OVERVIEW

Perfect for a days micro adventuring on calm seas, our Island Explorer tour circumnavigates Little Cumbrae, one of the jewels of the Firth of Clyde Islands, which are situated 2km from the Ayrshire mainland launch spots.  You’ll likely be joined by bottle nose, common and harbour dolphins, followed by inquisitive seals and spot plenty of bird life and marine life on our travels around the crystal clear waters.  Experience paddling within the inter-tidal zone is preferable.

TOUR PROFILE

clyde island explorer tour

duration

3 - 4 hrs

price

55.00 pp

season

March - November

group size

Max 6 paddlers

meeting point

Portencross Castle Car park

finish point

Portencross Castle slipway

type

Coastal sea and
Island

route

Circular

tOUR info

tour highlights

  • Stunning vistas of the Firth of Clyde islands inc Arran, Bute and Greater Cumbrae
  • Launch from the fabled resting place of Kings at Portencross Castle near Largs
  • Journey around the historical Isle of Little Cumbrae 
  • Wildlife watching including, Dolphins and sea birds
  • Paddle to a 13th century castle and Scotland’s second oldest lighthouse
  • Sheltered Inlet for lunch stop

what's included

  • Qualified and experienced local guide
  • 3-4 hours delivery and on water leadership
  • Safety and leadership group equipment
  • High quality SUP equipment hire inc QR belt
  • Lomo Dry bags
  • Changing robe and standing mat
  • Complimentary inflation of I-sup
  • Lomo 5mm Wetsuit and Peak UK PFD
  • Pre arrival drink and after tour snack/hot drinks
  • Photography capturing your tour experience and sent to you electronically.

what to bring

  • Towel or robe for after changing
  • Old trainers or shoes suitable for walking over rock which can get wet
  • Personal Wetsuit (min 3mm)
  • Swimwear for under wetsuits
  • Personal Flotation Device (Buoyancy Aid)
  • Fleece, warm clothing for changing
  • Kit bag for wet clothing
  • Stand Up Paddleboard, paddle, leash (if you have your own and it is in suitable condition)
  • Water bottle or flask with drinks
  • Snacks
  • Personal Medication
  • Suncream 
  • Hat/gloves (Oct onwards)
  • Warm clothes for changing into post tour
  • Phone and waterproof phone case

is this tour right for you?

We recommend this tour to paddlers who have completed an Intro to SUP lesson with a reputable provider and feel comfortable paddling for longer distances over 2hours of exercise.

See our Tours Guide on the Tours Home page

Suitable for Orcas, Sea Turtles and Porpoises

 

tour itinerary

  • Meet your guide at Portencross Castle public car park
  • Kit up, inflate and kit check
  • Tour welcome brief, weather check and timings
  • Tour commences from Portencross Castle inlet circumnavigating Little Cumbrae
  • Snack and drink stop at the island castle
  • Continue around the southern end island
  • Cross the short channel back to Portencross castle
  • Egress back to vehicles for hot drinks and cake
  • Option to include Greater Cumbrae and Millport town to extend the tour or shorten the tour via castle only

Frequently Asked Questions

In short, no but a degree of water confidence and ability to tread water is desirable for participating in a water sport. We provide a Personal Flotation Device (Pfd) suitable for a  range of client sizes and weights. Unless instructed otherwise, these are mandatory to wear during our activities as its aids a paddler to float minimising the need to swim.

This entirely depends on the activity.

Our maximum participants on any given activity is 8.

Reducing to 6 on Instructor courses and no more than 4 on rivers per leader.

Multi-day/overnight Living Wild trips – max 4

We prefer smaller, more intimate groups as in our experience it builds better connections, its safer for group management and provides more time to enjoy the activity together. 

We are also mindful of our environmental impact by inviting groups of people into coastal and inter-tidal zones, wilderness areas where excessive footprints off paths can damage the soil structures, flora and create more bio cross-contaminations. We try keep this to a minimum. 

Yes. The more information about you and your health requirements the better prepared we are to cater for your needs. All your information is stored confidentially. Our medical and readiness questionnaire is contained on our booking form. Please do feel free to call us beforehand to discuss or speak to your leader prior to the session declaring any injuries or medical fitness.

Unfortunately not. We find dogs can be a distraction during safety briefs and during activity. Not all our clients are comfortable around dogs. We are happy to advice on personal paddling with pets and arrange adog-friendly activity.

We are very much governed by HSE Adventure Activities Licencing Scheme regarding working with Children and Vulnerable adults. All our staff and volunteers are PVG checked to work with Children.

On our family sessions our min age is 8years old where due to AALS licencing adults must be present on-site. The only exception is where we operate within a venue which is less than 50m wide which satisfies AALS regulations. We have equipment which will fit this age group and older.

The min age for attending a British Canoeing SUP Instructor level 1 is 14years.

Our min age for attending our safety courses, coaching sessions and tours is 14years. 

Whats included and what you need to bring are described in each page of the tours or courses and also within the confirmation sent prior. 

Full board packages for the activity are included in the price complimentary.

We will also provide a changing cape and standing mat, group equipment such as survival shelter, first aid kit, rewarming kit, spare paddle, pump.

We provide Pfd and wetsuit free of charge at time of booking

We also provide waterproof phone case and cag jackets as wind blockers.

Payment transactions can be arranged in a few ways which are most convenience for you but must be paid in full prior to activity commencing.

Our booking engine will handle online payments where we absorb the merchant fee via GoCardless/Stripe on our product pages.

We can send an addressed invoice for groups and businesses payable via GoCardless secure online payment link.

Cash can be accepted on the day where prior arranged with us and receipt emailed post event.

Apologies, we cannot offer a credit or debit card transaction facility on the day of the activity.  

Absolutely. Although we love to take your picture and offer a complimentary photo service sending your highlights to you post activity, we understand it’s not for everyone.

Simply state NO on your booking form on the relevant section.

Furthermore, we also request your permission to use your images on our media accounts and hold no judgements to those who object. We build your trust in this regard.

This is a common question we are asked. Simply put. Unless its time critical, we take our pace from the slowest member of the group and we are fully inclusive in how we lead, guide and coach. Its not a race and we are on an activity to have fun, connect with others and the place we are in, paddle safely and prevent fatigue. We always discuss group paddling strategy and using systems for paddler support on the water such as pairs, small groups, varying leader position etc etc. 

inspo