Question 1

Coasteering Centre

Accepted Answer

We are located just a short walk from where all the epic coasteers begin, you can change in the comfort of our heated changing rooms, stow away valuables in our lockers and enjoy a hot shower and a well deserved cuppa on your return. We’ll provide you with a warm and comfortable wetsuit, and a top of the range buoyancy aid and helmet.

Question 2

Professional Instructors

Accepted Answer

Our animated, fun-loving yet experienced and well-qualified instructors will take you through the basic techniques and safety procedures before you embark on an awesome coasteer. It’s no coincidence this sport is one of the fastest growing ocean based activities around… it really is a buzz like no other. Our instructors will be there for your safety, encouragement, as a fountain of marine and historical knowledge and be there to capture all the action on film. They enjoy the coasteers as much as anyone, and you’ll definitely feel this energy as they go the extra mile to give you a truly unforgettable experience.

Question 3

Coasteering Equipment

Accepted Answer

We’ll kit you out with a warm, flexible wetsuit to keep you comfortable in the water, along with a high-quality Nookie helmet – the market leaders in coasteering safety equipment. Over the top, you’ll wear a YAK buoyancy aid for maximum support and comfort while you explore the coastline. If you’d rather not get your own shoes wet, we also have a wide range of trainers available to hire on the day.

Question 4

Our Instructors Qualifications

Accepted Answer

Technical advice and Lead Coasteer Instructors signed off by National Coasteering Charter staff
Each instructor is trained using our in house training programme the Coasteer Guide Training Course.
SLSGB Beach Lifeguarding
Ongoing monthly in house safety and scenario training

Question 5

About Us

Accepted Answer

The Perfect location for Coasteering in Newquay
Newquay Activity Centre is ideally situated to access some of Cornwall’s best coasteering.
It’s near the gateway to the Gazzle peninsula, which is where the majority of our coasteering adventures begin. The peninsula offers some of the most beautiful yet ecologically diverse and historically fascinating coasteering routes in Europe. You’ll explore the Tea Caverns cave and smugglers coves, come face to face with our resident seal colony and leap from stunning rock formations into picture-perfect, turquoise blue plunge pools.
Unlike other watersports, coasteering is less dependent on weather conditions, and so we go ahead and operate – come rain, wind or shine. For this reason, and the wide variety of coasteers that we offer, we only postpone 2 – 3 sessions a year due to bad weather.
Our adventure centre is equipped with heated changing rooms, lockers and storage for your belongings, hot outdoor showers and male & female toilets.  We are just a short stroll from Newquay’s famous surfing beaches (Fistral, Towan, Tolcarne & Great Western) and the town centre with its abundance of great restaurants, bars and surf shops.

Question 6

Our Glowing Credentials

Accepted Answer

Newquay Activity Centre have been delivering coasteering in Cornwall for over 20 years, and we’re proud to be the longest running provider of coasteers in Newquay. We’re proud of our number 1 ranking on trip advisor and we are two time winners of the Cornwall Tourism Awards and gold winners of the South West Tourism Awards.
We are proud to have been recognised and sponsored by Rip Curl; they are a leader in watersport equipment, apparel and wetsuits, and have recognised Newquay Activity Centre as a centre of excellence in Cornwall.
We also provide AT for our military services, and have regular visits from the Army, Navy and RAF and are proud to be a recognised centre for Help For Heroes.  This means we regularly organise military adventure training packages that meet their high standards. Their core values of teamwork, developing leadership and other personal qualities is necessary to withstand the rigours of operational service.

Question 7

Equipment

Accepted Answer

A good coasteer is only as good as the route, your instructor and your gear. We pride ourselves on exceeding expectations in all these areas.
Wetsuit 
You’ll be suited up in a top of the range, warm, comfortable and flexible wetsuit. Being toasty warm and having the freedom to move in the water ensures you’ll enjoy the coasteer as much as possible.
Helmet
We are as serious about safety as we are passionate about coasteering. Each person is fitted with a ‘Nookie’ helmet. Nookie are the market leaders in coasteering equipment. Their helmets are comfortable, adjustable and offer unrivalled protection.
Buoyancy Aid
Above your wetsuit but below your rash vest, you’ll be wearing a YAK buoyancy aid. These lightweight flotation aids are ergonomically designed to offer maximum buoyancy and comfort whilst not impeding your coasteering experience.
Trainers
We have a large range of resilient sports trainers available to rent. So instead of you worrying about ruining your own shoes, you can concentrate on enjoying the wild ocean adventure.

Question 8

Can I book online?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can book directly via our website or ou can give us a ring and we can take payment directly over the phone. Call our bookings team on 01637 877722. Our lines are open from 8:00am until 10:00pm.

Question 9

Can I watch if I’m not taking part?

Accepted Answer

The Gazzle is only a short walk from our activity centre and easily accessible for those not wishing to take part in the coasteer. You’ll be able to follow the coasteer group from above.

Question 10

What happens if I want to cancel my lesson?

Accepted Answer

Our cancellation policy is outlined in our terms and conditions. If cancellation occurs 4 weeks or more from the activity’s start date then a full refund will be issued. If the session is cancelled 2-3 weeks before start date then a 50% refund will be given. Unfortunately if the cancellation occurs less than 2 weeks to activity’s start date then no refund can be issued. If the booking is changed more than 21 days prior to the Experience we will make every effort to change the requested booking. Less than 21 days prior to the start, no changes can be made.

Question 11

Will you ever cancel my session?

Accepted Answer

We’re not afraid of some wind and rain, but Mother Nature  occasionally intervenes and makes it impossible to run a safe session. In the unlikely event that this should happen, we would endeavour to change the date of your session or offer an alternative solution. If this were still impossible then a voucher would be issued for the value of the activity.

Question 12

Am I insured?

Accepted Answer

All our sessions are fully insured and are covered in the price of the activity.

Question 13

Can I wear glasses in the water?

Accepted Answer

It is generally best not to wear glasses if possible. Talk to your instructor on the day and explain what level of sight you have without glasses and they will advise. In calm conditions it should not be a problem, however we always suggest glasses have a cord/lanyard, or that they are securely tied onto your buoyancy aid. Using disposable contact lenses is advisable.

Question 14

Should I wear sun cream?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You can burn even when it’s cloudy! We ALWAYS advise that you slap on good slather of factor 30-50 water-resistant sun cream before taking part in one of our activities. You can also use a bit of zinc for extra protection.

Question 15

Can I combine two activities?

Accepted Answer

Why not combine your coasteer with our Super Stand Up Paddle Boarding experience, the summer’s hottest new activity as featured in the Newquay Voice! Navigate your around Newquay’s historical shorelines and natural caverns whilst exploring the history and wildlife of the local area.

Question 16

What is the age limit?

Accepted Answer

The minimum age limit for our group activities is 8 years old. However, we offer private sessions for every activity so no one has to miss out of coasteering in Newquay, Cornwall! All our instructors have years of experience working individually with children of all ages.

Question 17

Will my valuables be safe?

Accepted Answer

Lockers for valuables are available at the centre free of charge to ensure they are safely stowed away whilst you’re down on your coasteering route. There are also storage compartments available for the rest of your gear including clothes and shoes. Please note that any items are left at the guest’s own risk.

Question 18

How far is it from the changing rooms?

Accepted Answer

From changing room to water’s edge is a 5-minute walk! You’ll make your way down to the coasteer starting point as a group.

Question 19

How fit do I need to be for coasteering?

Accepted Answer

Coasteering requires a basic level of fitness. During the route you’ll be doing low level climbing and will need to be able to pull yourself out of the winter onto rocky traverses. It’ll certainly get the heart pumping but you don’t have to be an athlete.

Question 20

How well do I need to be able to swim?

Accepted Answer

We ask that everybody who takes part in our coasteering experiences can swim a minimum of 50 metres. However, you’ll be given a buoyancy aid as part of your coasteering kit so there’s no need to be nervous of you’re not the strongest swimmer!

Question 21

What if I have a medical need?

Accepted Answer

If you have any medical needs, injuries or special requirements, just give us a ring and we can talk through how best we can cater for your needs during your coasteering experience!

Question 22

What time should I arrive for my coasteering experience?

Accepted Answer

Please arrive at the centre at the start time of your session. This can be found on you booking confirmation email. There is no parking outside the centre so please allow plenty of time to park and walk down to our centre on Fore Street. Once there your instructor will welcome you.

Question 23

Tell me more about the caves?

Accepted Answer

One of the other phenomenal experiences that you can come across at Coastline Coasteer on a low tide are the freshly exposed caves waiting for you to explore. Enter Gollum’s Cave for one of the best adventures of your life; you will find it bursting at the seams with vibrant marine life! Beadlet and Strawberry anemones will greet you all around, and the orange breadcrumb sponge, a single living organism plastering the entire roof of the cave, may reveal some unusual culinary delights! Then be amazed by the smugglers’ tales and spooky feel to some of these deep, dark and mysterious areas.

Question 24

How high are the jumps? Do I have to do them all?

Accepted Answer

You’ll have the opportunity to do a variety of different jumps along your coasteer route that vary in height. The highest we jump from is 8 metres but this may vary depending on the tide during your coasteer. You’ll need to demonstrate good technique before your instructor will allow you to do the larger jumps. So you want to coasteer but don’t know if the big jumps are for you? Don’t worry, all jumps are optional! Here at Coastline Coasteer we use our 15 years of experience plotting the area and knowing exactly all the exit and entry points along the way. Our coaches make sure that at any jump or obstacle, there is a way around, whether you swim to the next checkpoint with an instructor, or climb out and follow the route along the breath-taking cliff path, re-joining the others at the next part of the course. There is something for everyone at Coastline Coasteer; it’s not just about the jumps, it’s about you enjoying this environment in different ways. We can tailor every activity to the individual, just let us know!

Question 25

What do I need to wear for my coasteering adventure?

Accepted Answer

All you need to bring is your swimwear, a towel and some old trainers to wear in the water. We will provide you with everything else, including a wetsuit, buoyancy aid, helmet and a rash vest.

Question 26

What do I wear on my feet?

Accepted Answer

Bring a pair of lace-up trainers to wear during your coasteer. They will of course get wet, so you can also hire wetsuit boots or trainers for a small charge of £5.

Question 27

Can I wear my own wetsuit?

Accepted Answer

If you have your own suit please bring it along but wait until you’ve spoken with our instructors before putting it on. Some wetsuits are not suitable for coasteering, specifically shorties and triathlon suits. The same applies for wetsuit boots / beach shoes. Some are suitable and others aren’t. Trainers for example, are perfect for the rocky terrain.

Question 28

Do you see wildlife during your coasteer?

Accepted Answer

We’ve found over 80 marine species along our coasteering route! Whilst making the most of the ocean elements the Gazzle has to offer, we think it is important to consider that it’s a thriving habitat. We work in partnership with the Cornwall Wildlife Trust and endeavour to ensure we make as little negative impact on the ecosystem as possible! You’ll be very likely see Native Seals, Kittiwakes birds, lobsters, and fish whilst on your coasteer.

Bin Bags for litter collection – Towards the end of your coasteer, we always run a 2-minute coasteer clean-up to give back to the environment and help protect the quality of the area. See our Eco Coasteers to find out how we’re helping protect our coastline’s natural wildlife.

Question 29

What equipment do the instructors carry?

Accepted Answer

All our coasteering instructors wear exactly the same equipment as you, but carry some extra gear to ensure your safety.

 	First Aid Kit – Instructors will carry a first aid kit in case of minor injuries along the coasteer route.
 	Peterson tubes – Each instructor will carry a large yellow float, useful as a jump guide for leaps into the water and easily adaptable into a life float for rest and recovery.
 	Throw lines – Your coasteer instructors carry a 15metre, super flexible floating rope that can be tossed out into the water at a moments notice. It’s an essential part of coasteering safety kit and strong enough to pull the weight of multiple people.
 	Towlines – Another piece of useful safety kit is a towline, easily attached if a customer requires towing from the water to the shore during larger swells.
 	Torches – You’ll be exploring rocky nooks and old smugglers caves during our coasteers, so a torch is a useful guide whilst in darker corners.
 	Mobile phone – One instructor carries a mobile phone during the coasteer, protected by waterproof casing and fully charged in case of emergency.
 	Goggles – Goggles are an optional extra if you’d like to peak under the water’s surface on a clear and sunny day! The water is very clear in the Gazzle.
 	Diving knife – Useful for cutting old fishing lines

Question 30

What equipment do you use in coasteering?

Accepted Answer

Wetsuits – You’ll be given a full body 5mm neoprene suit designed to prevent chill whilst submerged in water.

Buoyancy aid – Our non-obstructive buoyancy aids zip up like flotation jackets, designed to ensure you bob in the water and can move freely for climbing!

Helmet – You’ll be clambering up and along rocky outcrops during your coasteer, so the helmet will protect you from any unstable debris that may fall during your activity.

Question 31

Can you do coasteering in the winter?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Coasteering is a year round activity, you just need a few extra bits of kit to keep you warmer in winter months! We even coasteer all the way up to Christmas. Check out our popular New Year coasteers in aid of SSAFA, the armed forces charity.

Question 32

Why should I try coasteering with Newquay Activity Centre?

Accepted Answer

Coasteering in Cornwall is an exhilarating and adrenaline fuelled activity during which you explore the inter-tidal impact zone between high and low tides. If done without instruction and expert knowledge of the area, coasteering can be a hazardous activity in an unpredictable environment. Having been recognised as a top centre for cultural activities, our professional instructors will lead you in navigating the borders between coast and sea safely, whilst incorporating ledge leaps with low level traversing, wild swimming and natural rapids. We’re also just 500m from the Sunday Times’ No.1 beach for activities, Fistral Beach.

Question 33

Is it safe?

Accepted Answer

All our Instructors are fully qualified Beach and Surf Safety Lifeguards, ISA surf Instructors and Coasteering trailblazers. They’ve undertaken extensive First Aid training and we endeavour as an Activity Centre to regularly train our staff so they have experience in all weather and water conditions. All coasteering routes have been risk assessed and developed to ensure an adrenaline-fuelled but low risk coasteer. We also work in close partnership with the RNLI presence on every beach to ensure your safety in and out of the water. Check out one of our training courses here.

Question 34

Does the Gazzle have an interesting past?

Accepted Answer

The Gazzle is steeped in history, playing host to the UK’s



steepest lifeboat slip, deep tea caverns once used by plundering pirates and the ominous Dead Man’s Cove, a rocky inlet responsible for making wrecks of many ships! During our Heritage Coasteers, you’ll be taken on a journey of historical discovery along the coasteer route!

Question 35

What are the best parts of coasteering?

Accepted Answer

Lead Coasteer Instructor, Brendo gives us the lowdown:

“It’s the combination of going with the flow of the waves as they push and pull you, and being so hands on with the coastline. You’re really close up to native wildlife like seals and lobsters; it’s exciting and nerve wracking all in one. Then there is the darkness and quiet of the caves, with so much history to those caverns it’s great to know you’ve shared them with pirates from years ago.”

See our top coasteering tips to know for when you go!

Question 36

When did coasteering start in Newquay?

Accepted Answer

The activity started in 1986, when Andy Middleton from TYF began running coasteering as a guided experience. It’s now represented by an advisory organisation, the National Coasteering Charter which monitors operating standards, training standards, upholds sustainable practices, represents coasteering providers nationally to other governing bodies and continually pushes the improvement of coasteering safety. The activity is also discussed regularly at meetings of the Coasteer Charter Symposium.

Question 37

What is coasteering?

Accepted Answer

Coasteering originated as a combination of mountaineering  and orienteering, and was first talked about in the guidebook for climbing in Devon. 

The activity combines sea swimming, low level climbing, traversing, natural rapid riding and ledge leaps into deep water plunge pools. We run our coasteers along the Gazzle, the Cornish word for armpit and a sheltered stretch of coastline hosting an abundance of native wildlife. Coasteering in Newquay, Cornwall is a great way to get hands on with the landscape and see our coastal flora and fauna up close.

We offer over seven different coasteering activities, including our popular North Coast Challenge and Low Tide coasteers. These use the tide to our advantage, allowing maximum water in the deep water plunge pools for leaps and exciting rapids around the coastal rocks. It’s also been named as a Top 5 beach activity by Cornwall Life Magazine.

Coasteering

Adventure Gully

Coasteer & Super SUP

Family & Private Group Coasteer

Family Coasteer & Super SUP

Coasteer Snorkel & Super SUP

North Coast Challenge

Low Tide Coasteer

Gold Select Private Coasteer

Why Coasteering activities with us?

Coasteering Centre

Professional Instructors

Coasteering Equipment

What Do People Say About Our Coasteering Activities?

Let’s start your adventure!

Our Experience