Salcombe Boat Hire
Get chatting to anyone in Salcombe and chances are they’ll all tell you the same thing… ‘The best way to see Salcombe is from the water’ and they’re right! That doesn’t mean you need to tow your boat to Salcombe. The town is awash with all types of craft in need of a careful skipper. Simply choose your boat from one of our carefully selected Salcombe boat hire companies and you’ll meet experienced professionals who are ready and waiting to instruct. They’ll soon have you kitted out with your buoyancy aids so you’re ready to set sail.
Just look at what’s waiting for you…
The beautiful Salcombe estuary snakes its way up to Kingsbridge, awash with inlets and dotted with beaches, many only accessible by boat. Moor up for lunch at one of the waterside pubs or relax on board with a picnic. We can’t think of a better way to chill with your besties.
So, let’s consider the craft. For starters; you’re spoilt for choice with Salcombe boat hire options depending on what kind of experience you’re looking for (and how wet you’re prepared to get!).
Our Top Salcombe Boat Hire Companies
Salcombe Boat Hire For exhilarating rib rides
Salcombe RIB Club – Special discounts for guests staying at one of Finest Stays luxury holiday homes. This gives a discounted monthly membership of the new family enterprise club with access to 2 Highfield Sport RIBs for a fraction of the cost of ownership.
Sea-n-Shore. For the ultimate in fun and excitement check out the daily rib charter and explore the stunning Salcombe coastline without the hassle of manoeuvring your own rib through the narrow Salcombe streets.
Salcombe Rib Charter has 7.8m Ribcraft with 250 HP engines available for hire by the week or just for the day. (You will need to hold an RYA Powerboat Level 2 or a Power ICC certificate.) An exhilarating experience awaits!
For the best powerboat experiences
Salcombe Power Boats and Sea N Shore. For the freedom of the open sea and the opportunity to discover the secret coves and beaches beyond the bar, these power boats are perfect. Salcombe Power Boats also offer excellent powerboat courses including Ribs4Kids courses and the standard RYA courses. Headed up by Chris Stidston-Nott, an RYA Advanced Powerboat Instructor who also trains the Hope Cove Lifeboat crew!
Salcombe Boats and Boards have a fleet of Whaly 435s for hire. These spacious and stable craft are used by search and rescue teams because of their performance riding the waves!
Traditional Salcombe Boat Hire
For a sense of freedom and adventure with a more traditional experience there’s a 21ft harbour launch with your name on it… Hire an Ibis from the excellent Whitestrand Boat Hire company which comes complete with a safety briefing and lifejackets.
The Salcombe Launch Co. offers an authentic boating experience. With a fleet of clinker style motor boats, these craft are perfect for exploring the beautiful tidal inlets around the estuary and up to Kingsbridge. Hire is available between May 1st – October 1st.
Dinghy Sailing in Salcombe
Salcombe Dinghy Sailing is the perfect option for kids and families planning an active holiday with plenty of sailing courses, activities and taster sessions for children. They also offer private sailing lessons too. Salcombe Dinghy Sailing is an accredited RYA Training Centre, RYA OnBoard Centre and RYA Sailability Centre. With a fleet of Solos, Gulls, Lasers, Optimists and Wayfarers, the team will ensure you have a great sailing experience!
Kayaking in Salcombe
Sea Kayak Salcombe operates out of South Sands beach and offers weekly rentals of single and tandem kayaks and paddleboards, and you can also hire for a little or as long as you want. The hire comes with plenty of professional advice, also wet suits and safety equipment. They also supply dry bags for your phone and personal bits and pieces. For peace of mind they even have a safety boat in operation should you need advice during your paddle. They also have changing rooms and lockers available adjacent to Bo’s beach cafe, which, incidentally is a great spot for a coffee and a cake at the end of the day!
SUP in Salcombe
Salcombe Watersports offer stand up paddle board hire and lessons. They also run private tours and guided explorations around the coastline and in the estuary. Great for getting out on the water and having fun with friends. You can of course hire a board for a couple of hours and have your own adventure.
North Sands Watersports have a local team with a broad understanding of Salcombe and will provide board hire, lessons and tours of the estuary. They also offer free board delivery to your holiday home within 5 miles of Salcombe.
The Ultimate Luxury Boutique Sailing
Sailfunk offers the ultimate yacht charter experience and it’s right on your doorstep in Salcombe! Sailfunk will provide you with your boutique bolthole with a keel. Imagine lounging on the deck or lingering over a deli lunch with a prosecco in hand while you cruise from one beauty spot to the next. You can be as hands on or laid back as you like, the company will offer the services of a skipper too should you wish.
Salcombe Boat Hire – Food for thought before anchors aweigh…
Just a few hints and tips from those in the know – here’s some important stuff from Finest Stays’ Queen Crab:
- If hiring a boat from Whitestrand Boat Hire, ask about finding Ditch End which is the most gorgeous and sunny beach that is often protected from the wind.
- Avoid landing your boat at Sunny Cove! More often than not, there is a horrible wave that breaks onto this beach and we’ve seen many people tipped out of their boats which is a frightening experience.
- Paddleboarding is a sublime way to enjoy the estuary – we recommend exploring the quieter creeks towards Southpool and Kingsbridge for peaceful paddling without the wash of the boats to make you wobble.
- For a real adventure, go out with the team at Sea Kayak Salcombe based at South Sands. They seriously know their stuff and have exceptionally good snacks!
- Sailing on the high seas is such a thrill, and it is the traditional pastime that has been enjoyed for centuries in Salcombe. If you can hunt down local boy Scratch for a sail in his yawl, you won’t be disappointed.
Get in touch with our friendly team during your stay and we can help you get on the water.