COMBE MARTIN KAYAK FIELD GUIDE
Paddling Combe Martin: Single‑kayak hire to explore slate‑blue creeks and sea‑cut coves
OSKC Watersports hires single sit‑on‑top kayaks for paddles along roughly 3 km of Combe Martin bay coastline; options run 2–5 hours with prices starting at £25.
Paddling Combe Martin: Single‑kayak hire to explore slate‑blue creeks and sea‑cut coves.
Combe Martin bay opens as a compact coastal lab of creeks, headlands and narrow coves best read from sea level — a short, sheltered stretch of coastline that rewards slow paddling with tight views of cliffs, seabirds and occasional seals or dolphins. OSKC Watersports runs single‑person kayak hire here, pairing stable sit‑on‑top boats with instructor briefings so paddlers of all abilities can explore the shoreline safely.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Creeks, coves and a compact 3 km coastline
Combe Martin offers about 3 km of coastline to paddle, a concentrated stretch of the South West’s scenic cliffs and sea‑cut coves best appreciated from a kayak as you work between sheltered inlets and open water.
Bird colonies, seals and the occasional dolphin
Paddles here come with wildlife on the curtain call: fulmars, oyster catchers and peregrine falcons frequent the cliffs, while seals, porpoise and dolphins can often be seen from the water.
Stable sit‑on‑top kayaks and qualified instruction
The operator supplies stable sit‑on‑top kayaks fitted with luxury seats in a range of sizes, and is the only Combe Martin company with fully qualified kayak instructors and the relevant licences to run sea kayak activity.
What the day feels like
What the outing feels like
You’ll change at the watersports centre, get a concise safety briefing, then launch from the beach into a compact, varied seascape — the rhythm is steady: brief instruction, a few confident strokes into open water, then exploratory paddling into tucked‑in coves where cliffs and birds dominate the frame.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this hire suits — and who should take extra care.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The centre has full changing, shower and toilet facilities, so participants should simply 'bring what you need' for a paddle and use the on‑site facilities to change before and after.
OSKC supplies sit‑on‑top kayaks (new at the start of each season) with luxury seats and a range of sizes to fit different paddlers; cockpit kayaks are available for experienced users only.
On‑site changing rooms, showers and toilets are available at the watersports centre to make arrival and departure hassle‑free.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
What hire durations are available and how much do they cost?
Options run from 2 to 5 hours. Prices for single person kayak hire are: 2 hrs £25, 3 hrs £35, 4 hrs £45 and 5 hrs £55.
Are the kayaks suitable for beginners?
Yes — the operator uses stable sit‑on‑top kayaks and provides a short safety briefing and qualified instruction; the activity is promoted as suitable for all skill levels.
Where do I meet and launch from?
You meet at the OSKC Watersports centre just off Combe Martin beach; kayaks will be on the beach waiting or taken to the water’s edge for you.
What equipment and facilities are provided?
OSKC supplies the kayaks (sit‑on‑top models with luxury seats in a range of sizes) and has full changing, shower and toilet facilities at the centre.
Do I need to be an experienced sea kayaker?
No — sit‑on‑top hires are suitable for most paddlers; cockpit kayaks are available only to experienced kayakers.
What wildlife might I see on a paddle?
Expect seabirds such as fulmars, oyster catchers and peregrine falcons on the cliffs, and marine sightings including seals, porpoise and dolphins at times.