Coasteering in Newquay: Secret Cove with Cave Jumps

Climb through sea caves and jump into deep plunge pools in a secret Cornish cove.

Coasteering in Newquay is a two-hour activity where you climb, traverse and jump through a hidden cove that instructors pioneered away from other groups. You'll navigate sea caves, leap into crystal-clear deep-water gullies, learn to traverse horizontal rock faces, and encounter seals and other marine life along the way. All equipment is provided, and a qualified English-speaking guide leads groups of no more than a handful of people at a time.

The Experience

Newquay's Adventure Gully Coasteer starts just minutes from Towan Beach at a secret spot your instructors found and developed themselves. The cove is small enough that you won't cross paths with other coasteering groups, which means the whole two hours stays focused on you and the rock. What makes it different from a standard beach visit is the route itself: you'll scramble up through a hole in the rock called Smeagol's Perch, then drop down into the middle of a plunge pool deep enough to jump into safely.

The skills you pick up are real ones. Horizontal climbing across rock faces (called traverses) teaches you how to move sideways along the stone without losing grip. You'll learn to negotiate sluices and natural rapids, swim through sea caves, and clamber over gully wash troughs. The jumps are the payoff—you leap from the rock into the water below, and the depth and clarity of the pool mean there's no shallow landing. Between the technical moves, your guide points out the marine life that lives in and around the cove: seals show up regularly, and the instructors know what else you might spot.

All coasteering equipment is provided and fitted before you start. Your guide is qualified and trained to teach you the movements and keep the group safe as you work through the cave system. The activity suits children from age 8 upward, though you'll need a moderate level of fitness to handle the climbing, jumping and swimming that make up the two hours.

What’s included

• All coasteering equipment.
• professional qualified guide leading the group in English.
• instruction in climbing, traversing, cave swimming and safe jumping techniques.
• two hours of access to the secret cove.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Newquay Activity Centre

Is this one for you?You'll end the two hours having learned real technical skills and jumped into sea caves most visitors never find—the small group size and hidden location mean the whole experience stays focused on you and the rock, not on managing crowds or following a standard tour route.

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Top questions

What exactly is coasteering and what will I actually do for two hours?

Coasteering combines climbing, jumping and swimming along the coast. In Newquay's Adventure Gully, you'll scramble up through rock holes, traverse horizontal cliff faces, leap into deep plunge pools, swim through sea caves, and navigate natural water features like sluices and rapids—all within one hidden cove.

Is this the same as a regular guided swim or a rock climbing lesson?

No. Coasteering blends climbing, jumping and swimming in one continuous route through the rock formations themselves. You're not climbing a wall or swimming in open water; you're moving through the cove's natural features—caves, ledges, pools and gullies—as part of a single adventure.

Will I see other coasteering groups or crowds during the activity?

No. The Adventure Gully is a secret spot your instructors pioneered, and it's small enough that other groups don't use it. You'll have the cove to yourself and the wildlife that lives there.

What's the water like, and will I be swimming the whole time?

The plunge pool is crystal clear and deep enough for safe jumping. You'll swim between some of the technical sections and through sea caves, but you're also climbing and traversing rock, so it's a mix of movement rather than continuous swimming.

Do I need any experience or special fitness to do this?

You need a moderate level of fitness to handle climbing, jumping and swimming for two hours. Children from age 8 are welcome. The activity is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or if you're pregnant.

What happens if I'm not confident about jumping into the water?

Your qualified guide teaches you the skills and movements step by step, and you work through the route at a pace that suits the group. The jumps are part of the route, but your guide will work with you on how to approach them safely.