The Best Boating & Kayaking Trips Around Sussex

The perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon with friends & family, gently exploring the Sussex countryside, Riverside South Downs is perched on a picturesque bend of the River Arun. A charming, traditional tea rooms, complete with a sunny deck area that overlooks the river, their self-drive boats are moored just below.

Whether you are a complete novice or a salty sea captain, they provide you with a tutorial to enable you and your crew to navigate the river. With boats ranging in size from 2 – 10 people, plus small dogs welcome on board. Your party can take a delicious picnic with you, or book a table overlooking the river for your return. Whichever you choose, this is simply the best way to unwind on a sunny afternoon in Sussex…

Book your trip at Riverside Southdowns

The Kayak Coach offers a huge choice of kayak & canoe trips on some of the most beautiful waterways that Sussex & Kent have to offer. Based in Brighton, their expert guides will accompany you to explore our local rivers such as the Cuckmere, Adur, Ouse & Medway, along with all the boats & equipment you might need.

From private experiences for two, to birthday parties for kids and adults alike, they also hire a variety of paddle sports including single & tandem sit-on-top kayaks, Canadian open canoes & stand up paddle boards (SUPs) for those who feel more confident on the water.

Book your adventure at The Kayak Coach

The Anchor Inn & Boating is uniquely situated on the banks of the River Ouse, in one of the most unspoilt parts of the East Sussex Countryside. Just four miles upstream from the historic Town of Lewes, this country pub has been providing boating on one of the most beautiful parts of the river hundreds of years.

Unspoilt and home to many wild birds including herons, kingfishers, swan cormorants and moorhens, the river is also home to a variety of species of fish, which can usually be seen basking on the rivers surface. Stretching from The Anchor Inn to the attractive Fish Ladder Falls, a round trip can easily be made in one of their picturesque five-seater paddle boats. And after all that strenuous rowing, the glorious pub garden and a delicious seasonal menu will be waiting for you and your crew. Locally sourced, with most of their suppliers within a 25-mile radius of the pub, the bar also offers real ales, local ciders and carefully selected wines that can be sipped whilst enjoying a sunset over this heavenly slice of Sussex .

Book your riverboat experience at The Anchor Inn

Bodiam Boating Station is ready to welcome you to come and ‘mess about on the river’ with them! Situated just north of the attractive Sussex town of Rye, this boating station is perched on the banks of the glorious River Rother. Perfectly placed to explore the garden of England & 1066 country, this little piece of heaven also includes a stunning timber clad café, with indoor and outdoor seating plus a fantastic campsite for those looking for an extended stay in the great outdoors.

Whether you are looking for a work-out, or some time-out, guests can enjoy over 12-miles of flat river to explore at your own leisure. Ranging from rowing boats at the more stable end of things, to pedalboards for those eager for a slightly wobblier challenge, the river is actually locked at Scott’s Sluice in Iden, and therefore has no current as such. This makes it the perfect spot for families with young children, as well as beginners looking to dip their toes in the water, when it comes to boating!

Book today with Bodiam Boating Station

One of the best locations in the Southeast for paddle sports, the Cuckmere River enjoys calm waters as it meanders towards the open sea at Cuckmere Haven. With breath-taking views of the Seven Sisters Country Park and Seaford Head, where better to get out for an adventure on the water!

Buzz Active is your local one-stop shop for ways to enjoy the water. From kayaking and canoeing to raft building and dinghy sailing, they pride themselves on offering bespoke courses that can be tailored to everyone. Ideal for children’s parties, families, groups with special needs, and corporate away days, Buzz Active is driven to offer everyone a new perspective of our stunning Sussex coastline and countryside.

Book Your Adventure with Buzz Active

Thank you to the invididual boat houses for imagery and information