It’s official – a seaside holiday is good for your health and wellbeing. And it’s not rocket science. Simply being beside the beach and breathing in lungfuls of sea air boosts your mood. And with so much to do on the coast, you’re bound to want to get active, which in turn will improve your fitness.
From cycling and surfing to swimming and yoga, here are some ideas for health and fitness breaks by the sea in 2024. So pack your swimsuit or your trainers, and embrace the feel-good factor of getting fit beside the sea.
Surfing in Devon
Living on an island, it’s no wonder that surfing has taken our nation by storm in recent years. Now that wetsuit technology ensures we’re warm, whatever the water temperature, it’s not just the hardcore fraternity hitting the waves year-round. While there are surf breaks aplenty around the British Isles, North Devon’s coastline has been named the UK’s first designated World Surfing Reserve, and offers breaks for all abilities and conditions.
We love the three-mile Saunton Sands in Devon, where the sandy bottom ensures there are no rocks in the way of your inevitable wipeouts, and the pros at Surf Saunton have all the kit and caboodle you need to get up and riding.
Coastal Running on the Isle of Wight
Fancy upping the ante on your coastal walks? Or perhaps you’ve been regularly doing your local Park Run and are ready to pack your trainers for an adventure somewhere new? The Isle of Wight Coastal Path is 70 miles long, hugging the island’s divine landscapes from its coves to clifftops. Split into six distinct sections, it’s up to you how much you tackle in each run, but if you’re keen to raise your heart rate and your fitness, you could jog the entire island circuit in a week’s break. Just don’t forget to pack your swimmers to dip in some of the dreamy bays en route.
Paddleboarding in Poole, Dorset
Strengthen your core and glide through sublime ocean scenery onboard a stand-up paddleboard. A little less high-octane than surfing, SUP-ping has become one of Britain’s fastest-growing watersports, beckoning all ages and abilities to explore the nooks and crannies of our beautiful coastline afloat. Learn the basics during a one-hour lesson in Dorset‘s Poole Harbour, or head off on a guided SUP tour along sheltered waterways, spotting wildlife and landing on uninhabited islands.
Beach Yoga in Brighton
Brighton is a cool place for a coastal break at any time of year. But instead of just browsing the boutiques, beach walking and bar hopping, boost your flexibility, strength and wellbeing with outdoor yoga sessions. Not only will you be rebalancing your mind, body and soul, the morning flow sessions encourage an invigorating sea dip as part of the experience.
Cycling in Devon
Freewheel between verdant countryside, pristine coastline and dramatic sea cliffs on one of the UK’s best seaside cycle trails. Your eyes and calf muscles will bulge when you take on the 180-mile Tarka Trail, a figure-eight loop inspired by the route travelled by Tarka the Otter. You don’t have to take on the entire trail to appreciate the beauty of North Devon’s coastline – the best coastal scenery is along the loop from Barnstaple to Lynton, which takes in surfy towns and sublime sandy beaches en route.
Sea Cliff Climbing in Wales
Feel the ocean licking your heels as you leave sea level behind and rock climb to giddy heights from where you can take in the coastal vistas. Climbing is a fantastic sport for your mind and your body, and from the iconic White Cliffs of Dover to the 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, where you can learn the ropes and scale the rock faces to get a bird’s eye view with Anglesey Outdoors.
Coastal Walking in North Yorkshire
Simply taking a walk and breathing in the sea air aids your fitness and helps lift your mood. So why not boost your step count, fitness and mood as you follow Count Dracula’s footsteps up the 199 steps to the famous Whitby Abbey ruins? From here, you can take an eight-mile walking loop through the picturesque seaside town and along the North Sea-lashed coast. And there are plenty more walks in the area that take in the wild coastal scenery of North Yorkshire.
Sea Swimming in Cornwall
Plunging into cold water has all sorts of benefits, from boosting your immune system and reducing inflammation to alleviating stress, improving your mood and even delaying the onset of degenerative diseases such as dementia. Even without its evident scientific benefits, you can’t help but take the plunge in Cornwall’s stunning sea pools – dotted along the coastline from Bude and Treyarnon to Perranporth and Priest’s Cove. If you’re keen for a sea dip but not sure where to start, there are lots of super-friendly swimming groups dotted around Cornwall and Sea Swim Cornwall runs guided swim tours. And if you fancy warming up afterwards, check out the latest location of one of the pop-up saunas dotted along the coast.
New Year, New You: Plan Your Fitness Break by the Sea for 2024
Get fit, feel good and boost your wellbeing with a seaside holiday in 2024. Take a look at our collection of seaside holiday cottages perfectly placed for an active health and fitness break in the UK.
