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10 Best Places To Paddle Board In Cornwall

With warm weather and having the longest stretch of continuous coastline in Britain, Cornwall is one of the UK’s most visited holiday destinations. Known for its world-renowned beaches, it has become a paradise for paddle boarders and surfers, offering many places to discover, from coves to nooks. From the wild sea, dramatic coastline to varied waters, Cornwall should be at the top of any paddle boarders place to visit, but we have you covered if you’re wondering where to start.

10 Best Places To Paddle Board in Cornwall

Whether you’re a beginner or expert, below we’ve listed the top ten places to get out on your paddle board first in Cornwall.

Porthcurno Beach, South Cornwall

With envious white sands and stunning turquoise waters, you’d be forgiven for wondering whether you’ve been stranded on a tropical island when visiting the stunning beach of Porthcurno. It offers paddle boarders the chance to launch from the beach at low tide and has the jagged coast to explore and the naturally balanced Logan Rock about 30 metres above the sea. It also has secret coves and provides a little solitude away from the busy towns and beaches.

Castle Beach, Falmouth, Cornwall

While mainly shingle at high tides, Castle Beach has beautiful cliffs and shallow pools, making it the perfect beach for paddle boarders. When out on the water, you have the choice to follow the cliffs around and join Carrick Roads (also known as the Fal River Estuary) or remain beachside, where at low tide, you can explore rock pools. As a bonus, parking at Castle Beach is easy with free parking on the road and a gentle walk down to launch your board. WeSUP is also close by allowing the hiring of equipment and lessons if needed.

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Wadebridge & Camel Estuary, North Cornwall

Visiting Wadebridge and Camel Estuary has many opportunities for paddle boarders, having access to many beaches and slipways from its watery paths. You can even paddle board from Padstow to Wadebridge if you’re seeking a challenge. Whatever the adventure you’re looking for, this Estuary has it. It should be said, it’s pretty tidal, and the best time for paddle boarding is an hour on either side of high tide if you’re not confident in choppy waters. If you’re a beginner or wish to hire, Camel Ski School provides lessons for paddle boarding and other watersports.

Harlyn Bay, Padstow, Cornwall

Offering gorgeous clear waters, stunning cliffs, and sheltered waters, Harlyn Bay in Padstow is a beauty to visit for paddle boarding. You can launch from the left side and paddle across to Trevone to see rock formations and coves. When the high tides arrive, you can see more of the pools and shore life, offering the best of Cornwall on a plate. The Harlyn Surf School also offers lessons for paddle boarders, both beginner up to expert.

Sennen Cove, West Cornwall

Sennen Cove is a family-friendly beach that even has a hire shop on the sand and plenty of water to explore for more family fun. It can get quite busy on hot days, but it does provide the chance to paddle out from the small harbour by the lifeboat house. Be on the lookout when on the water because paddle boarders have even witnessed a humpback whale or seals. The waters tend to be calm and perfect for beginners but always check before travelling.

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Helford Passage, West Cornwall

Helford Passage is a calm and pleasant place for both novice and advanced paddle boarders with easy access to both the River Helford and the coastline of Falmouth Bay. On calm days, it can be the perfect place for beginners and a beautiful place to visit for those experienced with creeks, coastline and plenty of wildlife to spot. There’s a SUP hire for those who need equipment, and be aware there’s a small fee to launch from the slipway into the water in the summer months.

Lantic Bay, South East Cornwall

If you want to visit a place hidden away, Lantic Bay is the perfect place for you and is often missed by paddle boarders and surfers alike because of it. Most people come by boat for these beaches’ picturesque and tropical feel, but the clear and calm water makes it the perfect place for some quiet paddle boarding, snorkelling or kayaking. Keep an eye on the incoming tide as it swallows a large chunk of the beach, but it’s a relatively peaceful bay with calm waters.

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Fowey River, South Cornwall

Tucked away at the bottom of a steep-sided valley, the Fowey Estuary covers almost 1,000 acres and offers the chance for paddle boarders to head upriver towards Golant and Lostwithiel or towards the mouth and out to sea. It is also perfect for any beginner paddle boarder as the water is calmer and has multiple hires and paddle boarding schools, such as Fowey River Hire.

St Michael’s Mount, St. Michael’s Cornwall

If you’re after calm waters and a 14th-century castle to gaze at, then look no further than St Michael’s Mount in Marazion. You have the option to paddle out into the sweeping bay and see the other side, where there’s always varied conditions or remain in the sheltered sandy beach if you’re a beginner. Afterwards, consider grabbing a refreshment from the coffee shop on the harbour, and for equipment, you can hire right from Mounts Bay.

Porthallow, The Lizard, West Cornwall

This quiet and quaint cove is in the heart of the stunning Lizard Peninsula between St Keverne and the Helford. Its sheltered location makes it the perfect place for some paddleboarding. Head out to explore ‘The Manacles’, where it’s suggested that over a hundred boats have been shipwrecked and has become a hotspot for marine wildlife. Be warned, there’s no lifeguard supervision, hire shop or school close by, so this beach is better suited for experienced paddle boarders over beginners.

Cornwall is a huge lover of water sports, with paddle boarders rushing to the coast each year to enjoy the weather, water and sights. The amount of places you can visit with a paddle board in Cornwall is incredibly varied, with it offering plenty of rivers, estuaries or open sea. Because of this, they have somewhere perfect whether you’re a beginner or expert, making a visit to Cornwall even more worth it.

Is there somewhere you think we’ve missed? Please let us know below in the comments.

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