Launching our canoe at New Bridge at Bowcombe Creek in Kingsbridge and paddling out into the open estuary towards Salcombe is one of the best ways to spend a sunny day in South Devon.

If the tide is right and it’s early morning, everywhere is quiet as the boat slides into the water. We head into ‘The Bag’ – the wide expanse of water in the Kingsbridge / Salcombe estuary which is classed as an area of outstanding natural beauty. The sun is breaking through the early morning mist and as we glide along a pair of swans might join us on our journey.

We moor up on the visitor pontoon at Whitestrand in Salcombe and head in for a refuelling coffee and croissant. Next we point our canoes in the direction of Millbay beach, where we arrive Hawaii 50 style by shooting up on to the golden sand, often helped by the surge of a small breaking wave.

A picnic lunch on the beach is followed by some traditional games, then it’s time to return to Bowcombe before the water runs out!

Photo courtesy of SAGT on Flickr