Yes. It is an active sport so a bit of enthusiasm and effort will be needed. You will be sat with bent legs out in front of you, so it is worth checking that this position is ok for you. The boats we use are considered very comfy and stable compared to others. They have a padded seat and back rest, plus stopping on beaches for leg stretches, cuppas and lunch are all part of our trips.

Yes. It is up to you if you would just like to enjoy being guided or if you would like to develop your skills further. There is always something new to learn and our experienced instructors can challenge you if you like. They are praised for their ability to challenge each individual in the group in accordance with their expereince level, while creating a cohesive atmosphere.

We offer a variety of trips ranging from 3 to 7 days of kayaking. If there is a group of you we can create a bespoke trip at a length that suits your needs.

Our experienced instructors will take into account the weather conditions and the group’s ability to provide you with the best route for that day. Our aim is to help you see a wide variety of the sights that the islands have to offer.

No. We can recommend places to eat and suggest bringing some basic food for snacks etc. We book a table in the pub for the group on the first night and most people choose to join us. We also offer to book the pub or fish and chips for the last night. Each day we give you time to sort breakfast and nip to the island shop to buy lunch if needed, before heading out on the water. Each island has a small grocery shop and/or bakery. In the evenings you can either eat at the island pub or cook for yourself. There are also other options on certain days of the week such as pizza or fish and chips. This also depends of which island we are on at the time.

We recommend travelling on the Scillonian ferry as their bagage allowance it greater than the aeroplane, additionally the plane is often affected by fog leading to delays or cancellations meaning you end up on the ferry anyway. You can pay extra, when you book your ferry, for excess baggage. However they do not currently weigh your bags or appear to count them. You bring your bags to the quay and walk them to the container marked St Martins where the staff load them in. Their main request is that you pack them into more bags that are individually lighter than one big heavy bag. This is because they are lifted on and off the inter island ferries by hand (with your help). Please make sure that all your bags are well labelled, clearly stating your name, phone number and St Martin's campsite as the destination.

Our ratios are 6 participants to one instructor, they are open to the public to book on. If you have a group of you that would like to create a bespoke trip then please contact us.

The maximum load of our bigger kayaks is 135kg. We have two sizes of boats that cater for most. They have removable hip pads and adjustable foot rests which allow for some alterations to cutomise the kayak to fit you. They are one of the comfiest sea kayaks we have found. If you are unsure as to wether you will fit into one of our kayaks please contact us in advance and we can check.

Yes. Whatever level you start with our instructors will be able to develop your skills as much or as little as you like, within the time that you are with us. If you would like to focus on skill development just let the instructor know what you would like to learn, or improve, at the start of your trip.

Being water confident is more important than the ability to swim. You will always be wearing a bouyancy aid and your kayak floats even if it is upside down. You will be given the option to practice coming out of your boat and getting back in on the water if you wish. We always kayak as a group and your instructor is there to assist you at all times.

Kayaking is a great activity even in the rain, its funny how you don’t notice it when you are cruising along in a kayak. We do however get affected by the wind, we look at the weather conditions daily and choose the best option for that day based on the group's ability and which island we are staying on. In perfect conditions we can cover quite large distances even with complete beginners. If the conditions are less favourable we may need to reduce the distance covered, finding more sheltered routes behind particular islands and focusing more on skills development. If we have to cancel a trip due to the weather you will have the option to postpone your booking to another time or receive a refund. If you choose to cancel within 6 weeks of your trip commencing, and your trip goes ahead, unfortunately we cannot refund you and you will owe the full balance. We provide good quality equipment to protect you from the elements and it is worth remembering that perfect conditions rarely help you build your skills. Some of my best kayaking memories of in the wilder weather conditions. Paddling through mist can be pretty cool.

Please be aware that sea kayaking is an outdoor activity that takes place in a range of weather conditions, including rain. We want to provide you with the best experience and will adjust our plans accordingly to make the most of the conditions on the day. Any itineraries or destinations offered are indicative only and will be offered as subject to the sea conditions and judgement of the guide. Sea kayaking is an adventurous sport and booking your trip is a sign of acceptance of the hazards involved in engaging in adventure activities and travel. It is your responsibility to ensure that your level of fitness and experience are suitable for your chosen trip and that you have the correct travel insurance. If you have any questions please do contact us. Our cancellation policy is that if cancelled within 6 weeks of the start date of the trip then the full trip fee will be charged. If cancelled more than 6 weeks from the start of your trip then we will refund your payment minus a deposit of £100. We are unable to refund any booking fees that you may have paid to third parties. If we have to cancel due to bad weather conditions then you will be offered an alternative date or a refund minus the camping fees which are nonrefundable (also minus any booking fees you may have paid to third parties).

The paddling motion is the same. Our sea kayaks are 14.5ft in length and generally a bit narrower than the average sit on top. This means that the boat glides further for the same amount of effort. Which just means you can go further in the same amount of time. Personally I find the Dagger Stratos a lot more comfortable too. Your legs are inside which keeps you dryer and warmer. They also have hatches front and back for storing lunch or camping kit depending on what you are doing.

We provide the necessary kayaking kit; closed-cockpit kayak, paddle, buoyancy aid, jacket, helmet and spray deck. Wetsuits are available if it is cold at no extra cost. Wearing shorts and a thermal top is usually ideal. You will also need wetsuit boots or shoes that you are happy to get wet. Once you have booked we will send you a suggested kit list of things to pack.

It’s a bit like walking. With the right technique you will be using your arms and your legs. It is a repetitive motion and you may be using muscles that you have not used in a while. Depending on the length of session/trip you book with us you will need to be able to sustain moderate exercise for that amount of time. Having said that we take lots of breaks on quiet beaches and you can always enjoy a bit of a drift when you need to. The pace will always match the group and the more experienced members can enjoy paddling through rock gullies while others rest and float past. The instructor always has the ability to tow a member of the group, but they may require payment in ice cream once back on the beach!

We specifically chose boats that are great for beginners and experienced paddlers alike. The Dagger Stratos is both stable and responsive, it wants to look after you. Very manoeuvrable for exploring in and out of rocks, with the addition of a skeg to help you go straight and deal with windier days. At Paddle Cornwall we have both the small and the large for you to use. I often choose one off the trailer rather than my own shiny carbon sea kayak in the garage. It is a really nice boat that is comfy too. For the more experienced kayakers it also surfs like a dream! Beginners are often worried about being trapped in boats when using spray decks, modern boats such as ours have large cockpits providing easy entry and exit. Also our spray decks are light fitting which means they come off easily when needed. Buoyancy aids are always worn and helmets are provided in case you fancy a bit of rock hopping.

Sorry no room for pets.

Whether you have never been in a boat before or have a bit of experience our instructors can adjust their teaching based on your ability. Our aim is to help to build your confidence on the water. Below are some of the skills we will cover: - Introduction to the equipment and how to fit it to you. - Safe lifting carrying and launching skills. - Forward paddling (this includes way more than you might think such as posture in the kayak, use of the whole body and paddle positioning) - Different methods of steering the kayak. - Capsizing and rescue (this will be covered on dry land and those that want to will have the opportunity to practice it towards the end of the day) Depending on your progress, and your time with us, we may be able to continue to build your skills further. This could include; support and recovery strokes, edging, self rescues and rescue techniques, rolling and sideways movement, towing or basic navigation.