Whether you fancy sharing the joys of sailing with your family, meandering along rivers and canals, paddle boarding or surfing the waves, or finding secret wild swimming spots, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anywhere to rival our beautiful county. Push the boundaries, challenge yourself and discover how wet and wild Devon watersports can be.
Surfing in Devon
Year round, surfers can enjoy the thrill of riding world class waves on both South Devon and North Devon coasts. Croyde, Woolacombe and Saunton are well-known surfing beaches, but there are plenty that are perfect for beginners too (including Croyde and Woolacombe) on both coasts. You'll have no trouble finding surf school and instructors to introduce you to this most exciting of sports (or to help you improve if you've already discovered it), and there are plenty of places to hire equipment if you don't have your own.
Sailing, kayaking & canoeing
Try sailing in Torquay, Dartmouth or Plymouth (do visit the award-winning Mayflower Marina), canoeing the coves of Brixham or kayaking on Dartmoor and any number of Devon's fabulous waterways. There are also lots of regattas which are an important part of Devon's culture and a real treat to go to (or take part in) - see our sports events page for details.
And if you want to feel like James (or Jemima) Bond, hire a jet ski or power boat for a few hours and go for a joyride - you can hire these too at various places along our coast.
Explore the sea - and shore
You really get a view of Devon that few others will have seen when you go diving or snorkelling or try a spot of coasteering. There's a whole underwater world of wrecks, reefs and wildlife just waiting to be explored - and plenty of specialist schools and instructors happy to take you out if you want, too.
Do check out Devon's sports events pages too for watersports events happening across Devon, all year round.
