Ocean Vertical

Ocean Vertical is an outdoor activity provider with a purpose.

We are Scotland’s ethical adventure company, committed to protecting the natural environment and leaving the lightest of footprints as we interact with it. The wild places in our world are precious, and we want to give people the chance to experience their majesty in a responsible, sustainable way, before returning to civilisation with a changed persepcitve.

Luckily for us, it’s not too hard to find wild places here in Scotland. Our headquarters is on the North Sea coast of East Lothian, near the town of Dunbar. This is a perfect place for our favourite watersports - Surfing, Paddleboarding and Coasteering. There are so many beautiful spots in the local area, including Belhaven Bay, Seacliff Beach and Gullane Bay, that we can get out into the ocean throughout the year in all kinds of conditions.

As well as watersports, we lead excursions into the Scottish Highlands. We are passionate about Mountaineering, combining the thrills of summiting challenging peaks with the use of Leave No Trace principles. Finally, we put on some good, old-fashioned outdoor activities like Archery and Axe Throwing.

As a team of instructors, we have decade’s worth of experience leading outdoor expeditions. We put this to good use to ensure that every activity is enjoyable, safe and responsible. We cater to confirmed adventurers as well as more casual customers, offering advanced training in a number of areas.

Take a look at our activities and let us know what inspires you!

Are you ready for Scotland to surprise you?

Then join Ocean Vertical for a Surfing session that will change the way you think about watersports in this country. When we picture the North Sea, it’s usually as a harsh, unforgiving environment. But we know some excellent surf spots around the coast of East Lothian where the waves come in swiftly and reliably, breaking on beaches of golden sand.

This location and these waves are a gift of nature and we do our bit to honour the planet in return. All of our activities have a sense of ethical responsibility at their heart. When it comes to surfing, that means using equipment with a low environmental impact, conducting our sessions in suitable locations and leaving no trace of our presence.

Other activities that we run in East Lothian- just 40 minutes from Edinburgh by the way, are Coasteering and Stand-up Paddleboarding. Inland, we host woodland Axe Throwing and Archery sessions, while we have our sights set further afield for Mountaineering expeditions. The Scottish Highlands are well within our reach, but we don’t stop there - we lead annual trips halfway around the world - to Nepal.

Whatever it is that takes your fancy, choose Ocean Vertical.

Take a journey of discovery with Ocean Vertical.

We are huge fans of Paddleboarding. It’s an extraordinary, non-invasive way to explore the natural world. Our stretch of coastline around Dunbar in East Lothian gives us almost endless opportunities to discover something new and breathtaking. When given the chance to show it off to customers, we usually choose Gullane Bay, Belhaven Bay and Sea Cliff Beach, a unique area where castles tower on cliff tops and rocky stacks lie far out to sea.

We said non-invasive, a quality which is absolutely essential to us. Gone are the days of heading cluelessly out into the natural world, leaving behind a trail of destruction and pollution - our planet deserves our respect. Our ethical mission sees us choosing equipment with sustainable designs and materials, choosing our locations for paddleboarding carefully and using the Leave no Trace principles that protect the environment.

When you show respect to the ocean, it gives you so much back. We’re not just SUP fanatics, we’re also mad about Surfing and Coasteering. When we’re not in the water, you might find us up in the Scottish Highlands going Mountaineering. Or maybe we’ll be chilling out at base, doing Axe Throwing and Archery.

Join us for the adventure that suits you!

Learn to see nature from a different perspective with Ocean Vertical Coasteering.

The intertidal zone is a harsh environment for humans, but it’s actually home to one of the most productive ecosystems on the planet. Join us for a coasteering expedition and you’ll see things you never dreamed of. On top of that, you’ll be engaging in one of the most complete adventure sports around. Coasteering involves swimming and climbing, cliff diving and rockpooling, going with the flow and weathering the waves.

To keep you safe on the unforgiving Scottish coastline - we are based in Dunbar, East Lothian - we have a team of professional guides who’ll teach you how to do the things that your mother told you never to do safely. They’ll also kit you out with special wetsuits, life jackets and helmets to give you protection against the elements. All of that to allow you to focus on the challenge and the spectacular surroundings.

As well as coasteering, we also go Surfing and Paddleboarding on the North Sea. Inland, we enjoy Archery, Axe Throwing and Mountaineering in the Scottish Highlands. Everything we do is in line with our philosophy of ethical adventure.

Enjoy nature the way we were meant to with Ocean Vertical!

Looking for an outdoor sport you can really sink your teeth into?

Ocean Vertical now offers Axe Throwing, the sport of sinking special throwing axes into wooden targets. It’s a fantastic pursuit that lets you connect with the natural world in a way that all of us need once in a while - if not more often! Our axe throwing range is set in beautiful woodland surroundings at our Dunbar, East Lothian Base - that means it’s just 40 minutes' drive from Edinburgh!

Axe throwing might sound risky, but our expert outdoor guides make sure that these sessions are safe and inclusive. When you join us on the range, we give you a safety briefing before you get your hands on the axes. Instruction and guidance are provided throughout, and even the most timid participants will find themselves confidently hurling axes at the targets in no time.

This is an excellent choice for families, friends, stag and hen dos, corporate events and more. If you’re not sure it’s for you, ask us about our Archery sessions, our watersports activities - Surfing, Paddleboarding and Coasteering - or our Mountaineering trips.

Call us or send us a message for more info!

The rustle of the leaves, the twang of a bow string and a thud as the arrow finds its mark.

At Ocean Vertical, we know that there’s something elemental about Archery. That’s why we offer woodland bow and arrow sessions as part of our programme of ethical outdoor activities. Our range is set in the wilds of East Lothian, outside the town of Dunbar. It feels like an isolated spot, but in reality it’s just 40 minutes away from Edinburgh!

We put on sessions for groups of novices, ideal for special occasions like birthdays or stag/hen parties. Corporate groups also find our sessions to give just the right mix of challenge and entertainment. We have the kit and the quality to cater to experienced archers as well, welcoming archery clubs to visit our range and enjoy woodland shooting.

Our instructors are Archery GB qualified, so they’re well prepared for any eventuality. They can also fill you in on the other activities we offer. Archery can be combined with Axe Throwing on the range, or if you want something more immersive, ask about our Coasteering, Paddleboarding, Surfing and Mountaineering experiences.

Any other questions - just shoot!

Enjoy the best Scottish views from the top of a mountain by joining our climbing adventures at Ocean Vertical!

We are an outdoor activity centre located on the largest coastline of East Lothian, sharing our passion for outdoor experiences since 2018. We specialise in running water and land activities to challenge everyone to enjoy the outdoors with some mindful and physical action! Climbing is one of the activities you can enjoy with us.

We usually run our climbing sessions in summer and autumn, welcoming beginner and intermediate climbers. Our diverse and dedicated team will share their knowledge and skills to ensure you have a fun, safe and unforgettable time!

Our practices and philosophy are the cornerstone of our mission and goals. We strive to use thoughtful equipment to cause little to no environmental impact. We advocate for our atmosphere, ensuring you'll learn to take care of your surroundings as you enjoy your favourite sport, climbing is no exception.

Don't be afraid to join us, our staff will carefully teach the best climbing techniques in a stunning East Lothian setting.

Contact Ocean Vertical for further information!