on 11/04/2025
Looking for a holiday with more than just sunbathing and sea views? Cornwall is a dream destination for adventurers and thrill seekers of all ages.
Whether you're into paddling across turquoise coves, soaring through the air on a zip line, snorkelling caves and discovering wildlife, or learning to ride your first wave – Cornwall has a bucketload of adrenaline-pumping activities set against some of the UK’s most stunning scenery.
Here’s your ultimate guide to the best adventure days out in Cornwall, including kayak tours, zip lines, coasteering, and beginner-friendly surf schools.
Kayaking is a fantastic way to explore Cornwall’s rugged coastline, hidden caves, and secret beaches. It's also a family-friendly activity that gives you a different perspective of Cornwall’s natural beauty.
Top Kayak Tour Providers:
Koru Kayaking (St Agnes & Helford River) – Perfect for families and beginners, Koru offers guided tours along the dramatic cliffs of St Agnes and the calm waters of the Helford River.
Encounter Cornwall (Fowey) – Their ‘Creeks & Backwaters’ tours are ideal for wildlife lovers – keep your eyes peeled for herons, seals and kingfishers.
Sea Kayaking Cornwall (Falmouth) – For the more adventurous, they offer full-day tours exploring Cornwall’s wild coastline.
For a birds-eye view and a serious shot of adrenaline, zip wires are a must-try while in Cornwall.
Best Zip Wire Experiences:
The Eden Project Hangloose (St Austell) – Soar over the famous biomes on England’s longest and fastest zip wire! Combine it with the Gravity Giant Swing and free-fall jump for the full thrill-seeker experience.
Via Ferrata Cornwall (near Penryn and Truro) – A high ropes adventure meets rock climbing in this unique activity centre. Walk cliff ledges, cross wire bridges and even zip line over quarry lakes. Great for older kids and adventurous families.
Adrenalin Quarry (near Liskeard) – “Throw yourself off a cliff” is their motto – and they mean it. Home to a massive cliff-top zip line, giant swing, axe throwing, and an inflatable aquapark on a lake, it’s one of Cornwall’s wildest days out for thrill-seekers. Great for teens and groups!
If climbing, swimming in the wild, and cliff-jumping into the sea sounds like your idea of fun, then coasteering is a must. It's one of the best ways to explore and see Cornwall’s rugged coast from an entirely different perspective.
Top Coasteering Companies:
Bare Feet Coasteer (Newquay) – Family-run and full of local knowledge, these guys offer exciting, exhilarating tours from their Fistral base.
Cornish Rock Tors (Port Gaverne) – Ideal for families and groups, their experienced instructors make it both safe and thrilling. They offer a range of activities here.
Vertical Descents (Newquay) – ‘Water, rock, wind and land based’ - Located right in the heart of Cornwall’s adventure capital, their coasteering routes are perfect for beginners and pros alike.
Cornwall is the UK’s surf capital, and if you’ve ever fancied catching a wave, this is the place to start. With long sandy beaches, gentle swells, and expert instructors, beginners are welcome. It’s also a great place to view the pros!
Top Surf Schools for First-Timers:
Newquay:
Escape Surf School - One of Newquay's longest running surf schools with small groups sessions and expert tuition.
Fistral Beach Surf School – Right on Cornwall’s most iconic surf beach, this school is perfect for families, beginners, nervous first-timers and the more experienced.
Perranporth:
Perranporth Surf School – Set on a huge, sandy beach that’s great for beginners, they offer private or group lessons with super friendly instructors.
Stoked Surf School – A small, independent surf school with a relaxed vibe and top-notch beginner sessions.
Oceanflow Yoga (Newquay) offers SUP yoga classes on the ocean – think downward dog while floating with the waves.
Night Paddle Tours – Rob MC Paddling (Bude) – Paddle at sunset on illuminated, glow in the dark boards for a magical, adventurous experience.
Granite Planet (Penryn) and The Tide Climbing Centre (Padstow) – Great for wet and rainy days when the beach is out of the question, these indoor climbing centres offer everything from beginner routes to advanced challenges.
Camel Trail (Wadebridge to Padstow) – While scenic and family-friendly, spice it up with e-bike hire or tag onto a guided off-road cycle tour. There are plenty of bike hire options to choose from in either village.
Explore by Mountain Bike (Bodmin Moor or Cardinham Woods) – Natural trails and downhill runs await for those who want to get muddy and wild.
Try Golitha Falls, St Nectan’s Glen, or Goldiggins Quarry for adventurous wild swims in magical, lesser-known spots.
If you’re after pure adrenaline without needing to get wet or wear a wetsuit, Cornwall has some top-notch tracks where you can tear it up on four wheels. From off-road quad biking through muddy woodland trails to family-friendly go kart circuits, it’s the perfect option for groups, teens, and grown-up kids alike.
Where to Go:
Coast2Coast Karting (Hayle) – One of Cornwall’s largest outdoor karting circuits, with separate karts for juniors and adults. Ideal for competitive families or stag and hen groups.
St Eval Kart Circuit (near Newquay) – A well-known favourite, this huge track offers fast karts and proper race-style thrills with options for all abilities.
Quad Nation (Truro) – Cornwall’s top quad biking spot! Quad Nation's location has been perfectly designed to give the ultimate adrenaline fix. Home to one of the UK's most exhilarating man made tracks, take to the driver's seat on one of their Yamaha Breeze quads and prepare for a ride of your life!
If you’re planning a base for your adventure-packed holiday, choose one of these beaches for easy access to the action and safe, sandy spots for little ones to paddle too.
Perranporth Beach – Great for surfing, rock pooling, and beach games.
Crantock Beach (near Newquay) – Popular for paddleboarding and kayaking on the Gannel Estuary.
Gyllyngvase Beach (Falmouth) – Calm waters and water sports hire make this beach ideal for young families.
Perranporth Flying Club – Take a scenic flight or even a trial flying lesson in a microlight over Cornwall’s coastlines.
Heli Adventures – Short helicopter tours departing from St Ives offer unforgettable aerial views of the countryside, beach and rugged cliffs.
At Select Cornwall, we offer a handpicked collection of self-catering holiday homes near all the action. Whether you’re staying in Newquay, St Ives, or the peaceful Cornish countryside, we’ll help you find the perfect base for your adventure-filled break.
From coastlines to cliff jumps, there’s no shortage of thrills in Cornwall – just bring your sense of adventure and get ready for quirky, off-the-beaten-path adventure experiences that go beyond the usual beach and surf scene!
