The Isles of Scilly are a great holiday destination for those who love nature and outdoor activities. It has beautiful beaches, rocky coves, panoramic views and incredible wildlife. Being an archipelago, one of the best ways to experience the beauty and tranquillity of the islands is through water sports. You will get a unique perspective of Scilly when you experience it from the sea.
St Martin’s Watersports hire sit on top kayaks and paddleboards, ideal for having fun out on the water. You can hire our equipment from just one hour through to six days, however long you need to fit in with your holiday plans. In this blog, we look at five reasons to choose your water sports hire from us.
1 Kayak to the Eastern Isles
We have four hire zones for you to explore and you can visit them all with a kayak hire. We are the only water sports hire company on Scilly whose zones include the Eastern Isles.
The Eastern Isles are a group of islands lying to the east of St Martin’s. All the islands are uninhabited and protected to preserve wildlife they support. This includes Atlantic grey seals, seabirds such as fulmars and shags, and the extremely rare red bearded ant.
There are lots of ancient remains to explore. Including a settlement on Nornour which was exposed by big storms in the 1960s. And a variety of cist graves to discover, including the only known boat shaped cist grave on Middle Arthur.
2 Use our local knowledge to plan your water sports hire
We have a wealth of local knowledge and love helping our customers plan their paddling adventure. Anna, who runs the business, has a local boat man’s licence and has lived on St Martin’s for over 25 years. Before starting St Martin’s Watersports she was a scuba diving instructor and also ran seal snorkelling trips.
We monitor the weather and will only hire if conditions are safe. We can provide advice about the tides, for instance the best time to hire to visit the Ganilly sandbar. We understand the impact of the wind direction on hiring, particularly for paddleboards. We may restrict the hire zones to keep you safe.
St Martin’s Watersports are an accredited Wildlife Safe Operator and have undertaken the Adventure training with the WiSe scheme. Knowledge we pass on to you to ensure you enjoy the
3 We provide all your safety equipment
Your safety is our primary concern. We provide all the equipment you’ll need to head out on the water safely. Included in your water sports hire will be a buoyancy aid and a waterproof phone case for your mobile phone. Having a mobile phone with you is a condition of hire, but that means you can easily take lots of photos of your paddling fun. We can also provide life jackets for dogs, in three different sizes.
You will receive a tailored safety brief depending on the equipment you hire. We give you a whistle to attract attention. Your Zone Map shows you where you can paddle to and, as importantly, the areas to avoid.
If you want more dry storage space, you can hire 15 L dry bags. These come with shoulder straps making them easy to carry. We also sell cans of water on the beach, should you forget to bring any water with you.
4 Get a great Day Hire Deal!
We are very fortunate to have the fabulous Island Bakery on St Martin’s. We’ve arranged a Day Hire Deal for anyone hiring any of our equipment for the day. This entitles you to a 15% discount.
Sign up for the Deal when you book your water sports hire online, then head up to the Bakery on the day of your hire. We’ll let them know to expect you. Choose from filled rolls, pasties and a delicious selection of cakes to create your perfect picnic. Then, all that’s left is to choose which idyllic beach you’ll enjoy it on.
5 Create fabulous holiday memories
Nothing, in our opinion, beats exploring the islands from the water. You have the freedom to travel at your own pace. Stop to admire the view whenever you want. Pull up on a beach or simply float along peering down into the water.
Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Isles of Scilly. Slow down and connect with nature.
Spending time with family and friends will create holidays memories that will last forever. Discover your favourite deserted beach together, find your new happy place or giggle about your first time heading out on a paddleboard. There’s a reason we say the best moments happen at sea!
Being out on the water is a great way to explore the Isles of Scilly. There are many reasons to choose water sports hire from us. Our friendly expertise will help you have the most fun out on the water. Visit uninhabited islands, stop off on the Ganilly sandbar and enjoy seeing incredible wildlife. You’ll have all the safety equipment you need and we’ll be keeping a close eye on the weather for you.
We’re always happy to help you plan your paddling adventure. We’ve written blogs on a paddle board tour of St Martin’s, our top 5 beaches to kayak to, our favourite routes for a one-hour kayak hire as well as what to bring with you on your water sports hire. So, whether you choose kayaking or paddleboarding for your water sports hire, we'll ensure you have the most fun out on the water.
St Martin's Watersports hire kayaks and paddleboards from St Martin's on the Isles of Scilly. Please contact us if you have any questions about hiring. You can book your paddleboard