Summer’s nearly here and we can’t wait to head to the beach. Lucky enough to be living on an island, in the UK we’re well endowed with a magnificent coastline beckoning us out to have fun in the briny air and sunshine. And whether you want to ride the waves or roam the coast paths, there are so many ways to experience the coastal environment. Being active by the sea is great for your health, fitness and wellbeing, so bag the feel-good factor of a coastal holiday with these fun-packed beach activities.
Snorkelling
Snorkelling might not be the first activity you associate with a British beach holiday, and will be a different experience here to tropical waters. However, put on your mask, snorkel and a wetsuit – and you’ll be rewarded with kelp forests, seagrass, historic wrecks and coral-covered reefs, where you can spot seahorses, starfish, seals, crabs and other crustaceans. The shallow water beneath Swanage Pier in Dorset is an easy place to see spider crabs, cuckoo wrasse, bream and cuttlefish, or you can try a guided snorkel trip to witness sea stars, dead man’s fingers and lobsters at the St Abbs and Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve in Berwickshire in the Scottish Borders.
Coasteering
Brace yourself for a full-throttle adventure, scrambling and swimming along the border between land and sea. Swim through gulleys, ride whirlpools, climb wave-hewn headlands, explore sea caves and leap from rocky ledges on an exhilarating coasteering trip that brings you nose-to-nose with the coastline and the marine life that resides here. The UK coastline is littered with sheltered, craggy nooks that are made for coasteering adventures, from Abereiddy Bay and St Noni Bay in Pembrokeshire, to Horwick in Northumberland and The Gazzel in Newquay, Cornwall. Just make sure you go with experienced guides and you’re guaranteed to make a splash, get your heart racing and experience a unique and exciting perspective of the coastline.
Surfing
Boost your fitness and fun levels as you hit the waves and try one of the most popular watersports in the UK. It’s no surprise that the sport of surfing has seen a huge boom in recent years; not only are we blessed with plenty of swell, but playing in the waves also releases dopamine (our happy hormone) in bucket loads. What with surfing schools lined up on almost every wave-lashed beach in the UK, and kit for every weather, don’t you think it’s time to tap into the surf stoke? With North Devon being crowned the UK’s first World Surfing Reserve (alongside the likes of Ericeira in Portugal and Australia’s Gold Coast), there’s no better time to head to Devon’s beaches to catch some of the action. Other sensational surf spots for a beach holiday are Cornwall, Wales, Scotland and the west coast of Ireland.
Wild Swimming
Another beach activity that’s seen a huge resurgence in recent years, wild swimming is one of the most simple feel-good beach activities that you can try on your beach holiday. Whether you dip in a secluded cove, seek out a wild sea pool or coastal lido, or simply take the plunge from the beach closest to your holiday cottage, the feel of the sea on your bare skin is exhilarating. Plus, if you do it regularly as part of your blue health regime, it boosts your immune system, reduces inflammation, alleviates stress and improves your mood. So what are you waiting for? Dive in at any of the coastal hotspots from Cornwall and Devon to Suffolk and Scotland. Locations, tips and information about wild swimming all over the UK can be found on the Wild Swimming website.
Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP)
Strengthen your core and glide through sublime ocean scenery onboard a stand-up paddleboard. A little less high-octane than surfing, SUP-ing lends itself to calmer ocean territory, enabling you to explore the nooks and crannies of our beautiful coastline afloat. Head off on a guided SUP safari around Sandbanks in Poole, or paddle down the coast from Stonehaven in Scotland to Fowlsheugh Nature Reserve, where you might spot puffins, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and fulmars. If you want to become a self-reliant paddler head off on an epic two-day Atlantic Expedition with the experts at Surf Sanctuary in Cornwall, and you’ll be proficient to read the weather and tides and head off on your own SUP adventures.
Fishing
It’s all very well basking on the beach and dining on the ocean’s bounty landed by local fishermen, but how about casting off on a fishing trip and seeing what you can catch yourself for dinner? From mackerel fishing trips out of St Ives’ harbour, to deep sea fishing charters out of Yarmouth and Brixham, there are countless places to hop aboard, hire equipment and learn to catch fish under the tutelage of the UK’s experienced seamen. And while you’re waiting for a bite, you can soak up the stunning coastal scenery beyond the beach and spot offshore marine life from sunfish to basking sharks.
Rock Climbing
Feel the ocean licking your heels as you leave sea level behind and rock climb to giddy heights where you can take in the coastal vistas. From the iconic White Cliffs of Dover to the sea cliffs and rock stacks of the Scottish Islands, the UK boasts some extraordinary rock climbing territory. Anglesey is home to some of the most staggering sea cliffs in the country, and all ages from 8+ can learn the ropes and scale the rock faces to get a bird’s eye view with Anglesey Activities. Other claiming hotspots include Pembrokeshire, North Devon and the far south west tip of Cornwall, all within walking distance of beautiful sandy beaches and hidden coves.
Coastal Foraging
Did you know that the coastline is nature’s larder – overflowing with delicious ingredients that flourish on our shores? Cliff tops are thriving with samphire, gorse flowers and wild garlic, boulders are strewn with edible seaweeds, and hedgerows are bursting with all sorts of berries and herbs. Head to the beach with a foraging guide and see what you can find to conjure up a true seaside feast in your holiday cottage. You could even top up your findings with fresh seafood from local fishermen. Expert forager, Caroline Davey of Fat Hen in Cornwall, will help you find the finest ingredients from the cliffs and beaches, and whip them into a gourmet feast.
Sailing
Feel the wind in your sails and castaway for a sailing adventure off the coast of Britain. Whether you learn the ropes on a dinghy, a catamaran or a racing yacht, sailing is an exhilarating and adventurous activity to add to your beach holiday repertoire. Cowes on the Isle of Wight is one of the world’s epicentres for yacht racing and a great place to learn to sail with UKSA – one of the best sailing schools in the country. In August you can also enjoy the spectacle of Cowes Week sailing regatta – and regattas in sailing hotspots around the country including Falmouth, Fowey and Dartmouth.
Coastal Walking
Whether you stroll along the beach with an ice cream in hand or tackle calf-busting cliff paths to take in eye-popping views, a coastal walk and lungfuls of sea air boosts your fitness and your mood, leaving you feeling high on life. Stroll along the sand or don your walking boots and tread the coastal paths of Cornwall, Devon and Wales. Or venture where the South Downs meets the sea on the Seven Sisters trail in East Sussex, or trek along the North Norfolk Coastal Path and spot seals at Blakeney Point. Wherever you wander this summer, shed your shoes and pad along the shoreline, feeling the sand between your toes while improving circulation and your connection to nature.
Cycling
What better way to get your pulse racing and cheeks glowing than freewheeling through some of the UK’s stunning coastal scenery by bike? It’s one of the most popular coastal wellbeing activities for families, with scenic cycle trails all over the country. Wales is home to a plethora of cycle paths that don’t veer far from the ocean, including the Wales Coast Path, while in Cornwall we love the traffic-free Camel Trail, Mineral Tramways and Coast-to-Coast route. If you’re up for a challenge, why not tackle some of Scotland’s North Coast 500 on two wheels?
Ready for your next beach adventure?
Book a luxury coastal cottage for your summer holiday and brace yourself for buckets full of beach activities. Head to our search page and use filters to choose dates and locations tailored to the beach activities you want to try out this summer.
