Britain’s most iconic coastal locations are an exciting prospect with Old Harry, the Needles, Poole Harbour, Brownsea Island, Durdle Door, and Lulworth Cove to choose from.
Explore England’s Stunning Jurassic Coast by Sea Kayak
Join Canoe Trail for an unforgettable multi-day sea kayaking adventure along the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Jurassic Coast. Famous for its dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and prehistoric fossils, this stretch of Dorset coastline offers one of the best sea kayaking expeditions in the UK.
Paddle past world-famous landmarks such as Old Harry Rocks, Durdle Door, and Lulworth Cove, camp under the stars, and experience the wild beauty of this spectacular coastline from the water.
Trip Description
Sea kayaking and exploring some of Britain’s most iconic coastal locations is an exciting prospect with Old Harry, the Needles, Poole Harbour, Brownsea Island, Durdle Door, and Lulworth Cove to choose from.
The Jurassic Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with incredible geology and sites of interest. From the historic Poole Harbour with Brownsea Island, the birthplace of the Scouts to the chalk stacks and cliffs at Old Harry it is a Mecca for sea kayaking.
Many of our adventures, training trips, and magazine articles have featured the Jurassic Coast and the Isle of Wight. Explore this beautiful area of Britain’s Coast with the Canoe Trail team and enjoy the adventure and sharing our love of the sea and wild areas.
Price: £450 for 4 days of sea kayaking and options to add food and camping to your 'bucket list' paddling trip
New for 2026 we have expanded the trip to 4 days of paddling with our guides
Why Choose This Sea Kayaking Trip?
- Expert Guides – Led by qualified British Canoeing sea kayak leaders with extensive expedition experience.
- World-Class Location – Paddle one of the UK’s most iconic and beautiful coastlines.
- Skill Development – Coaching included throughout to improve paddling technique, seamanship, and expedition skills.
- Small Groups – Friendly, supportive environment with like-minded adventurers.
Who Is This Trip For?
This expedition is designed for paddlers who:
- Are physically fit and comfortable spending multiple days outdoors.
- Can paddle confidently at British Canoeing Discover Award / 2-Star standard or above.
- Want to experience the thrill of open water paddling, tidal planning, and surf landings.
If you’re unsure of your skill level, get in touch—we can help you prepare with coaching and training days.
What’s Included
- Professional guides and coaching
- Sea kayak and paddling equipment
What’s Not Included
- Travel to/from Dorset
- Snacks, meals in towns, or drinks outside the trip itinerary
- Optional extras including hire of drysuits, camping with the team and food
Dates
- 24th August to 27th August - Bask in the warm summer sun
Why the Jurassic Coast?
The Jurassic Coast is England’s only natural World Heritage Site, stretching 95 miles from East Devon to Dorset. Its fossil-rich cliffs reveal 185 million years of history, while the dramatic coastal features make it a sea kayaker’s paradise. From towering chalk stacks to sweeping bays and natural limestone arches, this coastline offers ever-changing scenery and a true sense of adventure.
Ready to Join Us?
Paddling the Jurassic Coast by sea kayak is an unforgettable expedition—perfect for adventurous spirits who want to explore, challenge themselves, and discover the UK’s most breathtaking coastline from the water.
Important Info
Our ever-popular sea kayaking trips are led by experienced coaches, that said you need to be prepared for changeable weather. We will have dry suits (for-hire) and waterproofs available.
You do need to be physically fit and able to paddle at British Canoeing 2 star or Discover Award standard. (Don't worry you can book these courses with us in advance if you are not sure). We may need to change timing, logistics, and locations on this trip dependent on weather, tides, and conditions. We will have some double sea kayaks available which are more stable and quicker.
Trip Itinerary- subject to change at any time if deemed necessary by Canoe Trail
We select 4 days of these trips depending on the group, weather and tides.
Option 1 - Lulworth Cover and Durdle Door
Sea kayaking this iconic section of the Jurassic Coast is one for the bucket list. We will launch nearby at Kimmeridge and paddle westwards towards Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. There are many incredible arches, tunnels and caves to play in along the route. We will have lunch near Man O' War beach or under 'Scratchy Bottom' headland. Over the years we have featured in Bollywood movies and even found a gaggle of skinny dippers as we have paddled this stunning coastline. We cant guarantee either but we can deliver an epic paddle with countless picture postcard opportunities.
Distance circa 8 miles
Option 2 - Poole Harbour, Brownsea Island and Studland
Its the triple crown of exploring by sea kayak as we launch at the quaint town of Wareham following the meandering estuary before it opens up into Poole Harbour with fantastic birdlife. As Brownsea Island drifts into view with its smaller sibling islands there is a further sense of anticipation and excitement. After a brief stop, we head out onto the high seas past the chain ferry and finish on Studland.
Option 3 - Studland around to Old Harry and along to Swanage
We escape the Studland middle beach and paddle across the bay towards the chalky towers, caves and arches of Old Harry spending time exploring nooks, crannies, caves and other geos. Its an incredible paddle with sea life, sumptious white cliffs and plenty of sea birds. There are caves galore, towers and spires along the way as we navigate around to the old town of Swanage.
Distance circa 5-6 miles
Option 4 - Isle of Wight and The Needles
Threading the Needles off the western tip of the Isle of Wight is one of the 'must do's' of sea kayaking. The backdrop of white cliffs and rocky knife shaped islets is breathtaking. Canoe Trail Rich filmed one of his TV snippets with BBC 1 here back in the day using the Needles Lighthouse as the focal point. Around the corner, we will make land for a well earned lunch at Freshwater Bay. Returning back across the Solent waters to the mainland via Hirst Spit we will visit the castle before finishing what promises to be a brilliant day of sea kayaking adventure.
Distance circa 18-20 miles
Option 5 - River Beaulieu to the Solent
Another day in sea kayaking paradise as we explore the charming estuary of the River Beaulieu which has been at the forefront of maritime naval history. Bucklers Hard nestled along our route has been a shipyard for centuries including building three vessels that fought in the Battle of Trafalgar, HMS Euryalus, HMS Swiftsure and HMS Agamemnon. It was also a hiding place for allied landing craft during Operation Overlord. Round the world yachtsman Sir Fancis Chichester also launched the Gypsy Moth from Bucklers Hard. The estuary opens up into the North Solent National Nature reserve teeming with with wildlife before flowing into the Solent. We will explore some of the Solent Water depending on conditions.
Distance circa 12-13 miles
Customer review
"Canoe Trail took us on an incredible microadventure to Dorset's Jurassic Coast last weekend. The first day was spent giving us our first real taste of sea kayaking, paddling 16 miles from Wareham to Swanage. We had privileged views of a Peregrine Falcon as we rounded the cliffs of Old Harry's Rocks and the day ended with a beautiful sunset as we paddled our way across Swanage bay. Our second day, after a night in a pub and a tee-pee, was spent exploring the coves and caves around Durdle Door and finished with an educating skills and drills session in Lulworth Cove. All in all, an awesome weekend spent in great company with brilliant tuition. I would certainly highly recommend Canoe Trail to anyone looking to get out onto the water! "
Ed Taylor
COMMON QUESTIONS
What are the accommodation arrangements?
If you choose the camping and food option, the accommodation will be a campsite which we book. Once the trip is fully booked we send further information to the customers. You can also stay local if you wish and join us each day.
What food do I need to bring?
You will need to bring lunch for each day. Lunch will need to be on the kayaks with you unless the group arranges to stop somewhere once you are all together.
What is the plan for transportation?
Transport is not included. You can either drive to start locations or arrange lifts once there. Your car will be with you during the trip.
What are the plans in terms of weather & safety?
The most important part of our job is to keep you safe. We constantly review and make decisions based on safety. The itinerary may change subject to weather conditions. Just be aware you may need to do a slightly longer drive from your accommodation if we need to reach calmer water. We profile and match the kayaks to our customers.
What do we need to bring for camping?
You have to bring your own camping equipment, including tent.
MEET OUR GUIDING TEAM
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Calum Steel Scottish born and bred! Calum is a White Water Kayak Leader, Canoe Leader, Expedition Leader with 14 Years of Experience in the Outdoors. He has paddled white water all over the world, BASI Level 3 Ski & Snowboard. Calum is an advanced canoe leader, kayak leader and moderate water endorsed coach as well as British Canoeing tutor for safety courses. Calum paddled around his beloved Scottish homeland as part of his degree |
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Richard Harpham Richard has completed over 12,00 miles of human-powered adventures all over the world including sea kayaking the channel, 1000 miles from Vancouver to Alaska, canoeing the Yukon River as well as many iconic trips and expeditions closer to home. Richard has over 30 years experience of in paddling and is a UKCC Level 2 coach, advanced canoe leader, sea kayak leader, moderate water coach, British canoeing tutor for instructor and leadership courses and an endorsed guide / trainer. You can read Richard's article on Sea kayaking the Jurassic Coast and surrounding areas here. |
Sophie (Fun 4 Young People)
Michael (Goldington Academy)
Gemma
Matthew
