There are many places to explore in South Devon on a paddleboard, each being slightly different in what they offer. From quiet little creeks to paddle up, looking out for maybe a Kingfisher or Egret, through to open estuaries, maybe stopping for a pub lunch. Whatever your trip looks like, with a bit of planning and the right equipment you are set for a great adventure.
Here are a few suggestions that we recommend all within our hire area but of course you can take your boards further afield should you wish.
Lifeguarded Beaches in the Area:
Coastal trips: If you plan to go to the beach we strongly recommend if you are new to paddle boarding and/or you are with a mixed ability group that you head to a lifeguarded beach. Please look at our safety guidelines for paddle boarding as well.
All these beaches are patrolled by lifeguards - we have put when they are operating during the hours of 10am-6pm, to help inform your decisions.
Bantham (Easter Holidays and weekends in April, then daily 1st May to 26th September, Weekends in October and October Half Term)
Challaborough (Daily, 15th May to 26 September)
Sedgewell Cove, Bigbury on Sea (Daily, 1st May to 6th September)
Bigbury-on-sea, Burgh Island (Daily, 10th July to 5th September)
Blackpool Sands (Daily, 10th July to 5th September)
Slapton Sands (Daily, 10th July to 5th September)
Hope Cove (Daily, 10th July to 5th September)
Rivers/Estuary Trips: There are four rivers that feed into the South Devon coastal waters from the higher ground of Dartmoor and one Estuary/Ria.
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The Yealm
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The Erme
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The Avon (Aveton Gifford-Bantham)
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The Dart (Totnes-Dartmouth)
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The Kingsbridge and Salcombe Estuary - you will need to pay a launch fee, direct to the Harbour Authority to paddle on the river at Salcombe
All of these offer many opportunities for trips lasting from a couple of hours through to a full day and you could combine a beach visit with an exploration of a river.
Everyone who books their paddleboard hire with us, will be given the access password to our suggested trips page, that has 7 suggested trips on it - all in downloadable/printable versions.
Here is a free sample of one of these trips:
(Click on the Button)
Access to Suggested Trips Page, which has the following routes on it:
The South Devon Coast (Hope Cove, Thurlestone/South Milton, Bantham, Burgh Island, Mothercombe/Wembury)
The River Dart (Totnes/Dartmouth)
The River Yealm (Noss Mayo/Newton Ferrers/Wembury)
The River Erme (Mothecombe/Wonwell)
Kingsbridge to Salcombe Trip
Exploring the Salcombe Harbour Area
Many locations and trips will be dependent on the weather, surf forecast and tide times - here are a couple of sites for checking these prior to your trip - click on each of the logos:
For Maps
For Weather
For Surf Conditions
