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Cornwall Marine Directory

The Camel Estuary

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The Camel Estuary is a mile-wide sheltered nook in a coastline of dramatic sandy beaches and beautiful views.

The azure waters of this special part of Cornwall's Atlantic north coast are popular with a variety of watersports enthusiasts, the sheltered nature of the estuary makes it ideal for all manner of on-the-water activities including dinghy sailing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, canoeing, rowing and windsurfing.

Aerial photograph of Camel Estuary

The Camel has its own waterskiing club and school, which provide the opportunity to waterski in the estuary's own designated area for safety. They also offer fantastic facilities to make your day on the water that much more comfortable.

The designated waterskiing area makes the estuary suitable for all standards of skiing and wakeboarding. Whether you are an absolute beginner or a competitive skier you will be able to make the most of this fabulous natural resource.

camel_main_ski 
Wakeboarding on the Camel Estuary

In mid-August each year the estuary is home to the Camel Week regatta - an extravaganza of sail mainly aimed at dinghies, racing catamarans and Cornish Shrimpers which, being sailing boats of local pedigree, have a stronghold here.

The estuary is bounded by Padstow on the west and Rock to the east as it snakes its way south beyond Wadebridge. It is tidal and relatively shallow which means it is great for dinghies, windsurfing and shallow watercraft but not for keelboats of any great depth.

Part of the estuary's appeal is that viewing of any on-the-water action is possible from beautiful sandy beaches which make packing a picnic and taking your time to enjoy the scenery a real option.

The Camel Estuary has also become something of a gastro-centre of Cornwall in recent years with the Rick Stein empire growing in Padstow and the acclaimed Finns in Rock, if a picnic is not on the menu then something a little more upmarket may provide the answer.

camel_qtr_dinghyTime spent exploring the Camel in a canoe or dinghy can provide hours of fun and amusement for all the family. It's possible to hire a canoe or small boat and relax on the beaches or drop a fishing line over the side and see if anything is biting.

If you think the fabulous beaches of Rock and Daymer Bay are special you'd be right, they have long been considered among Cornwall's most exclusive places. Beachfront houses in this area are among the most expensive in Cornwall as this watersports hotspot has proved popular with princes William and Harry who have been spotted on regular holidays here.

One of the best ways of exploring this scenic estuary is by sea kayak which provides one of the quietest and greenest ways to enjoy this fantastic marine paradise - imagine yourself gliding over the surface while exploring an intricate shoreline, occasionally pausing to admire the marine wildlife and birds that live on and near the water.

admire the marine wildlife and birds that live on and near the water

The wooded estuary is a haven for birdlife, indeed bird watchers flock to the area to see the thousands of birds that live in and pass through the area annually. Birds known to tour here include the northern lapwing and European golden plover.

But if you see a pale blue flash in the water it may not be the wildlife - it could well be the brightly painted hull of the Speedwell - the gig of Rock's pilot gig club - as the crew fly past while out training.

If you want an easier way to get on the water, take a trip on the passenger ferry that works its way across the water between Rock and Padstow all year round. It carries cyclists and walkers including folk are following the Camel Trail, which is something you may like to consider while spending time in the area.

The trail is a disused railway line that has recently been resurfaced to form a popular recreation route. The trail runs from Padstow to Poleys Bridge via Wadebridge and Bodmin and follows the route of the river allowing you to walk, cycle, ride horses or just sit and watch the wildlife. It is a great day's entertainment for a family wanting to enjoy the scenery and stay fit at the same time.

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