Guided Snorkelling Experience

One to one £120

Two to one £150

Three or more £60pp

Explore one of Cornwall's richest marine environments on a private guided snorkelling experience from Surf Sanctuary at The Headland Hotel.

Our location is unique. Situated right on Towan Headland, we're just a short walk from Little Fistral and The Gazzle - some of Newquay's very best shore-access snorkelling. There are no vehicles, trailers or lengthy walks; we simply select the best venue for the day's wind, swell, tides and underwater visibility before stepping into the sea.

The waters around Newquay are home to an extraordinary variety of marine life. Depending on the season and conditions, you may encounter colourful ballan, corkwing and cuckoo wrasse, shoals of bass and pollack, blennies, gobies, spider crabs, velvet swimming crabs, sea stars, anemones and, if you're lucky, curious grey seals.

Whether it's your first snorkelling adventure or you're looking to become more confident in open water, every session is tailored to your experience. Along the way you'll learn snorkelling techniques, equipment use, finning, breathing, marine life identification and how to move safely through rocky coastal environments.

This is more than simply swimming with a mask and snorkel - it's an introduction to Cornwall's underwater world with guides who spend hundreds of hours exploring these reefs every year.

1. Suitable for confident swimmers aged 12+.
2. No previous snorkelling experience is required.
3. You should be comfortable putting your face in the water while wearing a mask and snorkel.
4. All participants should be reasonably fit and able to walk over uneven coastal terrain.

1. Swimwear to wear beneath your wetsuit.
2. Towel.
3. Drinking water.
4. Any medication you may require (for example, an inhaler).
5. A warm change of clothes for afterwards.

Everything else, including wetsuit, hood, gloves, fins, mask and snorkel, is provided.

1. Meet your guide at Surf Sanctuary, The Headland Hotel.
2. Get fitted with premium snorkelling equipment.
3. Safety briefing and introduction to the day's conditions.
4. Short walk to the chosen snorkelling location.
5. Approximately 90 minutes exploring reefs, gullies and kelp forests while learning about marine life and snorkelling techniques.
6. Return to the centre to change and warm up.

Every session is adapted to the day's conditions, with the venue chosen according to wind, swell, tides and underwater visibility.