1 Sailing
2 Sea Kayaking
3 Coasteering
4 Cliff climbing
5 Walking
6 Cycling
7 Horse riding
8 Wild Swimming
9 Rowing
+ Best for solo travellers
1 Sailing
This is a brilliant way to explore any coastline. No experience required on any coastal voyage. You can sail for a day, a short break, a week or more. The great thing about voyages longer than a day is that your accommodation comes with you, all your food is provided.
You can go ashore to explore the headlands, coves, harbours, and beaches along the coast. Keep a lookout for the wildlife, in the sea, in the air and on the cliffs and shorelines, seals, puffins and dolphins are found in many places.
In the evening a quiet anchorage is found for a delicious super and the glory of a sunset over the sea before settling down in a comfy berth overnight. All normal facilities are onboard. Simple and perfect.
2 Sea Kayaking
Sea kayaking is a fantastic way for you to see the coastline from a new perspective. Spot seals and sea birds whilst taking in stunning views in this wild environment. Here are some top tips to get you from landlubber to a safe sea kayaker.
Research – The weather and water conditions.
Practice on estuaries and harbours
Raid your wardrobe – No need to be catwalk ready but you do need to choose the right outfit.
Be ready for anything – The safety gear you wear and take is super important.
Know what you’re doing – If you take on one bit of advice let this be it! The ocean looks exciting…and it is…but it’s only fun if you know what you’re doing.
Enjoy the ride! Sea kayaking is all about enjoyment and if you’ve had the right tuition and done your prep, you’ll have a fantastic day on the water. Go have an awesome time!
For more information visit https://gopaddling.info
3 Coasteering
Coasteering is a cross between rock hopping and an obstacle course. It is similar to canyoning: you are moving on foot and will probably get wet and it does not normally involve ropes. The aim of coasteering is to traverse the “impact zone”, where the sea hits the land between low water and just above high water, in the most fun way possible.
Coasteering is a relatively new adventure activity. The word first appeared in a coastal climbing book in the 1970s. But its invention, and evolution into what we know today, is attributed to surfers in Pembrokeshire in the 1980s. This is where it was first developed commercially and Pembrokeshire is still one of the top coasteering destinations in the UK.
For more information visit Coasteering
4 Cliff Climbing
Most people do not start out sea cliff climbing. For the majority, their introduction to climbing comes in the form of visits to a local indoor wall, before venturing out onto single pitch crags such as Stanage. Your weather worries are purely if the rock is dry or not.
Sea cliff climbing? It’s quite a big step up, with a whole plethora of new skills needing to be learnt, practised and perfected in order to have a safe, productive day out. Even the smaller ‘single pitch’ sea-cliffs can catch the unwary out.
But given the right conditions, the right knowledge, the correct equipment and skillset, some of the best, most rewarding days of your climbing life can be had on a sea-cliff.
For more information visit See Cliff Climbing
5 Walking
From the remote Orkney Islands to the friendly Channel Islands, and the wonderful coastlines in between – walking the UK coastal routes offers magnificent geological formations, beautiful beaches, secluded bays and dramatic coastal paths perched high above crashing seas. These are invigorating walks with the WOW factor!
With thousands of miles of coastline to choose from, the UK is one of the world’s best locations for picture-perfect long or short hikes by the sea.
Starting and stopping options
Join a sail and walking voyage, get dropped off and collected.
1 Do a circular walk
2 Use two cars and position a car at each end.
3 Use a taxi or bus to return to your starting point
4 Join an organised walking party where your baggage and accommodation are provided at each end of your day’s walk.
5 Wild camp where allowed.
For more information Ramblers
6 Cycling
Many companies offer guided cycling tours along beautiful coastlines. If you are an independent cyclist these routes can give you lots of inspiration.
Many of the logistic problems of walking are similar to walking the coast line.
For more information visit Pedal Power
7 Horse Riding
There are excellent beach riding opportunities both in the UK and many other parts of the world.
In the UK the best places are Pembrokeshire, you may be able to ride an ex racehorse, i can personally recommend that. North Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Scotland, Ireland and North Wales all have great rides.
For more information Equestrian Holidays
8 Wild Swimming
This is an awesome way to explore the coast, it’s not something you should do on your own but with an experienced group or under supervision with safety boats it can be a fabulous time.
The unique benefit from wild swimming is the cold. Yes the cold. It is an amazingly healthy thing to do. You do not need to go to the extremes of Wim Hof to benefit from it.
Check it out on the Wild Swimming Society website.
Wild Swimming Day Sails in Cornwall
9 Rowing
With a dinghy you can row into quiet creeks and tiny coves too small for much else. More stable than a kayak and easy to carry a picnic in unlike a stand up paddle board.
For more information see Tallulah’s messing about in boats voyages.
+ Best for solo travellers
If you want to have a great holiday exploring the coast on your own there are bonuses if you can join a group. You gain security by being a member of a party enjoying it like yourself and it is a great way to meet and make new friends with similar interests.
No single supplements.
Just so you know there are single berths available on Classic Sailing with no extra charge.
