If you are looking for a truly relaxing way to enjoy the stunning scenery and wildlife that the Tamar Valley has to offer, then there is simply no better way to do it than with a Canoe Tamar safari.

Our daily canoe trips all start and finish from Cotehele Quay and because the river Tamar is the boundary between two counties you will be canoeing in Devon and canoeing in Cornwall!

Availability of the journeys varies according to the daily tide times.

Cotehele to Harewood and back

The river Tamar divides Cornwall and Devon. The canoe trip  starts from Cotehele Quay which is about 20 mins from Plymouth. You will be on the water between two and two and a half hours and we will take a picnic break at our private river side wild meadow.

Cotehele Quay is part of the National Trust property based around Cotehele House, Cornwall. The Shamrock, a fully restored Tamar barge is moored there. There are tearooms in the Edgcombe Arms on the quay and delicious local organic ice cream for sale.

On our canoe trip you will paddle past the steep woodlands of the Cotehele estate and the chapel built by Sir Richard Edgcumbe to mark his escape from the Roundheads. A sharp bend in the river take us past Danescombe House, built for a mine captain and once a hotel. Boatyards and moorings bring us to the famous Calstock viaduct completed in 1907 which we paddle underneath. The viaduct is still in use by the Tamar Valley rail link from Gunnislake to Plymouth, and our halt at the village.

The river then winds it way up past Okel Tor Quay on the Cornwall side and Gawton Quay on the Devon side of the river, once part of a large thriving copper industry with ships taking the ore from the 19th century mines along the valley. There is evidence of the mining activity all the way, with ruins, chimneys and disused small quays.

Our destination point on the river can vary depending on the weather and enthusiasm of the paddlers! At an appropriate point we will pull over to the side of the river for a snack and a break, before heading back on the ebbing tide.

Our guides will happily talk to you about the history and your surroundings on the trip and will  answer any questions you have along the way!

See our 2026 Canoe Trip Timetable >

PRICES:

£36 for adults and £26 for under 18’s, with under 5’s going free.

Who can join in?

Everyone is welcome!

You may be coming with a friend or as part of a group or family, but unfortunately, you cannot book a canoe trip as one person, you will need a minimum of two people.

ACCESSIBILITY

Many disabilities do not prevent you from taking part in canoeing, or that can be accommodated to ensure you still have a great trip on the river.  Please contact us to discuss your particular circumstances and we will do our best to get you on the water.

Please be aware though, that some more severe disabilities would mean that the risks of taking someone out would be to high and we would have to say no.  We will always do our best to help but sometimes it is not possible.

Access to and from the launch site and car park is mostly level, and there aren’t any steps or other obstructions. Wheelchair access is very possible.  There are also accessible toilets by the quay at cotehele.

CHILDREN

Age 4 years upwards, there is no upper age limit, but there is an upper weight limit 114kgs/18 stone. Young children need to be at least four years old; otherwise, they may find the boat’s confinement very challenging.

At the upper age limit, if you feel that you are able to sit in the boat for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, and do some paddling along the way then you are welcome to join us.

DOGS

Dogs are very welcome too! Calm and well-behaved dogs regularly accompany us, and it always enhances the trip if you can share it with your four-legged best friend.  You need to be confident that your dog will be happy in the canoe for the duration of the trip.  Be aware that larger dogs are heavy enough to unbalance the boat if they move suddenly, and you may not be comfortable having them in the boat with you.