Offers of Paddle Boarding Devon

Coastlines, shaped by the forces of the land and sea, are the natural home of explorers. Think of a coastal feature - cliff, beach, bay, river, estuary, island - and you’re sure to find it in Devon, unique among English counties for having two separate coastlines and a favourite destination for adventurous spirits. And there’s a new way to discover these hinterlands and intertidal zones: SUP, or Stand Up Paddleboarding. With simple equipment, minimal training and a low price tag, you can take to the water and watch the beauty of the Devonshire coastline reveal itself to you from a paddleboard.

Where are the best places to go Stand Up paddleboarding in Devon?

• Exe Estuary: The river Exe rises near the North Devon coast, but runs across the county to meet the sea in the English Channel. Before reaching the sea, it widens into an estuary with sheltered waters and beautiful surroundings that are perfect for a SUP experience. You can start your journey from the county town, Exeter, at the head of the estuary, Exmouth at its mouth, or the seaside towns of Sidmouth or Budleigh.

• River Teign: You’ll find another estuary where the Teign meets the sea. The South Devon Main Line runs along the North shore of the estuary and up the coast towards Exeter, so if you take a paddleboarding trip from Teignmouth, Dawlish or Shaldon, a train might speed past you on your tranquil journey.

• Torbay: Known as the English Riviera, the pretty coast of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham is well set up for tourists. You can find paddleboards at many of the sandy beaches, including Babbacombe Bay, Meadfoot Beach, West Abbey Sands, Goodrington Beach and Broadsands Beach, and escape the crowds of sunbathers and swimmers.

• River Dart: Mediaeval castles guard the mouth of the River Dart Estuary, marking the entrance to 12 miles of navigable waterways to the town of Totnes. There are perfect conditions for a deep water port, sailing, and SUP, which can be the perfect way to see some of the local wildlife and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

• South Devon AONB: This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty covers the coast and inland waterways of the most southerly point of the region. Salcombe on the Kingsbridge Estuary is an ideal place to start an adventure, as are Churchstow, for the River Avon, South Wilton Sands on the West-facing coast, and the River Yealm.

• Plymouth: The largest city, Plymouth sits on the confluence of the Rivers Ply, Tamar and Tay, where they form Plymouth Sound. Although the city has a busy port, there’s so much water here that there’s plenty of space for paddleboarding. On the county line, you can enjoy views of Devon in one way, and Cornwall in the other.

• Bideford and Barnstaple Bay: Moving to the more rural North coast, there are good opportunities around Bideford, Barnstaple and the only town in the country with an exclamation mark in its name, Westward Ho! The River Torridge is a popular place to paddle, where the tide can help you go up and downstream if you time it right, and Fremington Quay in Barnstaple is a good starting point for trips down the River Taw to the Bristol Channel.

• Woolacombe and Saunton: North of the mouth of the River Taw, you’ll find the long, sandy expanses of Woolacombe Beach and Saunton Sands near the town of Croyde. They’re popular surfing spots, but you don’t need to be an expert waverider to get out onto the water. If you choose SUP here you can enjoy the views of the beach, and explore the rocky headland at Baggy Point that separates them.

• Ilfracombe: This is a charming port town where green hills shelter a quaint harbour and secluded beaches. The best places to go paddleboarding are Lee Bay to the East, and Combe Martin to the West, which is inside Exmoor National Park. More rugged and rocky than the beaches of Woolacombe and Saunton, this North-facing coastline is for SUP adventurers.

• Lundy Island: In the middle of the Bristol Channel, Lundy is a steep sided rocky island that rises out of the sea. It’s surrounded by a Marine Conservation Zone which protects the populations of Atlantic Grey Seals, fish and coral, as well as visitors from tropical waters such as leatherback turtles and sunfish. A SUP experience around Lundy will start in Ilfracombe where you’ll travel the 10 miles that separate the island from the coast by boat.

Options for organising an experience

- The simplest way to get paddling in Devon is to find a SUP rental, and there are dozens of them in towns and at beaches around the county to hire equipment by the hour or day. Anyone can hire a paddleboard and have some fun on the water because they’re safe and intuitive to manage, but if you want to get even more out of the experience, we recommend a lesson or a tour. Lessons generally last about 1.5 - 2 hours, and focus on building your technique and confidence on the board. On a tour, the emphasis is on the journey rather than instruction, and you can be taken to see some wonderful things: cliffs at sunset, wildlife, the length of an estuary using the tide to increase your range, the options are endless.

- There are some more imaginative SUP experiences on offer. If you like the idea of the tranquillity, you should choose a SUP yoga session, connecting to your body and the landscape on your personal floating yoga mat. Or if you’re looking for something more adventurous, you can find Mega SUP, with space for you and your friends. There are 4, 8 and 10 person sizes available, and you’ll all have to work together to point the board in the right direction and go exploring - perfect for stag and hen dos!

Requirements to do this activity

Paddleboarding enthusiasts will tell you that it’s one of the best sports out there for improving your core strength, but you don’t need to be in peak physical condition to enjoy it. In fact, propelling yourself forwards and changing direction with the long paddle in a standing position is easy to learn and effective for getting around the calm waters, or small waves, off this area's coast. On top of that, their size and stability on the water mean that you’re unlikely to fall in - unless you want to take a dip!

For these reasons, children also get a lot out. In fact, sometimes they get the hang of it before they’re parents, so it’s great fun to try it as a family. In general, children have to be accompanied by adults, and can have their own board as long as there’s equipment of an appropriate size - a full size paddle for example can be too long for a child to manage. But don’t worry, it can be possible for young children (an well behaved dogs!) to ride as passengers on their parent’s boards. If you want to take a tour, check the ability level as longer journeys won’t be suitable for younger children or less confident paddlers.

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