London is famous for many things; its architecture, Big Ben, a certain royal palace and the River Thames that gently winds its way through the heart of the city. One thing that London is not typically known for, however, is watersports.
And yet, the UK capital is filled with places where you can skip the urban crush and spend a day enjoying a range of different water activities for all skill levels. There’s open water swimming in the heart of Canary Wharf, paddle boarding in Camden, white water rafting at Lee Valley and much more.
So, if you’re looking for a way to break up a day’s sightseeing or searching for somewhere to cool down on a hot summer’s day then here are the best London watersports on offer.
The best London watersports to enjoy when it’s hot in the city
Table of Contents
In addition to the water-based activities listed below, remember that London also has some great splash parks and outdoor pools.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I have been or could be if you click on a link in this post compensated via a cash payment, gift or something else of value for writing this post. See our full disclosure policy for more details.
Stand-up Paddleboarding in London
Stand-up paddle boarding is a great way for the whole family to get out on the water for a couple of hours. London has multiple places for the whole family to paddleboard, including Paddington Basin and Kew Bridge.
In Central London, the Paddington Basin has calm waters and canals surrounded by London’s awe-inspiring modern and old architecture.
If you prefer a place with more nature, then Kew Bridge is a popular and scenic paddling destination on the Tideway. Check out the Active 360 watersports centre for a great paddleboarding session with skilled instructors. Both locations offer private and group beginner lessons.
Open Water Swimming in London
Surprisingly for a capital city, London has a handful of excellent open water swimming spots.
Some of my favourites are the ponds in Hampstead Heath in north London. The ancient woodland has three different natural swimming ponds with one dedicated to men, another reserved for women and the mixed pond that is open for all.
The mixed pond is the best with families but kids must be aged 8+ to swim here as the water is cold and deep. Kids will also need to take a short swim test when they arrive. The ponds get very busy during summer months and you will need to book a swim slot after 11am so my advice is to get there early and then enjoy a picnic on the heath afterwards It’s the perfect way to start the day!
The West Reservoir Centre in Finsbury Park is another great open water swimming venue and a good option for teens. The West Reservoir welcomes young people from 14 years old, children under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult from the same household.
Canary Wharf might be best known for its gleaming glass and steel towers but during the summer months you can swim at Eden Dock in partnership with Love Open Water.
Wakeboarding in London
Your kids and teens will be pleased to know that London also has a place to wakeboard!
WakeUp Docklands in Royal Victoria Beach is London’s only cable wakeboard park conveniently within the central transport network. Kids must be aged 10+ and be able to swim at least 25 meters. Make sure to reserve online before you go.
Sailing in London
Sailing in London? Yes, it’s a thing! And the good news is that you don’t have to be a seasoned sailor to take part (although courses are aimed more at local Londoners than visiting tourists).
The London Corinthian Sailing Club was established in 1894 and sail every weekend year-round. They are a recognised training centre by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), providing courses (including introductory courses and advanced courses) for yachts, dinghies, powerboats, and safety boats.
The Docklands Sailing Centre is another good option for sailing enthusiasts. They are a recognised training centre and deliver courses in sailing, windsurfing, powerboating and paddlesports.
Another place to try is at the West Reservoir where the centre has a large fleet of dinghies suitable for all ages and abilities. Knowledgeable instructors teach Royal Yachting Association proficiency courses.
Canoeing and kayaking in London
Canoeing is a great way to enjoy a family day out on London’s waterways and a fun way for everyone in the family to learn new skills. Active360 offer canoe hire in Ladbroke Grove from where you can paddle through Little Venice and beyond. The calm waters make this a great option if it’s your family’s first time canoeing.
In east London is Moo Canoe that offer canoe and kayak hire. Canoes are based at their floating base, The Milk Float, in Hackney Wick and can fit up to three people. They also have tandem kayaks that are available to hire at Limehouse (the centre is a quick 1 minute walk from the Limehouse DLF station). They do also offer Paddleboard (SUP) sessions and hire at Poplar Union (their SUP sessions are for teen aged 14+).
In Camden there is the Pirate Castle that offer kayaking and canoeing adventures on the Regent’s Canal (kids must be 8+ above) – including some great school holiday schemes.
The Pirate Castle also offer Canal Boating, which is a very fun way to enjoy London’s canals – you can even help work the locks and steer the boat if you like. This is suitable for all ages and abilities and is available at any time of year.
Scuba Diving in London
Sure, London might not be able to rival the Caribbean but there are diving schools where your kids can enjoy a scuba diving taster session. And, if they like it they can train to get their PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) qualification.
The best place to start is the London School of Diving that has two purpose-built heated scuba pools in Chertsey on the outskirts of London. They offer taster sessions for anyone aged 10 and over as well as PADI certification courses.
Whitewater Rafting in London
Lee Valley Regional Park is the place to go if you want to go whitewater rafting. The Lee Valley White Water Centre hosted the canoe slalom events in the London 2012 Olympic Games and is now open for watersports enthusiasts keen to tackle the rapids.
Family rafting sessions for families with children aged 8+ includes a safety brief, all the kit you need and up to one hour on the water riding the waves.
Windsurfing in London
There are a handful of windsurfing clubs in London including the East London Windsurfing School that offers half-day and day-long introduction to windsurfing courses. The school is located in Nazeing, northeast London.
Closer to central London is the Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre. Located in the heart of London’s Docklands, the centre offers a wide range of water sports including sailing, kayaking and windsurfing (minimum age 8+).
Flyboarding in London
For something totally different, head out to Chertsey and learn how to fly above the water using a water Jet Pack. This activity is for teens aged 16+.
Younger kids can try electric jet boarding, which are similar to body boards but with a motor (his must be aged 7+).
GoBoat Tours
If you want to get out on the water but are looking for something a little more low key then GoBoat is the answer.
GoBoat have fleets of self-drive electric boats located around London in Paddington, Canary Wharf and Kingston. No licence is required and the boats fit up to 8 people, including children (life jackets are provided). It’s a really fun way to explore the city from a new perspective. Route maps are provided so all you need to do is bring a picnic and a sense of adventure!
