Kayaking in the New Forest: Rivers, Hire & Launch Points
Where can you go kayaking in the New Forest?
Looking for a place to go kayaking in the New Forest? The Beaulieu River offers organised hire and guided trips; Lymington and Keyhaven combine harbour scenery with tidal water. The open Solent is a separate step up in experience. Below you’ll find the launch rules, hire options and local sources to help choose the right day out.
Teeming with flora and fauna it’s no wonder the 220 square miles of the New Forest draws people from far and wide to experience kayaking within its boundaries.
Declared a forest by William the Conqueror and featuring in the Domesday Book the New Forest is a wonderfully diverse landscape where wild ponies, donkeys and deer roam free.
There are three rivers that drain through the forest those being the Beaulieu River the Lymington River and the Avon Water right in the very south.
So whilst inland waterways are a little difficult to find for the kayaking enthusiast, the New Forest has 43 glorious miles of coastline to paddle so you won’t want for a kayaking experience.
Just about 90 minutes from London Waterloo by train, and offering a number of kayaking opportunities, in this blog post we outline our top picks and best places to kayak in the New Forest.
In this guide
- Kayaking on the Beaulieu River
- Can you hire a kayak on the Beaulieu River?
- Kayaking on the Lymington River
- Hiring a kayak in Lymington
- What does Lymington kayak hire cost?
- Kayaking at Keyhaven and Hurst Spit
- Kayak hire and club paddling at Keyhaven
- What does Keyhaven kayak hire cost?
- Sea kayaking on the Solent
- Useful paddling information
- New Forest kayaking FAQs
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Kayaking on the Beaulieu River
The Beaulieu River is privately owned, so permission and a launch fee are required to paddle here. The published paddlecraft launch and recovery fee is £7.50 per vessel, with parking charged separately (checked October 2026). Book through the harbour’s website and contact the Harbour Master at Buckler’s Hard if you are unsure about access. Our UK kayak licence guide explains why permission and waterway licences are not always the same thing.
That said, the Beaulieu River is a marvellously scenic tidal river which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. For over 400 years development on the river has been controlled by the Montagu family (the river’s owners) and their conservation efforts have seen that the River Beaulieu remains a drawcard and a haven for an abundance of plant and wildlife.
Kayaking on the River Beaulieu is a pleasure but as always with tidal rivers, you need to pick the right time to paddle. Check the local tide predictions and agree your launch and return window with the harbour or hire operator. The Buckler’s Hard slipway must not be used within two hours either side of low water.
You don’t want to get caught in the upper reaches of the river north of Buckler’s Hard at low tide where some parts of the river may be impassable and impossible to kayak.
For kayaking the Beaulieu River with your own boat, the authorised launch area is the slipway at Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour. There is a car park here (fee payable), so do think ahead when planning your paddling adventure on the River Beaulieu. Over at Lepe Beach you are greeted with spectacular views over the Solent right across to the Isle of Wight; for river access, follow the harbour’s Buckler’s Hard launch arrangements.
The coastline at Lepe can be quite choppy. Once in the river proper, the calmer, serene open waterway offers a more relaxing adventure as you spot roaming wildlife and enjoy the fabulous countryside. The harbour’s paddlesports guide and route map shows the route and asks paddlers to keep out of the creeks to protect wildlife.
Can you hire a kayak on the Beaulieu River?
The folks at New Forest Activities which is actually based in Beaulieu itself are the go-to people for Beaulieu River Kayak Hire.
They offer single or double sit-on-top kayaks and work on a two-hour hire session which includes:
- Plenty of time to explore the beautiful Beaulieu River
- Safe modern serviced equipment
- Dry storage for securing valuables
- A Beaulieu River kayaking map showing you exactly where you are able to paddle (and where not to paddle).
- Coaching instruction before you start
- Availability of toilets and changing facilities.
Their current self-guided hire runs April–October and lists £32 for a single kayak (12+) or £64 for a double (10+). Under-12s share with an adult, and everyone must be able to swim. An instructor briefs you beforehand but does not accompany you on the water; choose one of their guided trips if that is what you need. Check the booking page for availability and the latest terms.
Kayaking on the Lymington River
The Lymington River offers a different kayaking experience to the Beaulieu River in that at its mouth the river develops into a natural formation of salt water lakes and salt-marshes.
Paddling the Lymington River takes you past an eccentric mix of coloured moored local boats and massive marinas, with the choppier sea section to the south. The harbour’s paddling guidance is useful for planning around the tides and ferry traffic.
The salt-marshes and lakes provide plenty of cover for a multitude of different birds such as terns, sea gulls, wading birds and even fishing birds. Porpoises and even the occasional seal have been known to frequent this end of the River Lymington.
Oxey Lake and Crooked Lake are west of the Lymington River mouth and Pylewell Lake and East Lake are to the east.
For the very adventurous, the northern stretch towards Brockenhurst offers another part of the river to investigate. There are weirs in that stretch of the Lymington River as well as seasonal tree blockages, so check access and water levels locally before planning your route.
Anglers fish the banks of this northern part of the river, which can be very narrow in places. You’ll need to choose the right season for water levels too, as it can get very shallow upriver. Check local access arrangements when planning. Further downstream, Bath Road and Town Quay slipways offer harbour launch options with advance payment.
Hiring a kayak in Lymington
If you’re looking to hire in Lymington, check current availability with the local operators before travelling. The Kayak Hire Lymington website previously linked here was unavailable when checked in October 2026.
Ask about single and double kayaks, or family seating if you’re bringing the children, so you can find the right boat for your day out.
When booking, ask whether these are included:
- Kayak and paddle (obviously)
- A correctly fitted buoyancy aid
- Map of the area (with off-limits marked)
- Waterproof bags for valuables.
Parking can be a chore in Lymington, especially in peak season, so be prepared for that fact when booking any kayak hire in the town. As always planning ahead is crucial to ensuring you get the best out of your New Forest paddling experience.
What does Lymington kayak hire cost?
Check the current price and hire duration with your chosen operator; the old £25 two-hour rate could not be confirmed. Bringing your own kayak? The harbour’s slipway charges are linked above.
Kayaking at Keyhaven and Hurst Spit
Only just within the borders of the New Forest National Park, Keyhaven is a small fishing village fronted by the natural wonder of the Keyhaven Marshes. In suitable conditions it’s a lovely starting point for a kayak about the tidal lagoon of Keyhaven Lake which reaches right out to Hurst Castle about a mile away to the south at the end of Hurst Point.
Keyhaven also attracts sea kayakers heading out towards the Solent and the Isle of Wight. There is plenty of variety here, from paddling inside Hurst Spit to longer outings for experienced sea kayakers.
Kayaking within the waters of the Hurst Spit can be challenging and deceptive for the novice especially at the turn of the tide when an area known locally as “The Trap” can catch out the kayaking beginner. This is where the water can go from calm and serene to quite rough literally within a couple of paddle strokes.
Paddling out towards Hurst Castle from Keyhaven is an appealing way to see this stretch of coastline. For a family outing, a local guided trip can help you choose the right route and tide for everyone.
Kayak hire and club paddling at Keyhaven
Kayaking near and around Keyhaven can be a joy. The folks at Keyhaven Yacht Club’s paddlers group organise local paddles and have club kayaks available to hire. Get in touch about joining in and the membership arrangements.
The old New Forest Paddle Sport Company booking link no longer leads to a paddlesports website, so it has been removed.
For any new hire booking, confirm the launch point, tide window and what is included:
- Kayak and Paddle
- Pre-Instruction
- Kayak backrest
- A correctly fitted buoyancy aid
What does Keyhaven kayak hire cost?
For current Keyhaven hire prices, get in touch with your chosen provider or the club. The old commercial rates could not be confirmed for this update.
Sea kayaking on the Solent
Sea kayaking on the Solent, the strait of water that separates the New Forest and mainland England from the Isle of Wight, can be a dangerous place to paddle for the unprepared.
Not only is the Solent a major shipping lane, but its tidal streams and exposed water can prove extremely hazardous to kayaking novices. Use local tidal-stream information and a marine forecast; a high-water time on its own is not enough to plan a crossing.
For a first taste of kayaking in the area, the river hire and guided options above offer plenty to enjoy too.
The narrowest point is between Hurst Castle on the mainland and Fort Albert on the north end of Colwell Bay across on the Isle of Wight. This stretch is about a mile wide and makes an impressive backdrop for experienced sea kayakers, with tidal streams and shipping to plan around.
The members of the New Forest Kayak and Canoe Club are extremely knowledgeable about Solent sea kayaking and it would definitely pay to contact them in the first instance for more information and paddling tips. Their club paddles and training are well worth a look!
Useful New Forest paddling information
There are plenty of resources available for those wishing to experience kayaking in and around the New Forest and no shortage of local people who would wish to offer you advice, instruction and references for kayaking in the area.
- New Forest Kayak and Canoe Club
- The UK Rivers Guidebook
- The UK Sea Kayak Guidebook
- Things to Do in The New Forest
- New Forest National Park Authority
- Keyhaven Yacht Club
- New Forest National Park Wiki
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
A final word before you paddle
We hope you enjoyed our take on kayaking in the New Forest. With its rivers, marshes and fabulous coastline, there’s plenty here to keep the enthusiastic paddler coming back for more.
Are you perhaps interested in Kayaking in the Lake District or in Somerset? If so, we’d love you to check out our previous blog entries on those topics.
Happy Paddling Everyone!
About the author: I’m Mark, enthusiastic paddler and owner of Kayak Mad! Read more about me and Kayak Mad.
New Forest kayaking FAQs
Where can beginners go kayaking in the New Forest?
A guided Beaulieu River trip is a good place to start if you’d like an instructor alongside you. New Forest Activities also offers self-guided hire, with a briefing before you set off; check the swimming and age requirements for your chosen session.
Can I launch my own kayak on the Beaulieu River?
Yes, with permission and a booked launch at Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour. The published paddlecraft fee is £7.50 per vessel, excluding parking, as checked in October 2026. Do not launch or land elsewhere on the river, and avoid the slipway for two hours either side of low water.
Do I need a licence to kayak in the New Forest?
There is no single licence covering every New Forest paddle. Check the rules for your chosen waterway and launch point: Beaulieu requires permission and a launch booking, while Lymington’s public slipways require advance payment. A general waterways membership does not replace local access arrangements.
Can I hire a kayak in the New Forest?
New Forest Activities lists two-hour self-guided Beaulieu River hire from April to October. For Lymington and Keyhaven, confirm a currently operating provider and price directly before travelling; the old hire links and prices in this guide could not be verified.
Is the paddle from Keyhaven to Hurst Castle suitable for families?
A guided paddle towards Hurst Castle can make a lovely family outing when the route and conditions suit the group. Ask a local provider about the right session for your children’s ages and experience, and plan around the tides at Hurst Spit.
