Water sports

West Cornwall

Waves, windsurfing and wild swimming

Out of season, into the sea. Yes, people still make the most of the coast in the off-season. On calmer, brighter days, you might see cold water swimming groups out in Mount’s Bay, but when the conditions are right, the experienced kitesurfers and windsurfers come out in force.

If you are planning to get out there in the off-season, remember that the sea can be much colder in the winter months, and there aren’t any lifeguards on duty. Take extra care, swim with experienced groups and book activities through local experts.

Activity level: Energetic
Duration: 4-5 days

You can mix and match from the suggested activities to create a great day out during your stay. If you were to do all the activities on this itinerary, the estimated duration is given above.

Please note: You will need to contact the venue or experience provider directly to book.

Click on each individual experience and find out more about its accessibility and public transport connections, along with an eco tip.

Create your own inspiring itinerary

If you would like to build your own itinerary, head to the Experience page. You can add your favourite experiences to a bespoke itinerary, which can be downloaded or sent to your email address. Please note: This is for inspiration purposes only and does not create a booking. You will need to contact the venue or provider directly to book.

Things to do

Ocean High

Kitesurfing lessons

Ocean High is a Marazion-based team of water sports experts. In addition to renting out paddleboards and kayaks, they offer internationally accredited kitesurfing lessons. If the conditions are looking good during your break, why not see if you can book a lesson? Find out more here.

Tonic of the Sea

Underwater worlds

Discover the magic of the underwater world with Katie Maggs, a highly experienced swimmer, underwater photographer and qualified BSAC snorkel instructor. Based in Penzance, Katie is also an advocate for the wellbeing benefits of outdoor swimming. During the winter months, Katie offers snorkelling experiences on weekends and during school holidays, depending on the weather and conditions. Find out more here.

Marazion

Cold water swimming

There’s nothing quite like a skin-tingling swim in the sea to reinvigorate you during a break. In Marazion, you’ll find the shallow and relatively sheltered waters of Mount’s Bay, home to St Michael’s Mount. Swimmers dare to dip even in the winter, but make sure you have a warming cup of tea waiting for you when you get out, and follow this advice from the RNLI.

Please note: There are no lifeguards in the off-season, so it’s always safer to swim with others. Follow the Penzance and Marazion Bluetits to see when they’re next heading out for a swim.

Hoxton Special

Paddleboard lesson

Experience the beauty of Mount’s Bay on a stand-up paddleboard. The sport has grown in popularity over recent years and it’s easy to see why people enjoy floating around the bay, experiencing St Michael’s Mount from the sea. You can arrange paddleboard hire and lessons through the Hoxton Special, then pop into their café afterwards for a warming flat white. Check seasonal opening hours and book your lesson here.

Jubilee Pool

Geothermal swim

With its striking art deco style, Jubilee Pool is the perfect place to enjoy the benefits of a saltwater dip without the chill. This incredible seawater lido is the largest in the UK. It also benefits from a geothermal pool, which was completed in 2020 and is heated to 30-35 degrees by water from an underground well. Book your Geothermal Pool ticket here to enjoy a 55-minute soak.

Places to Eat

Jubilee Pool & Café

Lunch at the lido

Whether you’re warming up after a swim or simply want to take in the atmosphere at the lido, you’ll love the modern café at Jubilee Pool. See what’s on the menu and check their opening times here. Jubilee Pool is also considered to be very accessible, with wheelchair access, disabled toilets, trained staff and free entry for carers. Find out more through Access Cornwall.

Essential Information

Places to Stay

Retreat to a cosy self-catering cottage or book a stylish hotel in the heart of town. Discover the perfect seaside stay for your winter in Cornwall.

More inspiration?

Visit out of season and step into an adventure. Explore our entire collection of inspiring itineraries and plan a great day out.

Accessibility

Many of the activities in our itineraries are accessible. Click on each individual experience to find out more about its accessibility. We advise that you contact the venue or experience provider in advance to confirm. You can also find information about accessible venues through Access Cornwall.

Local knowledge

Enjoy updates from local experts and find information about upcoming events.

Getting around

Discover the many ways you can get out there and explore without relying on your car.

Positive impact

We’re hoping to make every stay as sustainable as possible. Find out more here.

Itinerary last updated on February 24th, 2023

This listing has been curated by the EXPERIENCE West Cornwall team and was correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We advise that you contact the venue or provider directly to confirm any seasonal opening details and to book the experience.