From exhilarating RIB tours of the Seven Sisters and wild swimming in the sea to seal safaris, we pick out the sublime places to dive into aquatic adventures across Sussex, both happening off the coast and within our rivers.
1. Kayak on the River Rother
At Bodiam Boating Station near Rye, adventure seekers can kayak on the snaking River Rother between March and October. This sublime waterway was used as far back as the Roman times, flowing 56km through Kent and East Sussex, before emptying into the English Channel at Rye Bay. As well as being a campsite with a waterside café, Bodiam Boating Station offers kayaks, rowing boat, canoes and SUP boards for hire, with a stretch of almost 20km of flat river for paddlers to explore.
Options including kayaking around 6km west, towards the moated Bodiam Castle and the glorious vines of Oastbrook Estate vineyard. In the opposite direction, towards Rye, there's a wider 12km stretch with lower banks allowing for better views of East Sussex's pastoral landscape.
Single and double kayaks are available with no experience necessary to pick up a paddle and enjoy this beautiful Sussex river. From £15 for the first hour of hire, £12 per hour thereafter.
2. A RIB tour of Seven Sisters
Few coastlines are as breathtaking as Sussex's Seven Sisters National Park. Gaze at these chalky cliffs on a thrilling RIB (rigid inflatable boat) ride with Sussex Boat Trips. Departing from Seaford Bay, pass Seaford Head before reaching the picture-perfect Coastguard Cottages at Cuckmere Haven to bash through the waves at speeds of up to 35 knots per hour.
The tour continues along this gleaming Heritage Coast towards Belle Toute Lighthouse at
Birling Gap, before offering a glimpse of Beachy Head's stripy lighthouse. This is one of the best ways to see this slither of coastline, with regular sightings of harbour porpoises and, occasionally, common seals and dolphins are an added boon for nature lovers.
Wear warm clothes — even during summertime temperature can feel chilly as you speed along the English Channel coastline. Tours are available from late March to mid-October. £25 for children/£30 for adults/£100 for a family of four, based on two adults and two children.
3. Wild Swimming across Sussex
In recent years, wild swimming has become one of the most popular ways to release endorphins and dopamine in the body. There are plenty of advantages to wild swimming, including connecting with nature, aiding pain relief, improving fitness levels and reducing stress.
From the bracing English Channel to wild spots in the countryside — ponds, rivers and lakes — there are plenty of places to choose from. If you're in East Sussex, consider taking a dip at Barcombe Mills, just a few miles north of Lewes. Enveloped in meadows, with walking trails and the river Ouse next to it, it's a lovely spot to try swimming in the wild.
Closer to the sea is Cuckmere Meanders, off the River Cuck, in Seven Sisters Country Park, where the water tends to be fairly clear. For a wonderfully wild river swim in West Sussex, the River Arun at Houghton Bridge is a blissful spot. Wild swimming is only ever advisable for strong swimmers and you should never swim alone. Make sure you wear appropriate swimwear — a wetsuit if necessary and thermal swim gloves and aqua shoes. And for the epitome of a luxurious wild dip, check into the Spa at South Lodge. Nestled in 92-acres of Sussex countryside near Horsham, as well as the spa's lavish indoor pool and outdoor hydro pool, there is a natural swimming pond cocooned in wildflowers and greenery.
4. Wind surfing in West Wittering
If you've ever watched from the shore as windsurfers battle the elements to stay upright with the help of a billowing sail and thought you'd like to give it a go, now’s your chance. West Wittering's shape-shifting natural sandbars (they change with every season) creates excellent conditions for wind surfing at high tide. Ideally, you will want to start off with a windsurfing lesson on a wider board with a smaller sail, followed up with a course.
Based right on West Wittering's soft blonde beach, 2XS offers windsurfing equipment hire and two-hour taster sessions in the water. Following the taster, consider taking a progression lesson to master the next steps, covering everything from improving turns to controlling the sail. £60 for a two-hour taster session.
5. A self-drive boat on the River Arun
Another of Sussex's wonderful waterways is the 60km River Arun in West Sussex. Flowing west from near Horsham, the Arun turns south, cutting through South Downs National Park to Arundel and into the English Channel at Littlehampton.
The family-run Riverside South Downs offers idyllic excursions on six- or 10-seat boats from Houghton Bridge, Amberley. Pack a picnic and hire one of the self-drive boats to indulge in a lazy afternoon on the river. Following a short tutorial, sail beneath centuries-old bridges and past wildflower meadows. The docking point is next to Amberley train station and there's a quaint tearoom and charming Mediterranean restaurant here, too.
From £48 for two people for one hour; £70 for 90-minutes; £85 for two hours; £105 for 2.5-hours and £125 for three hours. Under-fives go free. Small to medium-sized dogs are allowed to travel.
6. Snorkelling in Brighton
When you think of snorkelling, you probably think of the gin-clear waters of the Caribbean or the Maldives, teeming with tropical fish. Try snorkelling closer to home — in Brighton where snorkelling trips are led by Gio Prince, Brighton Watersports' resident expert. Snorkellers get to witness and learn about the marine life lurking off Brighton Beach, including spiny spider crabs — also known as the European spider crab — starfish and cuttlefish that inhabit reefs around the iconic Palace and West Piers. See the wreck of a barge that lies to the east of Palace Pier and look out for pike, plaice, shore rockling and small spotted catshark hiding among green kelp.
You should never snorkel alone and always check tide times and winds first. £50 per person for a 1.5-2-hour group or private session, including use of snorkelling masks and wetsuits.
7. Seal Safari in Chichester
One of the many great things about Chichester's wide-open natural harbour is that it's home to a colony of around 46 mixed grey and harbour seals. The number of seals seems to increase each year with young seal pups often spotted languidly on the shore.
Wildlife enthusiasts can join Chichester Harbour Water Tours on a 90-minue seal-watching safari, departing from Itchenor in the east of the harbour, to marvel at these majestic marine mammals.
During winter, typically November to February, Chichester Harbour Water Tours combines seal trips with birdwatching, with winter waders including curlew, godwits, red shank, plovers, oyster catcher, and Brent geese often spotted. £25 teens and adults, £20 children.
