South Devon
Kayak Adventures
Explore Devon's coastline by kayak
- From £39 per person
- 1.5–6 hrs guided tours
- All kit included
- Max 10 per group
Our tours
Pick your paddle
Guided sea kayak trips for every level, all starting from Goodrington Sands in Paignton.
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Most popular
Red cliffs, quiet coves and a beach break at Elberry Cove, paddling south from Goodrington.
From £55 per person
Most popular
Half-Day Coastal Paddle
- 3 hours
- All levels
- Max 10 people
Our most popular trip heads south from Goodrington under the red cliffs, past Saltern Cove, a nature reserve that carries on under the water, to a break on the pebbles at Elberry Cove. Look out for cormorants, seals and the occasional harbour porpoise, with plenty of time for photos.
Included
- Qualified guide
- Kayak and paddle
- Buoyancy aid
- Wetsuit and splash jacket
- Dry bag for your things
- Snack and hot drink on a secluded beach
Good to know
- Minimum age 12
- Suitable for first-timers who are reasonably fit
- Bring swimwear, a towel, a warm layer and water
Meet at Goodrington Sands, Paignton
If the sea isn't safe, we'll move your trip or refund you in full.
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Never paddled before? Learn the basics in the calm water off Goodrington, with a guide beside you.
From £39 per person
Sea Kayak Taster
- 1.5 hours
- Beginners
- Max 10 people
We start on the beach with a short safety talk and how to hold the paddle, then head out into the sheltered water off Goodrington. You learn to go straight, turn and stop, and by the end you are exploring the shoreline on your own kayak.
Included
- Qualified guide
- Kayak and paddle
- Buoyancy aid
- Wetsuit and splash jacket
- Hot drink back on the beach
Good to know
- Minimum age 12, or 8 with a paying adult
- No experience needed
- Bring swimwear, a towel and a warm layer
Meet at Goodrington Sands, Paignton
If the sea isn't safe, we'll move your trip or refund you in full.
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An evening paddle along the bay as the sun goes down and the water turns gold.
From £45 per person
Sunset Paddle
- 2 hours
- All levels
- Max 10 people
We launch about an hour and a half before sunset and paddle along the coast while the light changes, then drift in the bay as the sun goes down. Start times move with the season, so check the date when you book.
Included
- Qualified guide
- Kayak and paddle
- Buoyancy aid
- Wetsuit and splash jacket
- Head torch and hot chocolate
Good to know
- Minimum age 12
- Start time depends on the date of sunset
- Bring a warm layer: evenings on the water are cool
Meet at Goodrington Sands, Paignton
If the sea isn't safe, we'll move your trip or refund you in full.
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Stable kayaks, calm water and a guide who makes it fun, for families with children aged 8 and up.
From £140 per family
Family Paddle
- 2 hours
- Ages 8+
- Max 10 people
A relaxed session in the calmest part of the bay, with games on the water, a beach stop and double kayaks so younger children can paddle with a parent. We keep the group small so every child gets attention.
Included
- Qualified guide
- Kayak and paddle
- Buoyancy aid
- Wetsuit and splash jacket
- Double kayaks for younger children
Good to know
- Children aged 8 to 15 paddle with an adult, up to 2 children per adult
- Family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children: £140, each extra child £30
- Any other group: £45 per adult, £35 per child
- Bring swimwear, towels and a change of clothes
Meet at Goodrington Sands, Paignton
If the sea isn't safe, we'll move your trip or refund you in full.
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A full day to Berry Head: cliff caves, the south coast's biggest guillemot colony and a beach lunch.
From £95 per person
Full-Day Explorer
- 6 hours
- Some experience
- Max 10 people
A full day paddling across the bay to Berry Head. Explore caves in the limestone cliffs, watch the guillemots of the largest colony on the south coast of England and stop for lunch on a quiet beach. The exact route depends on the sea that day.
Included
- Qualified guide
- Kayak and paddle
- Buoyancy aid
- Wetsuit and splash jacket
- Dry bag for your things
- Packed lunch and hot drinks
Good to know
- Minimum age 16
- You should have paddled before, for example on our Taster
- From March to July boats keep out of the guillemot cove, so we watch from outside it
- Bring water, sun cream and a warm layer
Meet at Goodrington Sands, Paignton
If the sea isn't safe, we'll move your trip or refund you in full.
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Your own guide, route and pace, for couples, friends or a team day out.
From £240 per group
Private Tour
- 2 to 6 hours
- Any level
- Max 10 people
Tell us who is coming and what you would like to see, and we will plan a trip just for your group: an easy paddle for beginners, a longer coastal route or a celebration with a beach stop. The price covers up to four people on a half-day trip.
Included
- Qualified guide
- Kayak and paddle
- Buoyancy aid
- Wetsuit and splash jacket
- Dry bag for your things
- Route planned around your group
Good to know
- Half day from £240 for up to 4 people, full day from £480
- £50 for each extra person, up to 10 in total
- Pick a date and time that suits you
Meet at Goodrington Sands, Paignton
If the sea isn't safe, we'll move your trip or refund you in full.
About us
Local guides, small groups
Devon Paddle Co. was started in 2016 by two Paignton locals who grew up paddling Torbay. Today five qualified guides run every trip from Goodrington Sands, and we still lead most of them ourselves.
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Qualified local guides
Every guide holds a British Canoeing sea kayak leader award and knows this coast cove by cove.
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Safety comes first
We check the sea every morning. If it isn’t safe, we move your trip or refund you in full.
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Max five per guide
Never more than five people to each guide, so everyone gets help when they need it.
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Free trip photos
Your guide takes photos on the water and we email them to you after the trip.
Gallery
Life on the water
A few moments from our trips around Torbay.
Reviews
What our paddlers say
Trips with us, in our guests’ own words.
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“Never done kayaking before and was a bit scared, honestly. Really glad I went though, the guide was so patient with me. Loved every minute of it!”
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“Done a few kayak tours before but this one was the best. The small group made a huge difference. It felt like a proper experience, not just a tourist thing.”
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“Really enjoyed it, the views along the coast were gorgeous. Only downside was we couldn’t get into the sea caves as the tide wasn’t right. Guide was lovely though, will definitely book again!”
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“Paddled down to Elberry Cove and had our break on a beach you can only really reach from the water. Our guide knew every bird and every bit of rock along the way. Best morning of the holiday.”
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“Took our two (9 and 12) and they haven’t stopped talking about it. Lots of games on the water and a stop on a tiny beach for snacks. Only wish it had been a bit longer, two hours flew by!”
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“Booked the taster to see if I’d like it before trying a longer trip. Clear briefing on the beach, calm water, and I was paddling properly within ten minutes. Already booked the half-day.”
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“Lovely calm evening and the colours over the bay were amazing. It got a bit chilly once the sun went down, so take an extra layer. Would still recommend it to anyone.”
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“Long day but worth every minute. Cliff caves, more guillemots than I could count at Berry Head and a proper beach lunch. The pace was spot on, nobody felt rushed.”
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“Booked a private trip for my mum’s 60th. They planned the route around what she wanted to see and even brought a flask of tea for the beach stop. Such a thoughtful team.”
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“Our eight-year-old was nervous at first, so the guide paddled right next to her the whole way. By the end she didn’t want to get out of the kayak. Great with kids.”
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“The session itself was fine and the instructor was friendly, but the beach was very busy that day and we waited a while before getting on the water. Probably better on a weekday.”
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“Booked a private tour for a work team of eight. They sorted everything, from the kit to a route that suited complete beginners and a couple of keen paddlers. Great fun and really well organised.”
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4.8
Based on 497 reviews
Contact
Before you ask
The questions we get most. Can’t see yours? Send us a message.
Do I need experience, or to be a strong swimmer?
No experience needed for most trips: the Taster, Half-Day, Sunset and Family paddles all start with a briefing on the beach. You should be happy in the water, but you don’t need to be a strong swimmer. Everyone wears a buoyancy aid, and we practise what to do if you fall in. The Full-Day Explorer is for people who have paddled before.
What happens if the weather is bad?
We check the sea every morning. If it isn’t safe, we’ll call you to move your trip to another day or give you a full refund. A bit of rain on its own doesn’t stop us.
What should I wear and bring?
Clothes that can get wet, shoes that stay on your feet (old trainers are perfect), and a towel and dry clothes for afterwards. We provide wetsuits, buoyancy aids, paddles and dry bags.
Can children come?
Yes. The Family Paddle is for children aged 8 to 15, with up to two children per adult. Children from 8 can also join the Taster with an adult. The other trips are from 12, and the Full-Day Explorer from 16.
Can I change or cancel my booking?
Yes. You can move or cancel your trip for free up to 48 hours before it starts. After that, we’ll still try to move you to another date if there’s space.
Where do we meet, and is there parking?
On the beach at Goodrington Sands in Paignton. We’ll text you the exact spot the day before. There are pay-and-display car parks next to the beach; please arrive 15 minutes before your start time.