Cowes Week
Water Activities
- If you want water activities - the Isle of Wight is the place to be. There is loads to choose from including:
- Kayaking
- Standup Paddle Boarding
- Surfing
- Windsurfing
- Kitesurfing
- Dinghy sailing
- Yachting
- Boat tours
- And some I have probably forgotten to add!
Information on where to kayak, surf, windsurf etc https://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/things-to-do/activities/water-sports
You can go kayaking or coasteering with https://www.adventureisleofwight.com/ based out of Freshwater.
Stand-up Paddle Boards (SUPs) are becoming an increasingly popular way to explore some of the Isle of Wight’s surrounding waters.
You can hire SUPs from Two Elements www.twoelements.co.uk who are based in Cowes.
You can also hire mountain bike from Two Elements.
Tacktisle Adventure https://www.tackt-isle.co.uk/ offer a wide range of wet and dry activities including canoeing, kayaking, dinghy sailing, paddle boarding, SUP, and windsurfing. From taster 2 hour session to 5 day courses of 2 hours each day. They also offer private lessons or just hire facilities for kayaks, SUPs, and canoes from the base at St Helens Beach.
Wight Waters https://www.wightwaters.com/ based at Lake – which is midway between Shanklin & Sandown – offer a large range of activities for adults and children alike. Kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing and much more more besides.
Boat Trips and Tours
Based in Yarmouth Black Rock Charters www.blackrockcharters.co.uk offer 2 hour boat trips that take in the stunning coastline of the Isle of Wight, including Fort Victoria, Fort Albert, Hurst Castle, Alum Bay, and finally The Needles Lighthouse and Pinnacles.
They also offer fishing rod hire and fishing trips.
Needles Pleasure Cruises https://www.needlespleasurecruises.co.uk/ also offer trips to the Needles from Alum Bay.
They operate traditional cruise boats (20 minute trip) – but also offer trips about a fast RIB (15 minute trip).
You can also go by boat from Yarmouth to Alum Bay – just once per day though – to spend the day on the beach.
Get the Kids out on the water
The UKSA based in Cowes run regular watersports Fun days for 8-15 year olds. Ideal for getting out on the water and enjoy a variety of different water-based activities including Dinghy Sailing, Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), Kayaking, Windsurfing, Raft Building and Wet Team Games.
Check it out here https://uksa.org/course/leisure/uksa-camps/fun-days/
The UKSA also run a 5-day Summer Camp during the school holiday where even more activities are covered.
This can be booked as a residential or non-residential course. More information here https://uksa.org/course/leisure/uksa-camps/summer-autumn-seasonal-camps/
Yachting
Cowes is known for it’s yachting – with the highlight of the year being Cowes Week – held in August based on when the tides are right.
Some thrilling racing for dinghys, cruising yachts and out-and-out racing yachts can be seen.
Visit the official website www.cowesweek.co.uk but have a look at the history page where there are some amazing old photographs.
The UKSA run weekend introductions to yachting
https://uksa.org/course/leisure/yachting/rya-start-yachting/
If you’re completely new to yachting, this practical course will provide a comprehensive introduction to sailing.
Spend the weekend on a course and then come and chill out afterwards at one of our beautiful apartments.
