Surfing

Bude has a thriving surfing community, primarily due to the consistent beachbreak peaks. Whilst all of our beaches are great for surfing, most popular are Widemouth Bay, and north to Duckpool, Sandymouth and Northcott beaches. In the town itself, Crooklets and Summerleaze both face west, work on all tides and hold swells up to about eight feet. Local surf shops and tutors offer advice, and we highly recommend our local surf schools and outdoor activity centres for both surfing and for more activities below…

Surfing is what Bude is famous for, but there is so much more to do on, and off the water!

The Bude Webcam is great for checking-out the surf, or use Surf Reports.

Kayaking

Bude is well served with kayaking environments. The canal provides the perfect safe location to introduce young and novice paddlers to the sport, the harbour area allows for more adventure but still within the safety of Summerleaze Bay and then there’s the open ocean for Sea Kayaking expeditions.

The North Coast of Cornwall and Devon is exposed, rugged and has some spectacular seascapes. Enjoy the scenery around Bude sea kayaking with some gentle rock hopping within the limits of the Bude beaches and then venture further afield to explore the coastline to the North and South of Bude. Whole day trips can be organised to run from Bude or from locations around our coastline including Hartland Quay, Boscastle, Port Quin and Wadebridge. Surf Kayaking is also popular as the beaches and surf conditions make Bude the perfect location for this sport all year round.

Open Canoeing

Where as Kayaking is often wild, fast and furious Open Canoeing is a much more sophisticated and stylish way of exploring our rural canal system. Paddling an open canoe solo requires a good feel and a calm and gentle manner, paddling with 2, 3 or 4 in a boat requires a lot of teamwork! You can hire canoes, row boats and pedalos from Bude Rowing Boats situated at the lower wharf. The canal is wonderfully sheltered and provides an excellent environment on which to build your skills or explore as a team. ‘The Bude Canoe Experience’  offers small private groups tuition on paddling an open canoe. Exploring the local waterways both canal and  Upper Tamar Lake. A fully qualified guide and instructor make this an ideal way to enjoy the wildlife that live on and around the water.

Rock Climbing

Here in Bude we are extremely well positioned for rock climbing with classic culm coast climbs right on our doorstep. We have climbs which range in height from 30 to 400 feet with levels of difficulty to suit all abilities. Compass Point, Maer cliffs and Northcott Mouth are popular locations. Test your skill by spending a half day abseiling down our 100 feet cliffs. ‘Adventure International’ have a climbing wall to practice on.  ‘Shoreline Extreme Sports’ offer introductory and advanced rock climbing courses.

Explore the Coastal Environment

For something really different, spend a few hours with ‘Shoreline’ exploring our coastal environments – soft sheltered semi-mud flat to an incredible rocky shoreline. Shoreline guides will educate you on the diversity of life found in the inter-tidal zone including seaweeds, crabs, fish, anemones, starfish and much, much  more. There always seems to be something new and exciting to find and with a bit of luck you might even come across our very own North Cornish Sea Slug – Onchidella celtica!

Coasteering

Truly an amazing new coastal activity to try which will make your holiday experience in Cornwall even more memorable!

It is a fun mix of adventure swimming, scrambling and jumping where you will discover a unique new seal-level view of our spectacular coastline.  You will even get to meet and learn about Cornwall’s abundant wildlife along the way.  As long as you can swim and are water confident, this sport is suitable for all abilities.  You will be kitted out in a wetsuit, buoyancy aid and helmet and be led by an experienced, qualified instructor with a detailed local knowledge as this essential to enjoy this sport safely.