Beginner Coasteering in Cornwall

One of the Best Things to Do in Cornwall for Families

Beginner coasteering is one of the best things to do with kids in Cornwall. If you’re visiting Cornwall with kids, try one of the most exciting family activities Cornwall has to offer.

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Dive Into Beginner Coasteering at Stunning Praa Sands
A Family Favourite on the Cornish Coast
Jumps, Swims & Scrambles for All Ages
Child jumps into the sea with family watching from the rocks — a fun thing to do with kids in Cornwall.

One of the Best Things to Do With Kids in Cornwall

Unmissable Family Activity in Cornwall

Beginner coasteering is one of the most exciting things to do in Cornwall for families — and there’s no better place to try it than Praa Sands. Our sessions are designed for kids, parents, and first-timers of all ages, offering the thrill of coasteering at a pace that’s safe, supportive, and seriously fun.

We’ve built these adventures specifically for families and beginners: no pressure, no big leaps (unless you want to), and expert guidance every step of the way. Expect two hours of cliff jumps, sea caves, swims, and scrambles in one of West Cornwall’s most scenic coastal playgrounds.

Child jumps into turquoise sea while a guide and group look on — one of the best things to do with kids in Cornwall.
Gentle Thrills, Big Smiles

Perfect for families, first-timers and younger kids

Beginner Coasteering combines fun-sized cliff jumps, easy swims and relaxed scrambles — a safe, exciting introduction to one of the best things to do with kids in Cornwall.

Young boy in a helmet explores a narrow sea cave — a fun and curious family activity in Cornwall.
Sea Caves & Tunnels to Explore

Discover wild corners of the Cornish coast

Swim through sea arches, squeeze into gullies, and uncover rocky passageways only accessible by coasteering — a true family adventure in Cornwall, made for curious kids (and adults!).

Scenic view of the rocky coastline at Praa Sands — a peaceful, family-friendly coastal route in Cornwall
A Route Like No Other

Stunning Coastal Route at Praa Sands

We’re the only licensed coasteering provider here, guiding you through one of Cornwall’s most beautiful family-friendly spots — with views, wildlife, and hidden gems around every turn.

One of the Best Family Activities in Cornwall

If you’re looking for unforgettable things to do with kids in Cornwall, our beginner coasteering sessions at Praa Sands are hard to beat. We’ve been guiding families here since 2014 and know every corner of this incredible route. It’s one of the top family activities Cornwall has to offer — and you can read more about why we love it in this blog post about Praa Sands.

Praa Sands delivers everything you’d want from an adventure on the Cornish coast: a long sandy beach, crystal-clear water, and a dramatic stretch of cliffs packed with gullies, caves, and sea arches to explore. With parking, cafés, and beach shops nearby, it’s a breeze to enjoy a full day out in Cornwall with kids.

While our regular coasteering trips are open to all experience levels, beginner sessions are ideal for anyone new to the sport — especially families. If you’re after fun activities in Cornwall that are safe, exciting, and totally unique, this is a brilliant way to dive in.

“Great session, will definitely book again. Matt and Lee were great hosts, the kids felt safe and had loads of fun – what more do you want?!”

Phil Cloak, Oct ’20

Beginner Coasteering on Cornwall’s Scenic South Coast

Experience the wild beauty of the Cornish coast with a fun, accessible adventure that’s perfect for first-timers and young thrill-seekers alike.

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Relaxed Coasteering for Kids, Parents & First-Timers

We know that trying something new, especially with a group, can feel intimidating. Lots of families tell us they’re nervous about being pushed to do big jumps or keep up with more adventurous participants. That’s why our beginner coasteering sessions are designed to be pressure-free from the start. You’ll be with others who want the same relaxed pace, and our guides will always support your choices without asking you to do anything you’re not comfortable with.

At Kernow Coasteering, we’re experts at tailoring the experience to each individual. Whether you’re a confident adult or exploring Cornwall with kids, we help everyone find their level of challenge. If you’re after fun things to do in Cornwall for families, but prefer something supportive, safe, and encouraging, this is exactly the kind of group you’ll want to be part of.

If you’re wondering what’s included or how the cost compares across sessions, you can view our full pricing breakdown here. You’ll find options for group discounts, multi-session bookings, and more. Still have questions? Our coasteering FAQs cover everything from age limits to what to bring.

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Excellent. Family beginner trip (including a 9 year old). It was exhausting but very very good fun.
Ed C.
August, 2023
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An excellent 4 hours exploring the coast, swimming through gullys, and jumping off rocks of increasing height!
Matt L.
July, 2024
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There were higher jumps for the daring and lower ones or the possibility to skip the jump altogether. Thanks for a great experience!
Anke M.
July, 2023
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Amazing experience! We had so much fun and this really felt like an adventure whilst feeling safe at all times. Thank you Matt and Saph!
Hannah S.
July, 2024

Read more reviews from beginner coasteering families.

Beginner Coasteering
in Cornwall

£45 per person

(approx. 3 hours)

Book Coasteering Now!

The minimum age for Beginner Coasteering in West Cornwall is 9-years-old. Note that children younger than 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult to participate in any of our coastal adventures.

Worried About the Jumps? Don’t Be!

Jumping is not a requirement on any of our coastal adventures. However, if jumps aren’t your thing and you definitely aren’t looking for the big ones, this is the trip for you. With less emphasis on jumping, and no jumps greater than 5 metres in height, you can relax knowing you’re with a group who aren’t looking to set any high-diving records — just enjoy one of the best family activities Cornwall has to offer.

Our beginner sessions still feature a large number of small to medium jumps. You can simply pick and choose the ones you want to do, or skip them entirely — making it perfect for cautious first-timers and kids coasteering in Cornwall for the first time.

Group swimming through a dramatic coastal gully on a beginner family adventure in Cornwall

Want to see more? Browse our coasteering photo gallery.

Young person launching from one of the highest jumps on the beginner coasteering session in Cornwall
Man stepping across a narrow gully on Cornwall’s rugged coast during a beginner session
Two children making their way through a narrow seaweed-lined channel on a coastal family trip
Young coasteer jumps into clear Cornish water as an experienced guide supports a family group nearby

Safe Coasteering with Experienced Guides

Kernow Coasteering is the longest-running coasteering provider in West Cornwall. Our guides have unmatched local experience and know exactly how to keep things safe, fun, and flexible — especially when guiding families or children. You’ll be in safe hands from start to finish, with expert support to help you enjoy the Cornish coast up close, at your own pace.

Have questions? We have answers!

Explore the answers to some of the most common questions about our Beginner sessions.

As a water-based activity, swimming is definitely an integral part of coasteering. If you want to try it, but you think that your swimming ability might not be quite up to doing a more challenging trip, then our beginner’s session has got you covered. Whilst there is no avoiding swimming altogether, as we carry these sessions out at low tide, there is more exposed rock to walk on and less obligatory swimming required to get around the route.

Almost everyone who tries beginner coasteering in Cornwall is surprised by how manageable the swimming is. If your group is visiting Cornwall with kids or weaker swimmers, this is the perfect starting point.

No, you don’t. Our standard coasteering sessions are also open to all and no previous experience is required. You can simply choose which experience you prefer.

There’s no denying that coasteering is a bit of a workout, and after a couple of hours swimming and scrambling around the Cornish coast with us, you’ll definitely be feeling it. You’re already on to a winner with our beginners’ coasteering sessions, as we’re already reducing the amount of swimming required. In addition, we’ll be moving at a slower pace and not covering quite as much ground as our standard sessions. That’s going to leave you with  plenty in the tank afterwards to enjoy the rest of your day.

If you feel that you level of fitness might hold you back, consider joining a beginner group. You can still enjoy all the exciting aspects of a coastal adventure, without feeling you’re having to break your neck to keep up with a faster-moving group.

Coasteering is an adrenaline-filled adventure for some, but it’s also a surprisingly relaxed way to explore the Cornish coast — especially for families looking for fun activities in Cornwall that don’t require extreme fitness.

If you’re searching for things to do with kids in Cornwall that are exciting, safe and led by experts, beginner coasteering is an ideal choice. At Kernow Coasteering, our minimum age for coasteering is 9-years-old. If you have very young children in your group (i.e., 9 or 10), you may decide that beginners’ coasteering is the best option for your family. It is swimming through the sea, particularly when there is a little bit of swell, that young people find challenging. Note that children younger than 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult to particpate in any of our coasteering adventures.

The jumps on this session will still be plenty big enough for the young’uns, and more importantly, we do find that the very young can struggle with the sea conditions on our Standard Coasteering Sessions. If you’re unsure which option is best for you and your family, Contact us to have a chat to help you decide.

It is likely that your brave children will be adamant about doing the biggest jumps we can offer prior to the session. But, once coasteering begins, it can be a very different story. In most cases, our small and medium cliff jumps are plenty enough for younger coasteerers, and a beginners’ session comes with the added bonus of less swimming required, and more options to swerve sections of rough water. All good news for keeping everyone in the family happy during your coasteering experience.

It’s certainly true that sometimes we go coasteering in quite rough sea conditions. However, everything stated about our beginner sessions still holds true. At low tide, there is more rock exposed, giving much more shelter from the swell, as well as much more opportunity to avoid rough sections of sea via ledges only exposed at low tide.

Coasteering in rough seas can be a challenging experience for anyone not used to it and the chances of the Atlantic being bath-tub calm on any given day are slim. If you don’t want to be battling the ocean swells and want to keep your adventure on the calmer side, then you’ll probably prefer a beginners’ session.

If you have booked this experience with us and the sea conditions are forecast to be particularly rough, we may contact you to suggest an alternative day, with calmer sea conditions, to enjoy our coasteering on instead. 

Absolutely. Coasteering in Cornwall is safe for kids — especially when led by qualified, experienced guides. At Kernow Coasteering, we’ve been running coasteering adventures in Cornwall for over a decade.

Our beginner routes are carefully chosen to minimise risk, and we always adapt the pace and challenge level based on each group. Helmets, wetsuits, and buoyancy aids are provided, and no one is ever pressured to do anything they’re not comfortable with. It’s one of the most exciting — and safest — ways to explore the coast with kids.

 

Exploring the coast at low tide gives you a few bonuses that you can’t get on our standard coasteering in Cornwall experiences. At low tide a whole world of nature is revealed, normally hidden when coasteering at high tide. The intertidal habitat is revealed in all its glory, and you can get up close and personal with the many plants and animals that live here.

This includes many incredibly colourful seaweeds, multi-coloured sponges and many others that occupy this turbulent ecosystem. Our knowledgeable guides can share their knowledge of these diverse species with you, from blue-rayed limpets to strawberry anemones. For families exploring Cornwall with children, this also means more route options with less swell, making it ideal for younger coasteers.

We’re confident that once you’ve competed one of our Beginner sessions, you’ll have a wonderful sense of achievement and that your appetite will be sufficiency whetted to try one of our more our high-adrenaline route at Land’s End on your next visit to Cornwall.

Generally, we only run our Beginner sessions during the summer holidays. But if you and your group would like a beginner session outside of these times, contact us and we’ll be more than happy to arrange a bespoke beginners’ session for you.

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Smiling couple wade through a narrow sea gully on a child-friendly coasteering session in Cornwall
Group of children laughing and relaxing in a natural pool during a coasteering session in Cornwall
First-time coasteer leaps from a low cliff with Praa Sands beach in the distance
Family group explores rock formations at low tide near Penzance on a guided coasteering route