Boat trips, private charters, fishing, kayak and SUP hire: discover Looe and the surrounding coast from a different perspective.
Journey times are approximate estimates from Teglios. Local means East or West Looe. Traffic, pace and route choice affect travel times.
Hire a single or double kayak or a stand-up paddleboard without leaving Looe.
The operator lists April–October opening, subject to weather, with hire by the beach’s octopus ride. Buoyancy aids are provided. Check the day’s conditions, child suitability, available kit and current prices with staff; younger children may need a double kayak with an adult. Pet dogs are not allowed on the main beach.
Explore the Looe River in a small motorboat you drive yourself.
Boats are offered for groups of up to five or seven people, depending on the boat. The operator welcomes pets. Book or contact the team for the current season, tide-dependent slots, group size and hire requirements. Follow the briefing and permitted river route; this is river hire, not an invitation to head out to sea. Keep the RNLI slipway clear.
Wildlife-spotting trips and faster RIB adventures along the Cornish coast.
Choose from the operator’s current trip menu and book ahead. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, and routes depend on sea conditions. RIB trips are not suitable for children under two; check suitability for everyone in your party, including mobility, before booking. Enquire directly about an exclusive private charter and whether your chosen boat can take a dog.
A gentler boat outing around Looe Island, with views through the boat’s glass panels.
Boatzer, Nautilus and Octopussy offer island and seal-spotting trips, with dogs welcome aboard. The operator lists April–October sailing, weather and tide permitting. Polperro trips and private hire are also available by arrangement. Confirm your boarding point, child needs and departure time; these trips circle the island rather than land on the nature reserve.
Mackerel and shark-fishing outings, plus bespoke private charters along the coast.
Options include shorter mackerel trips and longer fishing or private outings. Shark trips use a tagging-and-release programme. Ask the skipper about the right duration for children, equipment, maximum passengers, boarding arrangements and dog access. Choose the actual trip in the booking calendar; prices and availability differ by activity.
Choose a two-hour mackerel trip or a longer reef and wreck fishing outing.
The operator currently lists two-hour mackerel, four-hour reef and eight-hour reef/wreck trips, with rods, reels and tackle supplied. Shorter trips are usually the easier family option, but check children’s requirements directly. Low tide can require a transfer between boats and a RIB, so discuss boarding or mobility concerns before booking.
A boat journey with time ashore on the Cornwall Wildlife Trust nature reserve.
Book the authorised landing trip through Looe Sea Safari. Availability depends on the season, tide, weather and reserve arrangements. Pet dogs cannot visit the island. Confirm boarding and mobility requirements before booking. This is different from an island sightseeing cruise, which stays aboard. The pin marks the departure area.
A private coastal cruise aboard a 52-foot Fairline, for a special day on the water.
The Welcome to Looe listing describes tailored cruises with catering and departures arranged from Looe or Plymouth. Contact Jason directly to confirm current availability, what is included, passenger limits, children’s suitability, dog policy and the final price. The listing’s usual season is April–September; confirm dates before planning around it.
A tiny boat trip that turns crossing the river into part of the holiday.
The small passenger ferry operates when tide and conditions permit, rather than on a guaranteed all-day timetable. Ask the ferryman about the fare, dog access and boarding requirements. If it is not running, use Looe Bridge. It is a short river crossing, not a sightseeing cruise.
A simple harbour-side activity with no boat booking needed.
Visit Looe recommends East Looe quay near the Fish Market and West Looe towards Pennylands. Choose a spot clear of working boats and harbour operations. Supervise children beside the unguarded edge, keep a little seawater in your bucket and return crabs gently to the water promptly. Local shops sell crabbing gear.
Hire a kayak at Talland and enjoy the bay from a different perspective.
The beach café advertises kayak hire. Confirm seasonal operation, current sea conditions, child suitability, equipment and prices with the team before travelling. SUP hire is not confirmed here; use the Looe, Polkerris or Fowey listings for that. Stay inside the operator’s permitted area and expect limited parking.
Kayak and SUP hire, paddleboard lessons and tours, plus sailing dinghy hire for competent sailors.
Check current hire arrangements: booking and walk-up advice differs between the operator’s pages. The FAQ lists age 12+ for single kayak/SUP hire and age 6+ in a double kayak with an older accompanying paddler; confirm the rule for your family. Dogs cannot go on hire kit. Sailing hire needs proof of competence. Buoyancy aids and a briefing are provided.
Kayak, SUP and motorboat hire, guided kayak tours and Cornwall Seafari RIB rides.
Choose your activity on the operator’s website and check tide-based slots and age requirements. At the October 2026 check, the hire shop was seasonally closed, with hire by enquiry and RIB rides listed until the end of October. Check the live notice before travelling. Ask directly about bringing your dog and whether your party should choose a guided outing.
Guided kayak trips, kayak hire and SUP lessons in the quieter upper reaches of the Fowey estuary.
A good option when you would prefer a guide rather than independent hire. Tours and sessions run around tides and suitable weather. Check the booking calendar for the right trip, duration, child suitability, swimming requirements and what to wear. Ask about dog access and accessibility before booking; these vary by activity.
An inflatable aquapark and guided coasteering alongside the quarry’s other outdoor activities.
Book the specific activity and read its requirements. The current FAQ lists aquapark age 6+, minimum height 1.2 m and the ability to swim 25 m; under-11s need an accompanying adult. Coasteering is 10+ with a 50 m unaided swim requirement. Follow the operator’s current rules, briefing and equipment guidance. This is an outdoor, weather-dependent experience.
Pins show approximate locations or starting areas, not walking routes or guaranteed entrances.
Map loading. The directions links above also open each location.
Photos: the linked venue and visitor websites, Visit Cornwall, National Trust, Forestry England, South West Coast Path, Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership and Banjo Cottage. Some show the surrounding scenery.