ABOUT
We are based at Par Beach on St Martin’s and offer kayak and stand up paddle board hire. Have fun with the family, visit uninhabited islands or see the seals.
Various hire periods are available and we provide all the equipment you’ll need to get out on the water to experience the beauty and tranquillity of the islands. We also hire action cameras and dry bags. Please arrive 15 minutes before your hire for your safety briefing and to sign our terms and conditions of hire.
All hire is subject to weather and sea conditions and we reserve the right to cancel your booking if we consider conditions to be unsuitable. We are members of the WiSe scheme.
EQUIPMENT
Kayaks
We have both single and double RTM kayaks for hire. The sit on top kayaks are stable, manoeuvrable and easy to use. Perfect for messing around by the beach or for going a little further to explore the beautiful coastline of St Martin’s and some of its uninhabited islands. The double kayaks have a central seat suitable for a small child. We also have dog life jackets if you want to take your pooch out on the water.
Paddle Boards
Strobe SUPs come from a Cornish based company with 25 years’ experience in watersports. We've chosen three of their most user friendly family designs. The 11ft boards are designed for maximum fun and function and are perfect for both beginners and also the more advanced ride. These boards have enough buoyancy to allow a small cargo such as a dry bag to be added should you want to carry some spare clothes, phone or more importantly sandwiches!
Why not try sharing your SUP experience? Our giant four person SUP 'Strobe Zilla is great fun for all the family,
THE HIRE PRICE INCLUDES:
The hire price includes paddles, seats (for kayaks), buoyancy aids, whistles and a waterproof housing for your mobile phone. We also have 12L waterproof bags available to hire. Ask us about renting an action camera to film your paddling experience. We also have lifejackets for dogs!
The cost of hiring our equipment is outlined below:
Our hire area is divided into four Zones as shown in the map below. We will allocate you a zone depending on your experience, the equipment you are hiring and the sea conditions.
SPECIAL DAY HIRE DEAL:
We’ve teamed up with the fabulous Island Bakery to offer you a great deal when you hire our equipment for the day. When you hire a kayak or paddle board for the day you can get 15% off food and drink from the Island Bakery. We’ll provide you with a dry bag to put your delicious picnic lunch in - you choose the beach to eat it on!
Do I have to be able to swim?
Yes, we do ask that anyone hiring equipment from us is able to swim.
Can my friends use the equipment I’ve hired?
Only people who have listened to the safety brief and have signed the terms of hire are permitted to use the equipment.
Do I have to be staying on St Martin’s?
No, we can arrange your hire time to fit in with inter island boating.
What do I do with the equipment if I’m hiring for a week?
If you’re hiring for more than a day we just ask you to pull the kayak well above the high water line. Please take your paddles and buoyancy aids back to your holiday accommodation every evening. The SUPs are inflatable and come in a bag, including a pump. At the end of your hire period please return the equipment to Par Beach at the time arranged in the safety brief.
Is the hire weather dependent?
Yes, because your safety is our primary concern. If the wind speed is predicted to be above 18 knots in any direction, then we will cancel your hire.
What’s included in the price of the hire?]
As well as the kayak or SUP you will have paddles, a leash, a buoyancy aid, whistle and a waterproof housing for a mobile phone. You can also hire a 12 L dry bag and an action camera.
Can children paddle on their own?
Yes, just please make sure they are within shouting distance of you at all times.
Where can I paddle to?
We have four areas you are allowed to explore and you will be given a map showing your area during the safety brief. The choice of areas will depend on the weather conditions, your experience and the equipment you are hiring.
What if the weather deteriorates?
We will keep a close eye on the weather; if it deteriorates we will contact you on the number you have given us to advise you to return to St Martin’s.
Do I need previous experience?
You don’t need previous experience but you must be able to swim All our equipment is self righting and we will allocate you a zone depending on your experience and the weather conditions.
What else can I do on St Martin’s?
For a small island, St Martin’s has a lot to offer. You can go snorkelling with seals. There are two cafes, Little Arthur and Polreath, and a bakery in Higher Town as well as the Post Office and general stores and North Farm Gallery. The Seven Stones Inn and Karma St Martin’s Hotel are located in Lower Town. You can get fresh locally grown vegetables from Scilly Organics and Scillonian Fayre and freshly caught wet fish and shellfish from local fishermen. For more detailed information about the island please visit our community website www.stmartinsscilly.co.uk
Kayaking and paddle boarding are activities which require a certain level of mobility and fitness and the safety of our customers is our most important priority.
ACCESS
For those visitors who have a disability, whether visible or invisible, and who feel they are fit enough to take part in either activity, if there is a safe way for us to get you out on the water, then we will do our very best to make it happen. If you have any concerns about hiring our equipment, please contact us to discuss your options.
We are based on Par Beach which is opposite Higher Town Quay. Access to the beach from the quay is a short walk along a tarmacked road then down a sloping sandy track. There are public toilets close to our location which have disabled access.
We have 12L dry bags available for hire which are big enough to store hearing aids, inhalers and medication and keep them safe and dry. Our terms and conditions of hire are available in large print.
Getting to St Martin’s from the other islands will involve a boat trip and the use of quay steps. We are based on the beach opposite Higher Town Quay. If your boat lands at Lower Town Quay, which is the other end of the island, there will be a 30 minute walk to get to us.
If you have difficulties with mobility and want to explore St Martin’s after being out on the water, it is possible to hire a mobility scooter on the island. These can be hired on a daily basis and will be delivered to and can be returned back to a Quay. Please visit the St Martin's community website or call Chris Savill on 01720 423563 for more information.
CONTACT US
To make a booking or enquire about hiring our equipment please fill in the contact form below:
FIND US
We are based on Par Beach, opposite Higher Town Quay, on the beautiful island of St Martin’s in the Isles of Scilly (see map below).