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This tour is for the adventurous wild swimmers and is the perfect balance of exploration and relaxation. Importantly, we know there is nothing more reviving and refreshing than swimming and dipping in hidden swimming spots, coves and beaches along the Devon Coast and with one long swim and additional swims each day, we’ll take you on a magical journey like no other. This tour includes the iconic 6km Avon Estuary to Bantham Beach swim and Burgh Island swim – what’s not to love!
Arriving into Plymouth for 11.00am, we’ll meet you at the station and take the short transfer to the iconic Tinside lido – overlooking the sea it is consistently voted in the top 10 of Europe’s outdoor pools!). We’ll also have the opportunity to swim with the wild swimmers at Tinside Steps before catching the ferry over to Cornwall for pasties on the beach. Our afternoon swim is from Cawsands to Kingsands and back – to idyllic villages within sheltered and normally flat seas! We head back to Plymouth in the afternoon for our first night together as a group.
We head out early to beat rush hour on Devon’s country lanes and ensure the tides are slack and high for our magnificent swim around Burgh island at Bigbury-On-Sea. We will swim together anticlockwise, passing Spider Crabs, Cormorant Corner and Death Valley. We start in bucket and spade territory, before transitioning into the wilds of the ocean. This is wild swimming at its best! Walkers on Burgh island will look down at us, envious of our adventurous spirit, and the cormorants dip and dive as they check to see who is entering their winged colony. We continue to swim past dramatic cliffs and hidden coves before stroking into the gentler waters as we reach the other side of the island.
After a glorious swim we then make our way to Venus café for lunch and a warm cuppa, before heading to the beach at Mothecombe for our afternoon swim on the estuary, the beach or around the corner to Bugle Hole!
We head over to Hope Cove for a beautiful swim in the horseshoe bay before coffee and lunch in a seaside café. In the afternoon we swim the iconic 6km Avon Estuary to Bantham Beach swim. We set off from the top of the estuary on the high tide and swim down the river Avon for 6k (although it feels like 4k) all the way to the beach at Bantham where we have a well-earned pint / g&t in the Sloop Inn. Most of the swim is in crystal clear water in surroundings of unparalleled beauty – it’s really not a race and we encourage all guests to stop often and drink in the wonderful surroundings. We transfer guests back to Plymouth for on-going travel at the end of a memorable weekend.
For full information about this tour and to find out all you need to know, download your copy of the detailed itinerary by clicking the button below.
Trip Dates for 2022 | Availability | Price from |
With easy rail, bus and car journeys from London, Bristol or the Midlands, arrive to the start of your trip in Exeter ready to go! Immerse yourself in dramatic Dartmoor and and the chilled atmosphere of the South Devon coast with a wide range of swims and relax in the evenings with like-minded people in some of the best pubs known to man! We’ll start your holiday straight from Plymouth so just bring yourself, your swimwear, tow float, wetsuit (if you use one) some sturdy walking shoes and a sense of adventure – we’ll cover everything else.
Led by our outstanding qualified swimming guides, who put safety at the forefront of everything they do, we know every hidden cove and beach, bend in the river, beach cafe, local pub and restaurant. Most importantly our guides are students of the sea and understand where and when to swim in relation to tides and weather conditions. We also have inland options available, every day, if the sea is too rough!
We take care of everything for you including accommodation, transfers between swims, wonderful picnics on the beach, lunch and dinner bookings with our guides available from first thing in the morning to last thing at night! All you need to do is relax, immerse yourself in the journey ahead and enjoy.
Swimmers are wonderful people – fact. Our guests are “the salt of the earth”, fun and supportive, groups become like family and often enjoy each others company so much they come back again – altogether!
Plymouth Railway Station
11am
Handpicked 3* Hotels and B&Bs
The best way out of London and other major cities into the heart of Devon is by train. The direct journey from London Paddington to Plymouth is a direct 3 hour journey, ready for a leisurely afternoon strolling and swimming. You’ll start your afternoon at the sea, with the sand between your toes and feeling refreshed.
Absolutely! We bring like-minded people together on these trips, to enjoy a group atmosphere, get stuck into some great activities, water sports, hikes and to share a well-deserved meal with at the end of each day. Over 30% of our guests travel alone and swimmers are always very accommodating and welcoming. Solo guests have the option to have a room on their own or share with another guest.
We require guests to be competent swimmers. All guests must be able to swim 2000m unsupported before joining this tour. If you would like to chat to one of our team about your particular trip, fitness and activity levels and what is involved in coming on one of our tours, please get in touch and we would be happy to help
For all our tours we will send out kit lists in plenty of time before your tour.
What else do I need to bring?
Non-swimmers are actively encouraged and play a full part in the tours. They will be able to walk to all the swims and be part of all of the group activities. They will not be able to travel in support boats or craft however. Please contact us prior to booking if you would like to bring a non-swimming guest.