.Where to go Coasteering in South Devon

Want to know where to go Coasteering in South Devon? I’ve got a confession, I have never been coasteering! My husband and three boys have all been coasteering and absolutely love it. I’m not a huge fan of heights so I’ve not done it…YET! Don’t get me wrong, clambering on rocks, swimming in the sea, exploring caves…they all sound like excellent activities, it’s just the jumping off bit that has me stumped!

What is Coasteering?

Coasteering is “one of the most exhilarating natural experiences on offer” according to Salcombe based Adventure South. And the South Devon coastline is a wonderful mixture of craggy cliffs and stunning sandy beaches so there are many beautiful places to launch yourself.  Essentially you walk along the South West Coast Path. Find a suitable spot and then jump in! You swim long the rocky shoreline before climbing back up the rockface to do it all again in a different spot.

There are six elements of coasteering:

  • Wild swimming
  • Low-level traversing
  • Exploring caves
  • Cliff jumping
  • Gullies
  • Whirlpools

Being able to swim to a good spot is key part of the experience, not all places are accessible from the coast path. You will need a buoyancy aid to help you swim the short distances between rocks.

Your guide will direct you across low-level rocks (traversing) so you can get out of the water to the next spot.

If you are lucky you will find that you can only reach by water! You’ll be able to explore them and scrabble up and down gullies and or whirlpools.

Cliff jumping is everyone’s main aim, you can start small and work up to bigger and higher points to jump from. As I said my boys love it, the higher the better. I’m going to start very small and see how I get on, I’ll keep you posted.

Is Coasteering dangerous?

As with any ‘extreme’ sport there are dangers and I certainly wouldn’t recommend doing it on your own until you’ve gained lots of experience with a well-trained coach. A fully-qualified coach will be able to guide you to safe locations and will understand the tides to ensure that it is safe to jump in. They will also need to know the shoreline to find the safest routes back up to the top and to guide you through the gullies and whirlpools. They will also have the correct safety equipment should you encounter any problems.

What to wear

  • Wetsuit if it’s cold or old baggy shorts & t-shirt/rash vest
  • Trainers/boots
  • Lifejacket/buoyancy aid
  • Helmet – guides will provide you with helmets if they’re needed

Coasteering near Noss Mayo

Salcombe Coasteering.

Adventure South in Salcombe offers a gentle beginners session that lasts around 2.5 hours and a High Adrenaline session with jumps up to 10 meters and lasts around 3 hours.

Sea-n-Shore offer half day sessions for all the family a morning one that starts at 9.30am or an afternoon starting at 1.30pm You start at Start Point car park before walking along the coast path to start “rock climbing, swimming, exploring caves and gullies and lots and lots of jumps”

Coasteering in Plymouth

Essential Adventure offers an inland quarry for it’s freshwater coasteering which might appeal to people who are not comfortable about tides.

Maidencombe

Rock Solid offer an all-in coasteering trip with photos, video & hot drinks. They also do family sessions which look fun. And Maidencombe is a wonderful beach.

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