Totnes Kayaks
Totnes Kayaks
5
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About
We provide sit on top kayak rental during the summer months from April to the end of August. You do not need to know how to kayak to hire a boat and go out on the beautiful river dart in south devon. We cater for families, couples and groups and have parking, cafe, loos, and all boats/paddles and buoyancy aids.
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5.0
118 reviews
Excellent
111
Very good
6
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Andy S
Salisbury, UK7 contributions
Aug 2020
We took a family of eight, four adults and four children (4,5,7,9) for a two hour kayaking session. Hal gave me a call the day before to discuss our requirements and recommended three double Kayaks and on single, this worked really well.
Note: at the time of writing the car park was £5 and cash only.
On arrival Mark set-us up with our buoyancy aids (in a suitably socially distanced manner) and gave us a dry bag and map of the river. He recommended a route for us with places to stop on the way. We were on the water within 5 minutes of arriving.
The kayaks were in great condition as were the buoyancy aids, paddles and dry bag.
We had a great leisurely evening paddle, the two hours was gone in no time. We saw some awesome wildlife; the highlight being a seal eating a fish!
Hal and Mark made everything super easy, thanks guys!
Note: at the time of writing the car park was £5 and cash only.
On arrival Mark set-us up with our buoyancy aids (in a suitably socially distanced manner) and gave us a dry bag and map of the river. He recommended a route for us with places to stop on the way. We were on the water within 5 minutes of arriving.
The kayaks were in great condition as were the buoyancy aids, paddles and dry bag.
We had a great leisurely evening paddle, the two hours was gone in no time. We saw some awesome wildlife; the highlight being a seal eating a fish!
Hal and Mark made everything super easy, thanks guys!
Written 16 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Andy. Many thanks for your review. Very pleased you had such a good experience with the kayaks. Best wishes. Hal
Written 1 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MonkeyMoo8
Oswestry, UK6 contributions
Jul 2020
We are a family of 4 who have never kayaked before prior to this. We hired two double sit-on-top kayaks for 2 hours. Even though we had never kayaked before, we got the hang of it pretty quick. I warn you though, it is a workout for your arms. We had a great 2 hours travelling up the River Dart. We had to stop quite a few times to rest therefore we only just got round the Sharpham bends but if you are an experienced kayaker, you could easily make it to Dittisham.
Overall a great trip. My brother didn't have too much trouble and he's 11 but i would say any younger than that and they wouldn't enjoy it as much. The staff were really friendly and the dry bags were very useful. However the car park is expensive and the kayaking is too. We paid £60.
There is also a dam where you can crab off after you have kayaked and a pub to get drinks from.
Overall a great trip. My brother didn't have too much trouble and he's 11 but i would say any younger than that and they wouldn't enjoy it as much. The staff were really friendly and the dry bags were very useful. However the car park is expensive and the kayaking is too. We paid £60.
There is also a dam where you can crab off after you have kayaked and a pub to get drinks from.
Written 2 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for your review. best wishes. Hal
Written 11 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Helen H
London2 contributions
Jul 2022
Our family of four had a fabulous 3hr trip in double kayaks up the River Dart. As near-novices to water sports, Hugh was great with showing us the ropes and setting us on our way. We meandered up stream enjoying the beautiful views and experiencing a river from a completely different vantage point. The riverside pub provided a chance to stretch our legs, before winding our way back to Stoke Gabriel. The cafe alongside the jetty provided a place to sit a while longer, and enjoy the life around the River Dart. I would highly recommend Totnes Kayaks, it was a perfect day's outing.
Written 30 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ed Longley
Guildford, UK650 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
We hired a single sit on top kayak, to go alongside our own 2 man.
Booking was easy. Finding it was easy.
The car park is £5 CASH ONLY, and is about 10m from the quay.
We checked in, and were given some advice on routes and timings, which included the direction of the tide. This information didn’t take into account the prevailing wind direction, which made a massive difference.
The kayak had a good seat, which was essential.
The journey back from Dittisham to Stoke Gabriel into a big headwind was really hard work.
Mind your hands/ knuckles on the iron work for the seat stay.
Booking was easy. Finding it was easy.
The car park is £5 CASH ONLY, and is about 10m from the quay.
We checked in, and were given some advice on routes and timings, which included the direction of the tide. This information didn’t take into account the prevailing wind direction, which made a massive difference.
The kayak had a good seat, which was essential.
The journey back from Dittisham to Stoke Gabriel into a big headwind was really hard work.
Mind your hands/ knuckles on the iron work for the seat stay.
Written 16 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Ed. Thanks for your review. Sorry for the slow reply; I"ve had our notifications wrong and didn't know we were getting any reviews! Glad you had a good time but I am sorry you didn't get sufficient adveice about the wind. Your briefing should have included information about the wind and tide which are the critucal elements. I'll feed this back to the crew. Best wishes. Hal
Written 31 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Chris M
2 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Really friendly and helpful, explained everything we needed to know and gave us a map of that was easy to use. Getting in and out of the river was easy at each of the spots they suggested, including the pubs. We were in the water from low tide to high tide and it was worth doing at all stages of the tide. There was lots of traffic on the river but it was concentrated in certain areas, the main channel has loads of space and along the creeks we often found ourselves alone on a stretch of river. Parking was £6 for the day and was right next to where the boats enter and exit the water.
Written 18 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tricia G
22 contributions
Sept 2021 • Couples
Our family of 5 have had the most amazing 3hrs guided canoe trip up the River Dart with our fab guide Hugh. Hugh was great... very informative and helped us get to grips as this was our first time in a canoe. Nervous canoers need not fear. Highlights included stopping of for a cup of tea, spotting seals, out of this world scenary, and the gentle peace and quiet . Definately would do it again . Thank you Hugh and team
Written 24 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Molly
Kent, UK75 contributions
Aug 2021 • Friends
We as a family are on holiday in the surrounding area and wanted to experience exploring around the gorgeous river dart.
The company Totnes kayaks were so friendly, welcoming and had very clear communication. It felt really relaxed and we were all able to take in the surroundings around us. Everything was perfect and clear and cannot thank the team enough at Totnes kayaks for this amazing experience.
We would really recommend this company to anyone that wants to do this activity for the experience.
The company Totnes kayaks were so friendly, welcoming and had very clear communication. It felt really relaxed and we were all able to take in the surroundings around us. Everything was perfect and clear and cannot thank the team enough at Totnes kayaks for this amazing experience.
We would really recommend this company to anyone that wants to do this activity for the experience.
Written 14 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for the review and recommendation. We really appreciate it. Delighted you enjoyed it so much. Best wishes. Hal
Written 19 August 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Pippa A
Newbury, UK9 contributions
Sept 2020 • Family
We (Mum, Dad & x 2 18 year olds) had a great 3 hours with Hal on the river. We had 2 double kayaks and Hal as our guide. We were all novice paddlers but the boats felt super safe and stable and were simple to steer. Hal was knowledgeable about everything in and along the river which made the trip even more enjoyable. We stopped for a coffee and loo stop(!) at Sharpham Manor cheese and vineyard cafe before heading back to Stoke Gabriel with the tide!
A fabulous few hours had by all and we would definitely return. Thoroughly recommend!
Thanks Hal and hope to see you again.
A fabulous few hours had by all and we would definitely return. Thoroughly recommend!
Thanks Hal and hope to see you again.
Written 9 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stuart G
London, UK11 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Fantastic company. Super friendly and well-organised, with great comms in advance. Spoke to Hal to discuss and got some great advice on the best options. Went ahead and booked, quick response by email and they were also very flexible around dates etc. We hired four single kayaks to do the low-tide round trip to Dittisham and back. Great day out bobbing in between the seals with plenty time for lunch at the Ferry Boat Inn (book a table in advance, it's tiny!) and make our way back without having to go full speed. Highly recommended.
Written 8 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yorkshire Pudding
yorkshire32 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
Had a great time kayaking with Totnes Kayaks. Communication from the company was great- unfortunately our session was cancelled due to anticipated bad weather and we received a phone call the day before and were able to rearrange it for the next day. All info on the day was really clear and concise and we had a lovely couple of hours kayaking. It was very relaxing and good fun too, would definitely recommend!
Written 6 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for the review and recommendation. Glad we were able to fit you in around the wind. Delighted you enjoyed it so much. Best wishes. Hal
Written 19 August 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.