Watersports in Tynemouth
From surfing and paddleboarding at Longsands to sea kayaking around Cullercoats caves and dinghy sailing from Priors Haven, here is your guide to watersports in Tynemouth.
Tynemouth sits on one of the most dramatic stretches of coastline in north-east England. Longsands, King Edward's Bay, Cullercoats Bay, and the sheltered waters of Priors Haven between them offer conditions for almost every watersport you can think of -- from beginner-friendly paddleboarding on a flat summer morning to serious surf on a winter north-easterly swell.
We have already published detailed guides to surfing at Longsands, sea swimming in Tynemouth, and scuba diving near Tynemouth. This guide brings them together and covers the watersports we haven't yet written about in depth: stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing, coasteering, and kitesurfing.
Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP)
Paddleboarding has exploded in popularity along the North Tyne coast. Longsands is the main venue -- on calm days the long, sandy beach is ideal for beginners, while more experienced paddlers head out around the headland towards Cullercoats or south towards King Edward's Bay.
Three providers offer lessons and hire locally:
Tynemouth Surf Co runs SUP lessons from their beach hut on Grand Parade, with all equipment provided including boards, wetsuits, and buoyancy aids. They also hire boards independently of lessons, so you can practise on your own once you have had some instruction.
Tynemouth SUP Boarder is an independent husband-and-wife operation offering beginner, improver, and SUP surf lessons in small groups at Longsands. Sessions are released weekly via their social media channels.
CBK Adventures in Cullercoats offers guided SUP tours along the coast, including paddles through sea caves and around the headlands between Cullercoats and Tynemouth.
The best conditions for flat-water paddleboarding are light winds and a small swell -- early mornings in summer are often ideal. Always wear a personal flotation device and use a leash attached to your ankle or waist.
Best for: Flat-water SUP on a calm summer morning at Longsands -- three local providers offer lessons, hire, and guided tours.
Sea Kayaking
The stretch of coast between Tynemouth and St Mary's Lighthouse is outstanding for sea kayaking. Sandstone cliffs, sea caves, hidden coves, and the chance of spotting grey seals make even a short paddle memorable.
CBK Adventures in Cullercoats is the main provider, offering guided kayak tours, lessons, hire, and British Canoeing certification courses. Their Cullercoats Explorer tour takes in the caves, rock pools, and shipwreck sites along the coast. Kayak hire is also available for experienced paddlers who want to head out independently.
Tynemouth Paddlesports Club (formerly Tynemouth Canoe and Waveski Club) is a volunteer-run club that organises beach sessions, river trips, and weekend expeditions. Beach sessions often paddle from Cullercoats through the caves and along to St Mary's Lighthouse, depending on tide and weather. The club welcomes beginners and provides boats for those who do not have their own.
Sea kayaking conditions are best on days with light winds, a small swell, and neap tides. Always check the weather forecast and tide times before heading out, carry appropriate safety equipment, and tell someone where you are going.
Best for: Guided kayak tours through sea caves and along sandstone cliffs -- or join Tynemouth Paddlesports Club for regular group sessions.
Sailing
Tynemouth Sailing Club operates from Priors Haven, the small sheltered harbour beneath the Priory headland. The club runs dinghy racing on Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons from April to October, with Sunday morning coaching sessions for those still learning.
Membership is open to beginners and experienced sailors alike. Full membership costs around 190 pounds per year, with reduced rates for partners, students, cadets, and social members. Boats can be hired through the club's online booking system once you have joined.
The clubhouse is open on Sundays and Wednesday and Friday evenings during the sailing season. Even if you are not ready to join, it is worth visiting on a race day to watch the dinghies from the haven -- one of the most scenic sailing venues on the North East coast.
Best for: Dinghy sailing from Priors Haven with Wednesday evening and Sunday racing, coaching for beginners, and boat hire for members.
Coasteering
Coasteering -- a combination of scrambling over rocks, swimming through open water, exploring sea caves, and (if you are brave enough) jumping from cliffs -- is one of the most exhilarating ways to experience the North Tyne coast.
CBK Adventures runs coasteering sessions locally, using the rocky coastline around Cullercoats and the surrounding bays. Sessions are led by qualified guides and include all safety equipment. No previous experience is needed, but you do need to be a confident swimmer.
For bigger jumps and more dramatic terrain, Adventure Northumberland runs three-hour coasteering sessions at Howick on the Northumberland coast, about an hour's drive north. Jumps range from a few feet to around 30 feet, with sea cave exploration included. Sessions run from March to October and are suitable for ages eight and above.
Coasteering is weather and tide dependent -- providers will reschedule if conditions are unsuitable.
Best for: Rock scrambling, cave exploring, and cliff jumping with qualified guides -- no experience needed, but you must be a confident swimmer.
Kitesurfing
Longsands and the beaches to the north towards Whitley Bay attract kitesurfers when the wind picks up. The beach works best for kitesurfing on a cross-shore or cross-onshore wind, and the long stretch of sand provides plenty of room for launching and landing.
The North East Kitesurfing Club (NEKC) lists Tynemouth among its regular locations and is a good starting point for anyone wanting to connect with other kiters in the area. Kitesurfing is not a sport to teach yourself -- lessons with a qualified instructor are essential, and the nearest schools offering IKO or BKSA-certified tuition are based further up the Northumberland coast.
Safety considerations are particularly important for kitesurfers: always check the wind forecast, be aware of other beach users, and avoid the RNLI-flagged swimming and surfing zones. North Tyneside Council's beach bylaws apply.
Best for: Cross-shore winds at Longsands make for good kitesurfing conditions -- connect with the North East Kitesurfing Club for local sessions.
Surfing
Longsands is the surfing epicentre of the North East, with two established surf schools, RNLI lifeguards in summer, and rideable waves at all stages of the tide. We have a full guide covering surf schools, conditions, equipment hire, etiquette, and safety -- read it here: Surfing at Longsands: A Beginner's Guide.
Longsands Surf School and Tynemouth Surf Co both offer lessons with all equipment provided.
Sea Swimming
The North Tyne coast has a thriving open-water swimming community, with regular dippers at Longsands, King Edward's Bay, and Cullercoats Bay year-round. Our detailed guide covers where to swim, water temperatures through the seasons, wetsuit advice, and the local groups that keep the community going: Sea Swimming in Tynemouth.
The long-running campaign to restore Tynemouth Outdoor Pool -- the historic tidal lido at the south end of Longsands -- continues under the Friends of Tynemouth Outdoor Pool. If the restoration project succeeds, it will add a heated open-air pool to the coastline.
Scuba Diving
The waters off Tynemouth and the wider Northumberland coast offer wreck dives, reef dives, and the chance to dive with grey seals at the Farne Islands. Several dive centres and BSAC clubs serve the area. Our full guide covers everything from beginner PADI courses to advanced wreck diving: Scuba Diving Near Tynemouth.
General Safety
Whatever your chosen watersport, a few principles apply across the board:
- Check the forecast. Wind, swell, and tide all affect conditions. The Magic Seaweed and Windguru websites provide detailed coastal forecasts for Tynemouth.
- Never go alone. Especially if you are new to a sport or unfamiliar with the area.
- Wear appropriate kit. The North Sea is cold year-round. A full wetsuit is advisable even in summer; in winter, boots, gloves, and a hood are essential.
- Respect RNLI zones. Lifeguards patrol Longsands from late May to September and mark swimming and surfing zones with flags. Stay in the correct area for your activity.
- Tell someone. Let a friend or family member know where you are going and when you expect to be back.
Into watersports? Get in touch if we've missed anything.