South Sands Salcombe

Nestled on South Sands Beach, at the southern mouth of the Kingsbridge Estuary, the new AquaPaddle location occupies a sheltered, sandy cove within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This estuary, a ria carved by rising sea levels, runs inland between Bolt Head and Portlemouth Down and is protected as both a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Local Nature Reserve (Salcombe – Wikipedia). The beach lies south of the town of Salcombe, with a scenic passenger ferry and sea tractor providing a charming connection (Salcombe – Wikipedia). Calm, clear waters, soft sand, and gentle shelter from prevailing winds make it a pristine setting for paddlers, surrounded by coastal paths, headlands, and natural beauty (Visit South Devon).

The local flora and fauna reflect the vibrant tidal ecosystem of the estuary and its surroundings. Estuarine habitats support a variety of native saltmarsh plants and shoreline vegetation, while the sheltered waters attract a mix of marine creatures, wading birds, and seasonal wildlife. Along the shoreline, you may spot mudflat-foraging birds such as oystercatchers and sandpipers, while the water and adjacent mudflats provide feeding grounds for marine invertebrates and small fish. The adjacent hedges, woodlands, and coastal scrub of the South Devon landscape contribute further biodiversity, forming valuable refuge and feeding spaces for small mammals, insects, and pollinating species (South Devon Nature Trust, Salcombe – Wikipedia).

This exquisite setting will host the Sunday events of SUP the Creek, the GBSUP national paddle racing stop – scheduled for Sunday 19 October 2025 at South Sands (GBSUP Event Details). Paddlers will experience technical and sprint races amid the natural splendour of Salcombe’s estuary—challenging conditions, crisp waters, and the dramatic backdrop of headlands and tidal channels all around.