Falmouth Bay Watersports

While Falmouth is notoriously surrounded by water, because of its sheltered location it’s not known for its surfing credentials. The water is quite calm here in Falmouth Bay, which means watersports are very much enjoyed but carving waves isn’t easily achieved.

We’ve scoped out some of the best water-based activities to enjoy in and around Falmouth.

The Search Surf School, Falmouth

Surfing Falmouth

Both Maenporth and Gyllyngvase beaches are the two surfing locations in Falmouth, although both beaches rarely have waves during the summer months, you’ll find things liven up in the sea during storm season between December and March.

Falmouth does however have a few surf schools. The Search Surf School and Falmouth Surf School are both based in Falmouth but operate on a mobile basis, meaning they’ll take surfing enthusiasts to multiple surfing beaches in Cornwall to ensure you get the best surf conditions!

Windsurfing Falmouth

Fancy trying your hand at windsurfing? ElementalUK‘s adventure centre is located at Swanpool Beach, and they offer a whole host of watersports. With specialist instructors and a land-based windsurfing simulator, the windsurfing course is designed for those learning the ropes, but you can also hire equipment if you don’t require the tuition.

Falmouth River Watersports

Kayaking Falmouth

Falmouth River Watersports offer a variety of kayaking courses for you to get your fix in Falmouth. It’s a great way to explore the beautiful estuary here, and as kayaks are that bit faster than paddleboards, you’ll get to explore that little further. Choose to join one of the experienced guides as a group or an individual, or you can simply rent the equipment and go out on your own.

©Gylly Adventures

If you see yourself as more of an adrenaline junkie, ElementalUK offer surf kayaking, too. Or Glylly Adventures, located at Gyllyngvase beach, run a Caves and Shipwreck Kayak Adventure, starting from the beach the two-hour tour takes you into caves, rocky gullies, and over submerged reefs.

Falmouth River Watersports

Paddleboarding Falmouth

Paddleboarding’s popularity has no sign of waning, and Falmouth is a great spot for this wonderful watersport.

There are plenty of local watersport businesses which allow you to book in for lessons or simply hire equipment and go on your own adventure.

©Roland Oliver Ebert, Falmouth Surf School

On Gyllyngvase beach you’ll find Blu Paddle Co and Gylly Adventures both offering stand up paddleboarding lessons. Or, try something totally different and head to Maenporth beach, where Falmouth Surf School offer a variety of SUP Yoga and SUP Fitness classes. An exciting way to workout from the water on a paddleboard.

More Falmouth watersports

Other popular choices include coasteering, which can be enjoyed nearby at Via Ferrata Cornwall, where their freshwater coasteering sessions take place in beautiful water-filled quarries! Both Falmouth based Gylly Adventures and ElementalUK offer coasteering too.

Falmouth Surf School also run a ‘mega SUP snorkel safari’ from Maenporth beach, where families can adventure together both on land by discovering secret beaches, and snorkel around the Ben Asdale shipwreck!