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The Exe Estuary is a lively, vibrant and busy place with thousands of birds, hundreds of boats and numerous water activities on view.  The Exe Activities leaflet, produced by the Exe Estuary Management Partnership, is an informative guide to getting the most out of the recreational activities available on the Estuary with information on all of the local clubs and shops that are available.
Below is a list of all of the activities that take place in and around the Estuary with the contact details of the relevant clubs and shops.  Alternatively you can download and print the leaflet here, or pick one up from a Tourist Information Centre or email the Exe Estuary Officer who will be happy to send you a copy.

If your club's details are not included in this list please simply email them to us and we will be happy to add them for you.

Activity

Diving
Fishing
Boating
Boat Yards
Sailing
Water Skiing and Wakeboarding
Kite surfing / Land Boarding / Windsurfing
Rowing, Canoeing and Kayaking
Bird watching
Family Attractions
Golf
Cycling
Running
Walking / Rambling
Wildfowling

Diving

The Exe Estuary and Lyme Bay provide a wide ranging variety of dive sites, from pretty shore dives full of sea life to wrecks nearly 100 years old!

  • Jurassic Coast Diving
    Royal Av, Exmouth, Devon, EX8 1EN,
    Tel: 01395 268090‎
    Web: www.jcdiving.co.uk
    Shop and diving instruction

    Cuttlefish

  • Exeter BSAC
    Exe Water Sports Centre, 62 Haven Road, Exeter, EX2 8DP
    Web: www.exeterbsac.org
  • Aquanaut
    17 Clifton rd, Exeter EX1 2BR
    Tel: 01392 218825
    Shop and diving instruction

Fishing

A variety of species can be targeted from both boat and shore.  Charter boats are available for hire and fishing clubs provide facilities for members.

The Exe Estuary is a designated Bass Conservation Area from April 1st to October 31st each year.  For more information on restrictions and bylaws please contact Devon Sea Fisheries Committee on 01803 854648 / devonseafisheriescommittee.co.uk

  • Exmouth Deep Sea Fishing Club
    Tel: 07789472002

  • Exmouth Tackle & Sports‎
    20 The Strand, Exmouth, Devon, EX8 1AF
    Tel: 01395 274918‎

  • Starcross Fishing & Cruising Club‎
    Brunel Tower, The Strand, Starcross, Exeter, EX6 8PR
    Web: www.starcross-fcc.com

  • Cockwood Boat Club
    35 Cofton Hill, Cockwood, Starcross, EX6 8RB
    Tel: 07770440235

  • Take The Bait‎
    13 Park Rd, Dawlish, Devon, EX7 9LJ

Charter Boats (for fishing and diving)

Several are available please visit www.deepsea.co.uk/ports/exmouth for full listings.

Boating

  • Cockwood Boat Club
    35 Cofton Hill, Cockwood, Starcross, EX6 8RB
    Tel: 07770440235
    Membership only

Boat Yards

  • River and Canal Office
    Haven Rd, Exeter, EX2 8DU
    Tel: 01392 274306
    Web: www.exeter.gov.uk

  • Exmouth Marina
    Marina Office, Pierhead, Exmouth, EX8 1DU
    Tel: 01395 269314ý

  • Rowsell Morrison
    24 Camperdown Tce, Exmouth, EX8 1EH
    Tel: 01395 263911

SailingSailing

Water activities in the Exe Estuary generally take place 2 -3 hours either side of high water. During this time the estuary offers good opportunities for sailing. The entrance of the Exe suffers from strong currents and shifting sand banks and navigation should not be undertaken without consulting local advice.

The oldest yacht club in the UK with a reputation of being the most friendly. Affiliated to the RYA with a full 12 months of the year racing programme for dinghies and catamarans. Moorings for a limited number of small cruisers. Full or winter membership available.

  • Starcross Fishing & Cruising Club‎
    Brunel Tower, The Strand, Starcross, Exeter, EX6 8PR
    Web: www.starcross-fcc.com
    Membership only

Water Skiing and Wakeboarding

A designated area provides a unique world class venue to practice Water Skiing and Wake Boarding, mostly sheltered from the worst the elements can offer.

Kite surfing / Land Boarding / Windsurfing

Windsurfer

Kite Surfing / Land Boarding

A combination of kite flying and surfing this activity is very popular off of Exmouth with local shops available to give advice and hire equipment.  Due to concerns regarding the impact to wildlife and the danger to navigation a voluntary code has been agreed with local clubs and a designated area marked for this activity,

Rowing, Canoeing and KayakingCanoe

From Exeter you can take a leisurely route down the canal negotiating traditional locks.  The canal joins the Exe at Turf hotel where the more experienced can confront tidal waters.  Rowing clubs operate from Exmouth and Exeter.

Canoe Loops

The Canoe Loops are a series of self-guided circular canoeing/kayaking trails that link the River Exe and Exeter Ship Canal between Exeter Quayside and the Exe Estuary.
A new leaflet is being produced to promote the trails and new access steps have been installed to improve canoe ingress, egress and portage around weirs.  The waterproof leaflet will detail routes, access point locations, safety advice and a code of conduct.
There are four loops which can be paddled from different access points and in different combinations. Canoeists can head down the river and back up the canal and join up loops for longer trips. It takes most people 2-3 hours to paddle each loop and the complete circuit from Exeter Quay to Turf Locks and back is 17km, which can take a full day.
Exeter Canoe Loops is a partnership project between the Environment Agency and Exeter City Council.

  • Exeter Rowing Club
    Exe Water Sports Centre, 62 Haven Road, Exeter, EX2 8DP
    Tel: 01392 250740
    Web: www.exeterrowingclub.com
    Email: captain@exeterrowingclub.com
    New starters are welcome to contact the Club Captain or to come down on a Thursday evening (Clubhouse at around 8pm) for a friendly reception and a coached introduction to the sport of rowing.

Haven Banks Outdoor Education Centre, based in Exeter, offers a variety of outdoor and adventurous activities to all ages and abilities. The River Exe and Exe Estuary are utilised for R.Y.A sailing, windsurfing and power boating courses, as well as B.C.U kayaking and canoeing courses. Nearby Woodbury Common, Haldon and Dartmoor are used for mountain biking, walking, navigation, orienteering, caving, climbing and abseiling. To compliment these activities the centre also offers archery, raft-building and personal development challenges. All levels are offered from complete beginners to instructor standard.

Bird WatchingBird Watching

For wildlife enthusiasts there are some key areas to visit, but timing is crucial, with high tide during August to mid March the best opportunity.  Dawlish Warren regularly attracts around 180 to 190 species per year. Exminster Marshes & Bowling Green Marsh are RSPB Reserves which lie on opposite sides of the northern end of the estuary. At low water on the Exmouth LNR it is possible to walk out across the sand banks and get closer to birds feeding in the channel.  The Old Sludge Beds are an extensive reedbed habitat and open water area.

Also see ferries and cruises page for wildlife watching trips

Family Attractions

There are various family attractions around the Exe from leisure centres to amusement arcades and a magnificent 600 year old castle to explore.

Golf

  • Phear Park
    Marpool hill, Exmouth
    Tel: 01395 277514

Cycling

Cycle Hire

Running

Walking / Rambling

  • Devon Nature Walks
    Nigel PInhorn, Flat 3 Raleigh House, 89 Magdalen Road, EXETER EX2 4TG
    Tel: 01392 211247 / 07784 190571
    Web: www.devonnaturewalks@btinternet.com
    Small Charge applicable, see the events page for dates

Wildfowling

All wildfowling areas on the Estuary, such as the 30 acres of freshwater marsh at Exminster, are controlled by the Devon Wildfowling & Conservation Association.  Certain duck and geese quarry species are pursued during the season of September 1st - February 20th.

For more information about Wildfowling and how this activity is regulated please see our Wildfowling page.

  • Devon Wildfowlers and Conservation Association
    Tel: 01395 268837

Cricket

Rugby

Bowls

  • Topsham Bowling Club
    Fore St, Topsham, Exeter, EX3 0HF
    Tel: 01392 877364‎

  • Starcross & District Bowling Club
    Bonhay Rd, Starcross
    Tel: 01626 890506

  • Dawlish & District Indoor Bowls Association Ltd‎
    Sandy La, Dawlish, EX7 0AF
    Tel: 01626 863584‎