Private River Kayak Tour

• Informative and relaxing private river kayak lesson and tour
• Qualified and knowledgeable kayak instructors
• Heated changing rooms and secure storage for your valuables
• Hot outdoor showers and male & female toilets
• Full safety briefing, kit familiarisation and weather condition checks
• Wetsuits, buoyancy aids, helmets, kayaks and paddles included
• Wildlife watching and identification
• Tales of the area’s rich history, biodiversity and heritage
• 10% off further Newquay Activity Centre activities
• Discount card for apres kayak food & drink at local bars and cafes
• 15% off at Newquay’s Rip Curl store
• A dog sitter if you require it. Just contact us for more details.
• Excellent bad weather options in case of adverse conditions – we’ll get you guys in the water! This activity can go ahead in the rain – no worries!

Tailored Private Kayak Adventure

Our private river tours take in the most beautiful stretches of the Gannel estuary. Witness friendly native wildlife, blue lagoons and golden sand banks away from the hustle and bustle of popular beaches. Our instructors will move at a pace that suits you, stopping at areas of interest to investigate more closely or answer any questions.

We’ve worked with historians, conservation groups and the local community to deliver an unforgettable river kayak experience. Whether you’re interested in the native river wildlife, the River Gannel’s history, or you want to try river snorkelling, we’ve got it covered! Just let us know if you want to add these options to your package.

Learning The Fundamentals

Our travelling HQ (the Newquay Activity Centre van) will provide a nomadic base from which your private group will receive their kayak equipment and safety brief. Set up on the banks of the estuary, you will admire a backdrop of stunning scenery whilst kitting up in a Rip Curl wetsuit, buoyancy aid and helmet.

After grabbing a paddle and a kayak, your experienced instructor will lead you in the basics of paddle strokes, kit familiarity, water safety and signals – finishing with a short warm-up before heading down to the water.

What Will You Learn?

Our Private River Kayak Tours are the perfect place to hone your skills and get the most from our expert instructors. Armed with over 20-years worth of experience and knowledge, you will have the opportunity to tap into the mind of a professional and boost your confidence on the water.

You will learn essential kayak skills including correct paddle techniques, efficient stroke patterns and how to use the weather to your advantage. Using a combination of kayak position and river flow to get from one bank to another is known as ‘ferry gliding’. This is a fun and technical skill that you will have plenty of time to learn and practice during your private tour!

Kayaking with Newquay Activity Centre is about more than just paddling; it is a technical, curated journey through some of Cornwall’s most spectacular environments. From the rugged coastline to the tranquil Gannel Estuary, we offer a level of professionalism that standard rental shops simply cannot match.

Here is why we are the #1 rated provider in Newquay:

Official Paddle UK Delivery Partner

We are one of the few centers to hold this prestigious status. It is a testament to our sky-high standards of delivery. Our program is developed using technical advice from top-level paddlesports experts (like John Paul Eatock), ensuring that our lesson quality is industry-leading. You aren’t just going for a paddle; you are learning from the best.

Signature Routes & Weather Expertise

We don’t believe in a “one route fits all” approach. Over 30 years, we have developed signature routes that adapt to the daily conditions. Whether it’s high-tide cave exploration on the coast or a sluice-ride adventure in the Gannel Estuary, we possess the local knowledge to ensure you get the best water conditions every single day.

Elite Instructors

Our guides are career professionals. Every kayak instructor holds the prestigious Paddlesports Leader Award and they have completed ongoing CPD through our Outdoor Instructor Academy training programmes. They are also:

• SLSGB Beach Lifeguards
• Trained in Sea Kayak Leadership (Non-Tidal & Tidal).
• Experts in local history and geology, making your tour educational as well as active.

Unblemished Safety Record

We take safety as seriously as we take fun. We work alongside the RNLI to ensure conditions are appropriate, and we are the go-to choice for local schools (like Newquay Tretherras) because of our rigorous standards. We are:

• Fully AALA licensed (Adventure Activities Licensing Authority).
• Newquay’s only recognised SLSGB Training Centre.
• Covered by £10 million public liability insurance.

Trusted by VIPs & Media

When high-profile clients need a flawlessly executed experience, they come to us. We have hosted the England Rugby Team, the England Surfing Team, and have been featured by The Sunday Times and BBC Radio One. We are also proud 3x Cornwall Tourism Award Winners.