River and Lake Adventures
River kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding and fishing.
Encounter Cornwall
- 07932 469803
- SN PL23 1LW
- [email protected]
Award-winning kayaking and paddle boarding tours on the River Fowey. Highly recommended river kayaking tours with a guide. Dogs welcome! Kernock guests receive a 10% discount – contact us for the voucher code. Encounter Cornwall won the Cornwall Tourism award for small activity business of the year in 2024.
River Tamar
- 01822 833409
- SN PL19 8JE
Experience a canoe trip down the Tamar River between Morwellham and Cotehele with a short break at the village of Calstock. These trips are in large, stable Canadian canoes and are suitable for all ages and fitness levels. You do not need to be able to swim.
Looe River
- 07506 628189
- SN PL12 6R
- [email protected]
Explore the Looe river by self-drive motor boat. Self Drive Boat Hire – Hire a Whaly Boat seating 5 to 7 people and pets with 6hp outboard engine, from £35 per hour per boat. Ideal for exploring the Looe River. The Looe River is a beautiful environment to explore, you will depart from the slipway adjacent to the RNLI Lifeboat Station (in East Looe, near the main beach). The start of your boat trip will pass the working quays of East & West Looe as you head under Looe’s famous arched bridge, which links our twin-towns.
You will then take the West Looe estuary where the ancient Cornish woodlands meet the water’s edge. You may see our resident swans and their cygnets, kingfishers and spot many other inhabitants on, and besides, our beautiful river.
Siblyback Lake
- 01579 342366
- SN PL14 6ER
For a freshwater experience, Siblyback Lake Country Park (14 miles from Kernock), on the edge of Bodmin Moor, is one of the premier watersports centres in the area, with a 140 acre lake.
It also offers tuition and hire in windsurfing, sailing and canoeing as well as rowing boats. They have installed a fantastic new wakeboarding cable and a highropes course (swing like a monkey 40ft up in the air!).
Fly Fishing is also offered – Rainbow Trout averaging 2lb are stocked at regular intervals. Boats are bookable with the ranger. Best flies Viva, Black & Peacock, Montana and Hoppers.
There is a lovely three and a half mile circular walk around the lake, and a café and children’s playground. They have Segways for hire.
For equipment hire, opening hours and rates see their website. Booking ahead is recommended for equipment hire.
Access
- SN PL14 6ER
- 01579 346522
Trampers (cross country mobility buggy) and wheelyboats (wheelchair accessible boats) available for hire at very low cost (trampers are £4 for 2 hours). The path around the lake is now accessible for wheelchairs. Disabled toilets on site.
Colliford Lake
- SN PL14 6PZ
- 01579 346522
At 900 acres, the lake (26 miles away) offers traditional fly fishing for natural brown trout and is regarded as Cornwall’s premier brown trout fishery. Open 15 March – 12 October.
Bush Farm
- 01579 351102
Bush Farm, just 1 mile down the road toward Hatt, has 3 lakes totalling 3 acres stocked mainly with carp (up to 32lb) but also tench, rudd, roach and bream. Day permits cost £9.00 dawn to dusk. Anglers are asked to use barbless hooks and keep nets are not permitted.
Bake Fishing Lakes
- SN PL12 5BW
- 01752 849027
Just off the Trerulefoot roundabout on the A38.
Still water trout and coarse fishing with nine lakes totalling more than 14 acres stocked with rainbow and brown trout. Also good range of coarse fish. Fishing all year. Phone for prices and fishing methods.
Shillamill Lakes
- SN PL13 2PE
- 01503 220886
Lanreath, Looe. Location: Signposted off B3359 between Taphouse and Lanreath. Still water coarse fishing with three lakes totalling 5 acres stocked with a variety of coarse fish. Fishing all year. Phone for prices and fishing methods.
Tregonhawke Farmhouse
- Millbrook, Torpoint
- 01752 823210
Still water coarse fishing with 1 acre of water in sheltered, wooded valley. Stocked with a variety of fish. Fishing all year. Phone for prices and fishing methods.
Deep Sea Fishing
Deep Sea Fishing is available at Looe, which happens to be the shark fishing capital of the UK, and also holds the UK record for shark fishing! For boat charters try:
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I go kayaking or paddleboarding near Kernock Cottages?
Encounter Cornwall on the River Fowey offers award-winning kayaking and paddleboarding tours with experienced guides. Dogs are welcome, and Kernock guests receive a 10% discount. It’s a highly recommended option for scenic river adventures.
Where can I enjoy watersports on a lake in Cornwall?
Siblyback Lake Country Park offers canoeing, sailing, windsurfing, rowing boats, wakeboarding, and even a high ropes course. It’s one of Cornwall’s leading freshwater activity centres and ideal for a full day out.
Are river kayaking or paddleboarding trips suitable for beginners?
Yes. Many guided experiences such as the River Fowey tours with Encounter Cornwall are suitable for beginners. Instructors provide equipment and safety guidance, making them a great way to try paddling for the first time.
Are there fishing lakes near Kernock Cottages?
Yes. There are several fishing lakes nearby, including Bake Fishing Lakes, Shillamill Lakes, and Tregonhawke Farmhouse, offering both coarse and trout fishing. These lakes are set in peaceful countryside locations and are suitable for anglers of different experience levels. Day tickets are usually available, but it is best to check opening times and rules before visiting.
Where can I try deep sea fishing in Cornwall?
Looe is widely known as the shark fishing capital of the UK and offers a range of deep sea fishing charters. These trips provide anglers with the chance to experience offshore fishing along the Cornish coast.
Do I need to book watersports or fishing trips in advance?
Booking in advance is recommended for popular activities such as kayaking tours, boat hire, or deep sea fishing charters, particularly during weekends, school holidays, and the summer season.
Are there accessible boating options in Cornwall?
Yes. At Siblyback Lake, wheelyboats (wheelchair-accessible boats) and trampers are available for hire at low cost. The lakeside path is wheelchair-friendly, and accessible facilities are provided on site.
How much do river and lake activities cost in Cornwall?
Prices vary depending on the activity and provider, but typical guide prices are:
- Kayaking or paddleboarding tours: around £45–£65 per person for a guided session
- Self-drive boat hire on rivers such as the Looe River: from around £37–£40 per hour
- Equipment hire at Siblyback Lake: roughly £15 per hour for kayaks or paddleboards, with sailing or windsurfing equipment around £35–£45
- Wakeboarding sessions: typically £25–£50 depending on the type of session
- Deep sea fishing trips from Looe: around £60–£130 depending on the trip length
Prices can vary by season and activity duration, so it is best to check the provider’s website for current availability and booking details.
