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New for 2024! Free photography with all activities!
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Everything you need to know about the thrilling world of coasteering.
Coasteering is an action-packed adventure that combines swimming, low-level rock climbing, scrambling, and ledge jumping along coastal cliffs and through the sea. You’ll explore tidal pools, traverse rocky ledges, and plunge into the surf. This beginner’s guide covers everything you need to know to dive into this thrilling sport, from essential equipment to safety tips.
Coasteering offers a thrilling way to experience Cornwall’s stunning coastline from a fresh, wild perspective. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a beginner, this guide provides the essential knowledge, safety tips, and techniques to kickstart your coasteering journey.
Newquay, the heart of coasteering in Cornwall, is where the Newquay Activity Centre has been leading coasteering tours along the Gazzle for 25 years with a highly qualified team. Join us for an unforgettable adventure and dive into the excitement and beauty of coasteering!
Coasteering is an exhilarating coastal adventure sport that combines swimming, climbing, and cliff jumping along rugged shorelines, offering a dynamic blend of mountaineering and marine exploration that varies with each outing due to changing tides, ocean conditions, and wildlife encounters.
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Coasteering involves a diverse range of activities including sea swimming, low-level rock traversing and scrambling, cliff jumping into deep water pools, and exploring coastal caves, all under expert guidance and with appropriate safety equipment.
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Coasteering participants need to bring swimwear, old lace-up shoes with hard soles, and a towel, while all other essential safety equipment including wetsuits, buoyancy aids, and helmets are provided by the organisers.
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Coasteering instructors are extensively trained and equipped with additional safety gear, including first aid kits, Peterson tubes, throw lines, towlines, torches, waterproof mobile phones, and diving knives, to ensure participants' safety throughout the adventure.
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Coasteering has a rich history and was first discovered on the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales, the new activity quickly caught the hearts and minds of outdoor enthusiasts and it wasn’t long before the it spread to Cornwall, where the spectacular rocky cliffs, caves, beaches and gullies make the perfect coasteering playground.
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Coasteering safety is ensured through proper equipment, highly trained guides, thorough safety briefings, and careful assessment of weather and ocean conditions, with instructors qualified in lifeguarding and first aid, and routes designed for excitement within controlled risk parameters.
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Coasteering is available year-round, with thicker wetsuits and additional gear provided for colder months, allowing enthusiasts to enjoy the activity from summer through winter.
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For a safe and enjoyable coasteering experience, bring your own shoes, follow your guides' instructions, stay focused while moving, ensure each foot or handhold is secure, work together as a team.
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Coasteering is an active and adventurous activity that involves traversing your way around coastlines. You’ll mix sea swimming, low level climbing, natural rapid riding and ledge leaps into deep water plunge pools as you explore the more rugged parts of the coast.
Coasteering has a rich history and was first invented on the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales. At first it was just a way for climbers to access hard to reach coves and crags but quickly grew into an activity in its own right. The new activity caught the hearts and minds of outdoor enthusiasts and it wasn’t long before the it spread to Cornwall, where the spectacular rocky cliffs, caves, beaches and gullies make the perfect coasteering playground.
Coaasteering was named by combining the words; mountaineering and coast. The word ‘coasteering’ appears first to have been used in the 1973 book ‘Sea Cliff Climbing’ by Edward C Pyatt. It’s the best of both worlds, with all the splendour and fun of a hike mixed in with the thrill and wonder of the coastal environment.
No coasteering trip is ever the same, from tides, to ocean conditions, to wildlife spotting, to the team you coasteer with, it’s built up of sea swimming, low level traversing, cliff jumping and caving, every element combines to produce an experience you’ll never forget. To understand what each of these elements involve check out the mini-guide below…
As part of your coasteering experience you’ll take part in short open water swims. You’ll navigate coastal waters, swim through calm, rough, and white water areas and tackle tidal currents and pools. If you’re lucky you may get to experience whirlpools and natural rapids. All under the expert guidance of your team of instructors. You’ll also be equipped with wetsuits and buoyancy aids, safely allowing you to explore the sea environment, and letting you connect with the natural marine landscape.
Low level traversing and scrambling is just how it sounds! You’ll move across the rocky coastline at or near sea level over the rocks, through caves and round the cliffs. You’ll climb, scramble, and navigate the rocks and rugged terrain without necessarily entering the water. There’s elements of rock climbing and hiking involved and, you’ll be using your hands and feet to help you move across rocks and through crevasses. Safety gear may be used to ensure secure passage over challenging sections.
One of the most exhilarating parts of coasteering is cliff jumping, don’t be deterred by the scary sounding name, you’ll be jumping off of ledges of a variety of heights into deep water pools. They are all tried and tested and you’ll have a guide with you at the top and bottom keeping you safe at all times. The jumps are a huge thrill and an amazing addition to your coasteering experience, but if they’re not for you, not to worry! Your guides will always have an alternative route at the ready, just in case!
The caves around the Gazzle are steeped in history, once the hidden secrets of smugglers and pirates they now home an abundance of wildlife from seals to seabirds. Your guides will take you safely in and around the caves exploring the subterranean worlds they have to offer. Expect hidden caverns offering mystery and challenging obstacles – the tide has shaped each cave into unique geological formations that are fascinating to discover.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
All our coasteering instructors wear exactly the same equipment as you, but carry some extra gear to ensure your safety.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
All our sessions are fully insured and are covered in the price of the activity.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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