddle from one town to the other, pack up your board and catch the bus back!!

Open our favourite route in the PaddleLogger app

St Michael’s Mount

St Michael’s Mount is an iconic location, and on a high tide, possible to paddle around. Launch from Station Car Park in Long Rock, which has great access.  It’s a pretty spot and if you can get up for sunrise it’s a really special place. Sometimes dolphins around the area when you paddle and you see a few fishing boats coming and going from Penzance and Newlyn harbours. The Mount itself is really impressive and feels really quite intimidatingly large when you look up at it from the water level. It’s cool to be able to see it from all angles as a reward for paddling around. Beware looking up that you don’t get caught out by the swell knocking you off your balance. It is very important to check the tides and wind as it can be very exposed on a windy day.

Tides are important as rocks become exposed near to the causeway, so carefully navigate your route, sticking closer to land near the causeway is better. Also nice to know safety wise that there is coast watch keeping an eye over that bay! 

Open our favourite route in the PaddleLogger app

Torbay

This is one of my absolute ‘go to’ paddles in Torbay.

Start at Meadfoot  and paddle to Torre Abbey Sands and back. The total return journey is about 6km so a very ‘doable’ paddle with tons of coastal features to see along the way.

As soon as you ‘turn right’ from Meadfoot beach, you leave people behind; it’s just you, the cliffs and the sea (with an occasional seal and dolphin). You can explore some of Torbay’s most impressive geological features such as Daddyhole Plain (where legend says the Devil lived in a limestone cave) and the famous natural arch named London Bridge. Torbay is well known for its sheltered position and calm waters. But this route takes you around a small headland, so you may lose the protection from the wind.

It is necessary to cross the harbour to get to Torre Abbey Sands so take sensible precautions and be aware of other water users. If you have enough energy when you return to Meadfoot, paddle on towards Thatcher’s Rock, named because it looks like a thatcher is climbing it to lay a straw roof. There is an abundance of sea birds and marine life to admire here, but be aware this is where tidal flow does start to come into play.

Open our favourite route in the PaddleLogger app

Fowey Estuary

The Fowey Estuary is a real treat for both the novice and advanced paddler. Starting from the lovely village of Golant, you can launch onto the water near the Encounter Cornwall shop to head up one of the three routes to explore the upper estuary. One of our favourites is Golant to Lerryn.

With contactless pay-parking spots by the water you can launch from one of the two slipways (donations to Golant Quay Users always welcome) and turn left. We recommend heading out 1.5 hours before the high tide, stopping in Lerryn just before and leaving no later than 45 after the high tide ensuring that you have enough water for a there and back trip.

You can buy a picnic from The Fisherman’s Arms in Golant, drinks and SUP snacks from Encounter Cornwall or grab yummy treats from Lerryn Village shop on arrival. Once in Lerryn there is a village green to enjoy a rest and toilets directly next to the river. 

Open our favourite route in the PaddleLogger app