Coastal Adventures, Devon

Spring really is getting established, and as the days get longer and the temperatures start to climb the right way, the opportunity to step off dry land for some water-based adventures gets more alluring! Based in Barnstaple, Coastal Adventures is a family-run business dedicated to delivering the most enjoyable experience along beautiful stretches of the North Devon coast. Passionate about sharing the best the coastline they love has to offer the team specialise in bespoke activity sessions matching your groups needs with the best equipment, changing locations, routes and session times to suit your abilities and requests.

Employing years of knowledge and skills, friendly instructors and guides will show you hidden gems of the rocky shores which have taken years of searching to find. All levels are catered for, whether you fancy a gentle paddle, exploring hidden caves, or launching yourself off big cliffs! Whichever you choose, you’re guaranteed an amazing adventure boasting incredible views and scenery, with professional photographs captured by the team as mementoes of an unforgettable day. As they say: “Our most important values are your enjoyment and safety”.

Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP)

Explore the oceans and rivers by paddling along them! It’s no surprise that SUP, which originated in Hawaii, has become one of the fastest growing board sports in the world. One of the most accessible ways to enjoy beautiful stretches of open water, Coastal Adventures’ specially-designed large and very stable boards, perfect for learning this relaxing pastime.

The team specialise in bespoke sessions tailored to suit you, with plenty of options for different abilities and fitness levels. First-time SUP-ers will be taken through all the basics to inspire confidence on the water, or choose a longer tour of the coastline, if you’ve been paddling before. Progress to riding waves, or just enjoy the peace of exploring North Devon rivers, estuary, coast and wildlife.

Locations include Fremington Quay, Barnstaple: a gorgeous protected estuarial inlet with stunning views of North Devon, and Instow Beach, near Bideford: a beautiful sandy beach on the entrance to the Taw and Torridge river with multiple options of paddling routes for differing ability levels. Whatever you fancy, all equipment (paddleboard, paddle, buoyancy aid and wetsuit), plus experienced coach and guide are included.

Coasteering

Experience the outdoors by becoming a part of it! Adrenaline junkies can opt for coasteering, an exhilarating activity will take you on an adventure like no other. You will leap from rocks, swim through gullies, explore caves, and traverse across cliff bases, whilst enjoying the most breath-taking views that North Devon has to offer. Views extend across to South Wales, with epic jumps and swims, all tailored according to your group’s experience and preferences.

With safety as premium, all the equipment you need is included and quality safety tested, with thoughtful extras provided if required, like gloves to protect your hands. Your local, professional guides have grown up in North Devon and are fully qualified and accredited Beach Lifeguards and National Coasteering Charter members, trained in location-specific coasteering techniques, as well as experienced, professional, encouraging, adaptive and supportive.

The two carefully hand-picked coasteering locations have been chosen for the variety of terrain, views, and opportunities for adventure:

Offering the best coasteering in the area, the sedimentary rock formations at Hele Bay, Ilfracombe, make for perfect deep water drop offs with the biggest accessible jumps around, while remaining sheltered from swells. Enjoy an excellent mix of swimming, bouldering and leaping from the rocks, gradually progressing in height. Amazing views extend across the channel with the Welsh Pembrokeshire Coast being visible on clear days as you make your way west towards picturesque Ilfracombe harbour.

​Facing west in to the wild Atlantic Ocean, coasteering at Croyde enjoys views extending across Westward Ho! and all the way out to Hartland Point, an awesome spot any time of day, but extra-special at sunset. At Croyde you have a choice of two routes for different abilities:

The Coasteering Croyde Fisherman's Steps Adventure provides an epic coasteering session for anyone who wants to explore the gullies and diverse coastline of Baggy Point. With plenty of awesome jumps broken up by short gully swims between each feature, the waves and swells washing in out of these protected gullies mean endless fun for everyone in the group. Although this is the team’s easiest coasteering route, you will still need a reasonable level of fitness and of course, don't forget your sense of adventure!

If you’re looking for a longer tour of the Croyde Coastline with some bigger jumps, longer swims and more challenging rock scrambling sections, the Coasteering Croyde Coastal Cave Adventure is the one for you! Encompassing the Fishermans steps route at the start and then extending further out round Baggy Point, this route becomes more exposed to the swell, with bigger jumps and large caves. With a multitude of features along this area and covering a fair amount of distance, a good level of fitness is required, for a coasteering trip to remember!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We have also put together a list of frequently asked questions at the link below, which include some Top Tips and Did you know information, which you can use to show off with your friends and family

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We hope that you have enjoyed reading our article called Coastal Adventures Devon and that you have found the information above include our FAQ page helpful in deciding on which venue you to choose for your Activities and Days Out