A guide to Extreme Sports and Activities in Cornwall
From water sports to airborne activities, there are a variety of extreme sports in Cornwall that you can enjoy. The county really is a popular place for an adrenaline junkie, as there are so many different activities that you can enjoy.
If this seems like the perfect way to spend your next holiday in Cornwall, then check out this guide for an insight into the extreme sports and activities you can enjoy in Cornwall.
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The top extreme sports and activities in Cornwall
- Watersports at Extreme Academy
- Go on the giant swing at Adrenalin Quarry
- Rock climbing at BF Adventure
- Go coasteering along the Cornish coast
- Go on a hot air balloon
- Try kite buggying
- Go on a zip wire at the Eden Project
Watersports at Extreme Academy
If water-oriented thrill seeking is your game, then you will have arrived at the right place with Extreme Academy.
This beach-side venue, which offers watersport tuition and equipment hire, boasts a two-mile stretch of sandy beach for you to enjoy.
A spokesperson for Extreme Academy spoke to us about just what is on offer: “The Extreme Academy is based at Watergate Bay, a two-mile stretch of sandy beach on the north coast of Cornwall. It’s a specialist school for surfing, bodyboarding, kitesurfing, waveski, handplaning and stand-up paddlesurf, along with technical equipment hire. Whatever your ability or sea condition, they have a sport and instructor to suit you.
“They are open all year round with fully trained and expert tuition, and most importantly, hot showers. They also play host to several top-class events, including surfing and kite surfing championships and ‘Polo on the Beach.”
Whatever you are looking to participate in, there is a range of watersport activities that you can enjoy that will get your adrenaline pumping.
Go on the giant swing at Adrenalin Quarry
When in search of that adrenaline rush on your extreme sports holiday to Cornwall, you’ll want to visit Adrenalin Quarry.
Adrenalin Quarry is a wonderful outdoor environment for friends and family to enjoy a variety of exciting activities, all of which will get the heart racing.
One of the best things you can go on is the giant swing. You will go from sky high to free-fall on their clifftop swing, which is 150ft above the lake.
Director of Adrenalin Quarry, Will Sneyd, spoke to us about what makes Cornwall and Adrenalin Quarry so ideal for extreme sports and activities.
“Cornwall is the right place to find the edge of anything. Sand, cliffs, water and wide-open spaces: it’s a big playground and the perfect place to take it to the limit.
“At Adrenalin Quarry, it’s gravity, cliffs & water in a jaw-dropping film set, the scenery is so stunning you’ll forget about just how high off the ground you are.
“Coasteering with a human catapult? A blur of bodies on a double-barreled zip wire? A giant swing on top of a cliff? Axe throwing? Wild in the woods, hammock camping with your own chef?
“When you’ve done all that, you get to watch Red Bull Cliff Divers practising at 76 feet, defying gravity like ballet dancers on the moon.
“Oh yeah, it’s free to enter, free to swim, free BBQ/picnicking, free parking, and an 800m outdoor arrive and drive karting track. Did we mention the pasties, cake and ice cream?”
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Rock climbing at BF Adventure
At BF Adventure, which is located in Longdowns in Penryn, there is a range of exciting outdoor and indoor climbs for all abilities as well as an accessible abseil ramp, zip wires and a high wire bridge.
This 60-acre site plays host to a plethora of other activities, from archery to kayaking and more. And if you fancy taking the office down for a session of team building, BF Adventure can accommodate you there as well. With the company also doing some important charity work to help locals gain skills and confidence, this is certainly a place you’ll want to invest your time in.
Go coasteering along the Cornish coast
Cornwall is famed for its dramatic coastlines, and with Shoreline Extreme Sports, you can swim, dive, jump, scramble and explore the rugged cliffs around Bude in North Cornwall.
Their favourite coasteering spot boasts jumps of varying heights, historic smugglers’ caves and some amazing underwater flora and fauna that you will explore. There really is something for everyone in this activity.
You can also go sea kayaking, climb the jagged rocks and cliffs of the Culm Coast, try surfing or archery with Shoreline Extreme Sports.
Go on a hot air balloon
If you are looking for an extreme experience this year, but would prefer to balance it with the ability to relax at the same time, then going on a hot air balloon ride ticks all the boxes.
With Aerosaurus Balloons, who are the largest hot air balloon operator in the West Country, you can go on awe-inspiring flights over Cornwall’s dramatic coastline and stunning countryside. Their chief pilot has even flown Sir David Attenborough about.
Aerosaurus Balloons spoke to us about just what you can expect when flying with them.
“A Hot Air Balloon flight is a great adventure, and we can provide an experience that is extremely safe and a lot of fun that will be talked about for many months and remembered for many years.
“Aerosaurus Balloons offer a friendly, personalised and memorable flight experience – far more than just a balloon ride! We offer you a 3-4 hour ballooning experience launching from handpicked locations across the South West, with uninterrupted 360 ° views of beautiful countryside, villages, towns and cities – an experience like no other!
“You can help us prepare the balloon for take-off, find out how the balloon works, enjoy about an hour’s flight and panoramic views of beautiful towns and rolling Cornish countryside, relax and enjoy a glass of chilled Champagne on touchdown and receive your personalised flight certificate signed by your pilot.
“Flights in Cornwall take place regularly between April and October from Launceston and Bodmin East.”
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Try kite buggying
Kite Buggying is the most exhilarating of all kite land sports. This increasingly popular activity sees you sitting in a three-wheel buggy only a few inches off the ground, controlling the steering with your feet and the accelerator with your arms.
It is an all-action activity, which is great for everyone. With Vertical Descents, you will be coached on how to control the buggy and kite together, and you will find yourself moving around in no time at all.
You can try this exhilarating activity at the sandy beaches of Watergate Bay, Par beach, Perranporth Beach and Gwithian Beach.
With Vertical Descents, you can try a variety of extreme sports that range from surf rafting and surfing to coasteering and mountain biking.
Sam Starkie, the Director of Vertical Descents, spoke to us about what makes Cornwall such a great location for extreme sports, and indeed for Vertical Descents.
“We have been running adventure activities for nearly 20 years now, and Cornwall is a fantastic place for them. The diversity in the land and seascape creates unique opportunities for the adventurous mind. Offering over 25 water-based activities and 10 land-based activities, we can offer something for everyone who is in Cornwall or comes to visit.
“The beauty and tranquillity, as well as the raw nature of the county, give a unique aspect to any activity. The proximity to three coasts and a range of inland terrains means that you are never far from the greatest of adventures.
“Vertical Descents caters for everyone, whatever your adventure needs… pioneering and inventing some of the finest, most adrenaline-filled adventure activities that can only be experienced with us.”
Go on a zip wire at the Eden Project
At the Eden Project with Hangloose Adventure, you can fly like Superman on England’s fastest zip wire.
As you will be reaching speeds of up to 60 mph, thrill-seekers will soar over and enjoy unrivalled views of the biomes at the Eden Project. There are two parallel high wires, meaning you can share this incredible zip wire experience with your friends and family.
You can also tackle an aerial assault course and plummet in a giant swing at the Eden Project.
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Frequently Asked Questions about extreme sports in Cornwall
What are the most popular extreme sports in Cornwall?
Cornwall is a hotspot for adrenaline activities, but with world-class beaches like Fistral and Watergate Bay, surfing tops the list. Other favourites include coasteering, ziplining at the Eden Project or Adrenalin Quarry, and rock climbing or abseiling down dramatic cliffs.
Are extreme sports in Cornwall suitable for beginners and families?
Yes! Many providers cater to all ages and abilities, offering safe, guided experiences. Surf schools in Newquay and Watergate Bay provide beginner lessons, while coasteering companies tailor routes for families. Ziplining at Hangloose Adventure and Adrenalin Quarry is accessible to children and adults, and venues like BF Adventure even offer inclusive abseiling for wheelchair users.
When is the best time to try extreme sports in Cornwall?
Most extreme sports run year-round, but summer (June to August) is the prime season for water-based activities like surfing and coasteering. Ziplining and climbing are available in all seasons, though spring and autumn offer quieter experiences with mild weather.
Do I need to bring my own equipment for extreme sports in Cornwall?
No, most activity centres provide all necessary gear, including wetsuits, helmets, and safety equipment. Surf schools supply boards and wetsuits, while coasteering and climbing venues offer harnesses and protective gear.
Cornwall: an extreme sports haven
Cornwall truly is the place to be for extreme sports and activities. With all of the activities listed above, plus many more, getting your kicks on your next Cornwall holiday will be a breeze. Now all you have to figure out is how many of these you are able to fit in!
If you are looking for caravan holidays in Cornwall, you can book a stay at Tencreek Holiday Park
