Paddle from Exmouth to Lympstone
The trip from the Imperial Recreation ground Exmouth to the small village of Lympstone a little over 3km away is extremely popular and is one of the Exmouth SUP & Paddle Groups favourite trips.
Naturally you'll head out from the Duck Pond across several sand bars so timing is critical for the tides and goes without saying - check the weather and load up the appropriate safety equipment.
It is a relatively safe paddle if the weather's good and the tides are good because you are essentially paddling close to shore all the way and if push comes to shove you can simply hop out and walk back along the fantastic cycle path else even grab the next train back (assuming you are on an inflatable board you can roll up of course).
The above photo is of members of the Exmouth SUP & Paddle Group at Lympstone Beach 2023.
Once in Lympstone you can grab a bite to eat and a drink at either the Globe Inn or the Swan Inn. There is also a small supermarket and a few tea rooms selling cakes, teas and coffees.
The beach at Lympstone is quite narrow and has a rather peculiar feature - the shared clothes drying lines! Yes you'll be greeted by some of the locals "smalls" hanging out on the beach for all to see. It is never quite as bad as it sounds but the temptation to hang a gimp mask up will be overwhelming!
These clothes lines in Lympstone date back a long time and have been used ever since so do avoid getting caught up in great aunt Mable's peculiars!
There's a lovely clock tower in the village right by the beach which can be rented I believe and there's also a rather pretty little harbour where Lympstone sailing club reside.
Entering into the general area of Lympstone you will see several old houses right by the water and these do make a pretty backdrop. Take a while to wander about in Lympstone as there's some beautiful little lanes the locals have gone to great pains to decorate. Keep the tide in your mind though!
Exmouth to Lympstone Paddle Advice
- Launch from the public slip at the Duck Pond Exmouth - otherwise known as the Imperial Recreation Ground. Parking here is either on the ground or by the nearby LED centre.
- Check the tides - you will want to depart roughly 1 hour prior to absolute high water and you will want to head back roughly 30 minutes after absolute high water. Depending on depth of tide you can be a little flexible and if you miss the return window you will need to head west to deeper water then south to return to the Duck Pond on account of the huge sand bars that emerge. You'll see people who didn't quite manage the tide doing the "walk of shame" across the sand bar - if you do the trip enough - you will do all or a bit of it trust me!
- Check the weather - the wind will be a factor so the less wind the better. It does have a habit to blow from the south so the journey back will be against the wind. The less breeze on the day - the better!
- Due to the southerly nature of the wind you'll head toward Lympstone usually on an offshore which generally speaking is a no-no paddle boarding so the less wind the better - keep in mind sea breezes too!
- If the breeze does pick up keep close to the shore line but be mindful of the depth of water as it fluctuates wildly and grounding always an issue.
- Leaving the slip at Exmouth to your right is a series of yellow buoys that represent the eastern edge of a nature reserve. You must not enter this area from 15th September until 31st December unless in emergency of course.
- Along the route into Lympstone you'll pass some small cliffs. These are very picturesque and worth a stop at the little beaches between them.
- Naturally - safety first - you will be in a tidal estuary where moorings and sunken stuff is knocking about so a waist leash is a given and due to the sheer volume of water and size of our estuary we would also urge you to wear a Personal Floatation Device or PFD. Also let someone know where you are going just in case.
- Water shoes! The beach and foreshore at Lympstone is a little rocky plus if you wander about you won't want to be bare foot so a good set of water shoes is recommended.
The Exmouth to Lympstone paddle is lovely and a staple of our group - how about join us and perhaps join one of our Lympstone paddles where locals can plan it all for you?
Join the Exmouth SUP & Paddle Group (Opens a new window)