High-Energy Family Fun at Action Water sports

If you’re looking for a full day out with energy, variety and plenty of laughs, Action Watersports in Lydd is hard to beat. Celebrating 25 years as a family-run centre, it’s still one of the area’s best-kept secrets – many visitors can’t believe it’s been right on their doorstep all along.

The lake is home to one of the UK’s most diverse ranges of water sports. Families can bounce and slide across the Aqua Park, take on inflatable rides, try paddleboarding, wakeboarding or water skiing, or even dive into open water swimming. For those wanting something unforgettable, flyboarding delivers a real adrenaline rush.

It’s the kind of place where kids, teens and adults all find their own level of adventure and where shared experiences quickly turn into lasting memories.

Don’t miss: a special one-day Aqua Park Adventure on 1 June, with sessions from £17.50pp including wetsuit and buoyancy aid- ideal for kicking off the summer.

Paddle the canal with Seapoint Canoe Centre

For a more relaxed and scenic side of water sports in Folkestone and Hythe, Seapoint Canoe Centre offers kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding experiences for all ages and abilities. Based on Princes Parade in Hythe, the centre has been introducing people to paddlesports for more than 35 years and remains one of the area’s best-loved coastal activity hubs.

What makes Seapoint stand out is the variety of ways to get involved. Visitors can book guided sessions with instructors, hire paddleboards and kayaks for independent adventures on the Royal Military Canal, or join social paddles and coastal tours throughout the year. The centre also offers private lessons, beginner-friendly courses and junior sessions, making it ideal for families, first-timers and anyone keen to build confidence on the water.

For those wanting to explore beyond flat water, Seapoint also runs sea paddleboarding introductions, helping paddlers safely experience the Kent coastline while learning about tides, weather and sea conditions.

The hire options are particularly popular during warmer months, with single and double kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and even giant Mega SUPs available for groups. Launching onto the calm waters of the canal offers a peaceful way to enjoy the outdoors, spot wildlife and slow the pace down for a couple of hours.

As many experienced paddlers recommend, learning with qualified instructors and paddling as part of a group is one of the best ways to build confidence and stay safe on the water, especially when moving into sea kayaking or paddleboarding.

Paddle Around the Harbour with Folkestone Sea Sports

Launching from Sunny Sands, Folkestone Sea Sports offers paddleboard and kayak hire right by the iconic harbour.

This is one of the best ways to experience water sports in Folkestone and Hythe. You can paddle around the harbour, glide past the Harbour Arm and take in views you simply do not get from land. Calm conditions make it accessible for beginners, while still offering enough space for more confident paddlers to explore further along the coast.

Paddlers can even go right up to Folkestone’s iconic floating pink house in the harbour- a famous public art installation created by British artist Richard Woods for the 2017 Folkestone Triennial.

Ride the Wind: Kitesurfing, Foiling & Rowing

When the conditions are right, Folkestone’s coastline becomes a playground for wind-powered water sports. Kitesurfers, windsurfers and wing foilers regularly take to the water, making the most of the open sea and consistent coastal breezes. It’s a striking sight from the shore – colourful kites overhead and riders skimming across the waves – and for those in the know, it’s one of the area’s most exciting ways to get out on the water.

For something more traditional, Folkestone Rowing Club offers a strong community feel alongside its time-on-the-water experience. Located just along the beach in Sandgate, the club welcomes rowers of all abilities, from complete beginners to experienced oarsmen, with opportunities to train, compete or simply enjoy being out at sea.

Whether you’re chasing adrenaline or looking to build a new hobby, these activities add another layer to Folkestone’s already diverse water sports scene proving there’s always a new way to experience the coast.

Learn, Race and Belong at Hythe and Saltwood Sailing Club

For those looking to get deeper into water sports in Folkestone and Hythe, Hythe and Saltwood Sailing Club offers a welcoming and well-established place to start. Known for its friendly, informal atmosphere, it has the feel of a true family club where newcomers and experienced sailors mix easily.

The club provides excellent facilities for dinghy sailing and windsurfing, catering for everyone from complete beginners taking their first steps on the water to competitive sailors racing at a high level. It is this balance that makes it so appealing. You can learn at your own pace, build confidence, and progress as far as you want to go.

Conditions along this stretch of coast are ideal. Consistent breezes support steady learning, while stronger winds bring challenge and excitement for more advanced sailors. This creates an active, year-round sailing environment, with opportunities for racing, structured training and more relaxed freeriding sessions.

Beyond the water, the clubhouse plays a big part in what makes the club special. Overlooking the sea, it acts as a social hub where members come together after sessions, building friendships as well as skills.

Run by dedicated volunteers and supported by a passionate local membership, the club has a strong sense of community at its core. It is the kind of place where it is easy to get involved, feel supported and quickly become part of the action.

Sea Swimming at Mermaid Beach & Sunny Sands

Locals regularly head to Mermaid Beach for sea swimming thanks to its slightly more sheltered position and calmer atmosphere. Community swim groups often meet here, creating a welcoming environment for anyone keen to try open water swimming for the first time.

Just around the corner, Sunny Sands brings a more traditional seaside feel, with its sandy shoreline and easy access from the harbour area. It’s ideal for families wanting a mix of swimming, paddling and beach time, especially during warmer months.

Remember to always check the conditions and swim safely in groups!

Refuel: Food Stops Along the Coast

After a day enjoying water sports in Folkestone and Hythe, there’s no better way to wind down than refuelling along the seafront, where great food and sea views go hand in hand.

Don’t miss Little Rock, a relaxed beachfront spot perfect for a seafood lunch post-swim while watching the waves roll in. From there, head along to The Pilot, a fun beach bar with a laid-back atmosphere that makes it ideal for a well-earned drink after time on the water. Along the coast in Hythe, The Waterfront is also perfectly paced for a spot of lunch – why not try the delicious sea food platters?

For something more varied, the Folkestone Harbour Arm brings everything together in one place, with independent food stalls, sunset views and a vibrant mix of street food right on the edge of the sea. It’s a natural meeting point after a paddle, swim or sail.

Together, these foodie spots turn water sports in Folkestone and Hythe into a full coastal experience, where adventure on the water flows naturally into great food by the sea.