On the water in St Mawes and The Roseland

St Mawes and the Roseland Peninsula are almost surrounded by water – make the most of your visit and explore the Fal Estuary on a river trip, or enjoy the superb facilities for watersports activities such as kayaking, canoeing or sailing.

If you are a landlubber at heart, you can glimps the Roseland’s waterworld from the  King Harry Ferry, or feel the seabreeze on the St Mawes Ferry which offers year-round connections to Falmouth. Another recommendation is to sit back and enjoy the lovely river scenery on one of the boat trips to Trelissick, Smugglers Cottage or Truro. The Place passenger ferry links St Mawes to the St Antony Headland during the summer months. The headland here is the perfect place to view the local working boats racing, or to see the magnificent vessels that take part in the Falmouth Week and the Falmouth Classics or the Pendennis Cup.  

If water is your thing, the secluded creeks and the more challenging open water of the Carrick Roads and Falmouth Bay are ideal for exploring by kayak or canoe. You can bring your own boat, or hire a canoe or kayak on the Roseland.

Perhaps you’re more tempted to let the wind do the work for you. Roseland boat hire companies offer a variety of boats and sailing dinghies for hire. Tuition is available if you’re new to canoeing or sailing, or if you want to brush up on your sailing skills.

St Mawes offers plenty of facilities for the yachtsman too. Local boatyards offer a full range of services, including assistance with moorings, storage, launching, repairs and much more. 

If you associate Cornwall with Surf, there are local surf schools that offer both surf board hire and tuition.

For more things to do, please refer to the main attractions and activities page.