Secret Kayaking Tours on the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight is a hidden gem for sea kayaking. The unspoilt coastline is a mix of towering cliffs, broad sandy beaches, and hidden coves that can often only be reached by water. It is a kayaker’s paradise.

These three kayaking tours focus on ‘secret’ destinations that you can visit by sea kayak on the Isle of Wight. All three tours are for experienced sea kayakers, as they involve tidal waters and exposed coastlines; make sure you have the knowledge, charts and equipment to handle them safely, then head out and explore.

Launch at Appley Beach slipway at three hours before high water Portsmouth (HW PMH -3), and head east towards Seaview.  Launching at this time should mean you catch the last of the eastward flood time, although you may need to walk the boat out to the edge of Ryde Sands to launch.

You can stay as close inshore as depth allows, and weave your way between the moorings off Seaview Yacht Club. Following the coast around, you come to Seagrove Bay – a popular swimming and sailing beach. Then, there is one more headland before you turn into the tree-lined shore of Priory Bay.

At high water, Priory Bay can only be reached by a small footpath or from the water, so it is often a secluded spot where you can pause for as long as you wish. If you are looking for refreshments, head around the next headland and into St Helens Duver, where you can refuel at The Baywatch Cafe.

On the return leg you should have the tide assisting you back along the coast to Ryde. Enjoy being swept along and reward yourself with an ice cream when you pull up at Appley Beach.

Only to be attempted on a calm day, this is a beautiful kayak under the towering white cliffs of Tennyson Down in the West Wight.

Leave Freshwater Bay at four hours after high water Portsmouth (HW PMH +4) and paddle out of the protected waters of Freshwater Bay and into the English Channel. Turn west, and paddle beneath the giant chalk cliffs that inspired many of Tennyson’s poetic works.

You can stay close inshore here, but it is worth leaving some space in case of small rockfalls from the cliff edge. Scratchell’s Bay is approximately three (3) nautical miles west of Freshwater Bay, and it is the final bay before the iconic Needles landmark.

The approach to Scratchell’s Bay is peppered by submerged rocks, most notably St Anthony’s Rock, and the wreck of the cargo ship Ibex. Try and locate these on your way in, and steer well clear.

Pulled up on the pebbles at Scratchell’s Bay is the perfect place for a secluded picnic. Sheltered under the cliffs you can gaze out on the uninterrupted English Channel, and have the best view of The Needles.

On the paddle back you should be assisted by a slight east flowing tide, delivering you swiftly back to Freshwater Bay.

Luccombe Bay feels like stepping into Jurassic Park or the Lost Island – recent cliff falls have left the bay’s surroundings raw and natural – with the treelined clay slopes rising above the rock-strewn beach. This bay can be reached on foot from Shanklin seafront at low tide, but at high tide it is only accessible by kayak or paddleboard.

You could approach Luccombe from Ventnor, or for a much shorter paddle from Shanklin, but paddling from Yaverland allows for an easy launch and an opportunity to take in the full length of Sandown Bay, while also being sheltered from prevailing winds and assisted by the tide.

To be tide-assisted, leave Yaverland slipway at three hours after high water Portsmouth ((HW PMH +3); this will ensure you have south-going tide to take you from Yaverland down towards Sandown and onwards to Shanklin. Stay close inshore to maximise the tidal benefit.

Aim to reach Luccombe Bay by five hours after high water Portsmouth, just as the tide begins to turn inshore. At low tide there should be plenty of beach to pull your boat up on, and have a leisurely picnic in the secluded bay. Set off again after your stop, and you should have a tide assisted trip back to Yaverland.

These three sea kayak tours will show you some of the most beautiful destinations for kayaking on the Isle of Wight. From secluded sandy bays to towering white cliffs; paddling is one of the best ways to experience the Isle of Wight.