On the Water
Plymouth Sound & Tamar Estuaries Marine Protected Area is the perfect location to enjoy being out on the water, with iconic views and plenty of opportunities to encounter the local marine wildlife. There are also things you can do to help protect the MPA for future generations and make sure we enjoy our blue playground sustainably.
Kayaking & canoeing
Kayaking and canoeing is a great way to reach all areas of the MPA, taking time to explore sheltered coves, entrances to caves dotting the coastline, all the way to the upper reaches of the Tamar Estuary. There are great views to take in, as well as some beautiful wildlife, but do be mindful of the strong tides and currents throughout the marine site.
Remember that, although you may be quiet, birds and wildlife can still be disturbed by your visual presence – please maintain a good distance to prevent them from stress and potentially leaving their feeding or resting grounds. Please also use slipways to access the water, to avoid trampling, or dragging equipment over, sensitive habitats like mudflats, seagrass and saltmarsh.
Stand Up Paddleboarding
There are lots of opportunities for SUP around the MPA, with beautiful views and sheltered bays to explore. Particularly good spots to get into the water are Cawsand/Kingsand beaches, Bovisand and Batten Bay. There are also plenty of public slipways around the city that you can use to launch.
If you are launching from the shore, do be aware that we have a very large tidal range, and a lot of areas are rocky at low tide so access to and from the water can change quickly. Please be respectful of the habitats and species around the shore: avoid trampling or dragging your board over areas of seagrass, kelp or rockpools, and give wildlife plenty of space. Although you may be quiet, birds and other species can easily be disturbed by your presence.
Because Plymouth Sound is a busy working port, please avoid crossing the main navigation channels as vessels will be moving much faster than you, unable to manoeuvre around you and often may be unable to see you – particularly the larger commercial and naval vessels, and ferries.
Jetskiing, waterskiing and wakeboarding
The Plymouth Sound & Tamar Estuaries are a busy traffic area, with marine life that is sensitive to noise and visual disturbance, as well as coastal areas that can be affected by wash from high-speed vessels. Speeds are regulated throughout the MPA but there are designated high-speed areas where you can enjoy these activities.
Please only use slipways to access the water and give plenty of space to wildlife, including birds, who can easily be disturbed by noise and physical presence. If you do see wildlife, please slow down, don’t chase or crowd the animals, and enjoy them from a distance. Please also be respectful of other water users and be aware that there are several designated swimming areas, surrounded by yellow marker buoys, that you should avoid entering.
Download our Water User’s Guide for speed limits and location of designated high-speed and swimming areas.
Windsurfing
You can enjoy windsurfing throughout the MPA, except in the main commercial shipping area of the Cattewater, where the activity is prohibited (the purple area shown in the image to the right). Take care in the Sound – it’s a busy shipping area, with lots of traffic, so avoid crossing the main navigation channels wherever possible.
To help us look after the MPA, please only use slipways to access the water, to avoid disturbing wildlife or dragging equipment over sensitive habitats such as mudflats or seagrass.
RNLI
Guides for staying safe at the coast
Whatever the activity, and no matter how experienced you are, understanding the risks and being prepared could save your life. The RNLI have safety advice on a range of different activities to make sure your visit to the coast is memorable for all the right reasons.