So where can I paddle Board in Exmouth?
Chances are if you're reading this then you are visiting our lovely town and that's great but the main question is now "where can you go paddle boarding?".
Exmouth is situated in the south east corners of Devon just below the city of Exeter which is some 25 minutes up the train track from Exmouth running alongside the stunning Exe Estuary. The estuary is our first port of call on our paddle journey around the wonderful seaside town of Exmouth so let's start at the famous "Duck Pond".
The Duck Pond
Firstly - there's hardly any ducks and it ain't a pond but rather a cove situated in the south east corner of the Exe Estuary. mostly flat water - the Duck Pond benefits from relatively safe, shallow paddling at high water with several sandbanks at low water forming lovely little enclosed "lakes" to practice your skills on in safety at low water if the low water isn't too low in which case - there's no water!
To the eastern end of the Duck Pond heading north toward Lympstone there's a nature reserve which is a no go zone between 15th September and December 31st so best avoided to allow our feather friends to do as nature intended.
Best times to paddle at the Duck Pond are 1.5 hours before high water and 1.5 hours after high water with perhaps an hour of slack water in between. The water on a moving tide can run quite fast so all trips from the Duck Pond must be planned and while you are planning your tides you will want to check the weather too. Being a seaside town Exmouth does get the odd sea breeze so be aware of what the weather is likely to do on the day of your paddle if planning a more adventurous trip like paddling to Lympstone, Turf Locks, Star Cross or Cockwood (more about those in our other blogs).
The Duck Pond is best avoided when the wind is from a northerly direction as that is directly down the estuary and anything over 10 knots will make for a non-fun paddle. Off shore winds over 10k should always be avoided on a paddle board.
Safety!
The estuary is a mooring area and we strongly urge anyone paddling there to wear a waist leash! PFD's are also recommended and let someone know you are heading out.
Where do I park?
Parking is easy - you can park on the Imperial Recreation ground right alongside the water but beware! Come late it'll be jam packed with tourists and motorhomes who tend to stay all day. There's plenty of parking in the LED car park next to M&S Food Hall too parking shouldn't be an issue.
What 3 Words
- Imperial Rec ground parking: ///completed.bolt.foal
- LED car park: ///honey.gracing.dweller
- Station car park: ///trend.linked.anyone
Exmouth Seafront
Paddling directly off of the seafront to the west of the main beach best avoided when the tide's running as the estuary empties out here and paddling when the tides moving can be a struggle! At slack water there's great paddling to be done and some paddlers catch the estuary elevator from the Duck Pond out the estuary, along the beach to Orcombe point when the tide's coming out then turn around and come back on an incoming tide - this is for experienced paddlers ONLY!
Paddling off of the seafront is very much open water paddling and there's more often than not a slight swell so great stability training!
Heading east you will soon come to the Exmouth RNLI boat house. There's lots of parking around the seafront so take your pick. This area and further east toward Orcombe point isn't greatly affected by the tide. It is still a consideration of course but almost all states of tide are managed up this end of Exmouth beach.
Further east toward Orcombe point we get to a lovely spot often frequented by small waves that can reach surfing height sometimes and a great place to practice your wave paddle boarding.
As with all these areas please be mindful of local bylaws and the weather!
Safety
- NEVER paddle in a strong offshore wind (10k+)
- ALWAYS check the weather before paddling
- ALWAYS check the tides before paddling
- ALWAYS wear the appropriate leash for the paddling you intend (ankle for surf, waist around moorings etc)
- ALWAYS wear a Personal Floatation Device
- Let others know you are going out and when you are expected back roughly
- Dress accordingly
- Carry your phone if you have one and if possible have a whistle to hand
Here are Exmouth SUP & Paddle Group we are experts in paddle boarding around Exmouth and so the ideal place to begin if you are visiting the area is simply to JOIN US and ask us places to paddle!
With over 2,500 members you're bound to find a paddling partner!