Torquay has two kinds of day out: the ones you book and the ones you just walk into. This guide starts with the activities you book, with prices and ratings as of November 2026, then moves on to the free beaches, gardens and wet-weather options in Torquay itself.
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Most of the water-based trips start from the harbour area or from Oddicombe on the eastern side of town. Not every trip runs through the winter, so pick your date in the booking calendar before you plan a day around it.
On the water
Torquay Coastal RIB Seafari
Torquay Watersports runs this one-hour trip in a rigid inflatable boat from The Pavilion on Vaughan Road. A lifejacket is included. It costs from £43 and is rated 4.9 from 523 reviews on Viator. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund.
Best for: anyone who wants to see the coast from the water without committing half a day. Less good for: people who dislike spray and speed.
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90 Minute Coastal Explorer
The same operator, Torquay Watersports, sells a longer 90-minute version, starting from Vaughan Road. Lifejackets are supplied and you need to bring warm or waterproof clothing. It costs from £54 and is rated 5.0 from 144 reviews on Viator, with the same 24-hour free cancellation.
Best for: a slower trip with more time along the cliffs. Less good for: anyone short of time, since the one-hour seafari covers the basics for £11 less.
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Coasteering Geopark Adventure
Rock Solid Coasteering takes small groups scrambling, jumping and swimming along the cliffs near Maidencombe, in the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark. It lasts around two and a half hours and meets outside The Thatched Tavern in Maidencombe. Wetsuit, helmet, buoyancy aid and gloves are included. It costs from £45 and is rated 5.0 from 239 reviews on Viator. Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.
The page asks for a moderate level of fitness and says the trip is not suitable for wheelchair users, pregnant travellers or anyone with back problems or serious medical conditions.
Best for: teenagers and adults who want something more physical than a boat ride. Less good for: anyone nervous about cold water and jumping.
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Wildlife, Sea Cave and Bushcraft Kayak Safari
Sea Kayak Torbay runs a three-hour guided paddle that starts at the Oddicombe Beach Shop. All equipment and technical clothing is provided, and the trip ends with a beach fire and marshmallows. It costs around £55 and is rated 4.9 from 187 reviews on Viator. Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.
Best for: a calm, guided look at the sea caves and coastal wildlife. Less good for: families with young children, as the page points you to the operator for family tickets.
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Stand-up paddleboard hire at Babbacombe
Babbacombe Watersports hires solo and giant stand-up paddleboards from Oddicombe Beach Hill, with a paddle, buoyancy aid and leash included. The listing is for a 30-minute slot at £10 per person, with free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead. It has no reviews yet on GetYourGuide.
Best for: a cheap first go on a board. Less good for: a long paddle, since the slot is only 30 minutes.
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On foot
The story of Agatha Christie’s extraordinary life
English Riviera Walking Tours leads this two-and-a-half-hour walk from the English Riviera Visitor Information Centre on Vaughan Parade. It costs from £20 and is rated 5.0 from 377 reviews on Viator. Cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund.
Best for: Christie readers and anyone who wants the town explained as they go. Less good for: small children, as two and a half hours is a long time on foot.
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The Fawlty Tours walking experience
The same company runs a two-hour Fawlty Towers walk, meeting outside the Visitor Information Centre on Vaughan Parade. It costs from £15 and is rated 4.9 from 57 reviews on Viator, with the same 24-hour free cancellation.
Best for: fans of the sitcom, and the cheapest guided activity here. Less good for: anyone who has never seen the show.
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Free things to do
You can fill a day in Torquay without paying for anything but parking.
- Meadfoot is a shingle beach about a mile from the harbour, with a cafe, toilets, rock pools at low tide and a pay and display car park next to the sand. Dogs are banned on the south-western part from 1 May to 30 September.
- Torre Abbey Sands is the main sandy beach on the seafront, with toilets, a cafe, deckchair hire and a marked windsurfing area. Dogs are banned from 1 May to 30 September.
- Anstey’s Cove is a small shingle cove between high cliffs and woodland, reached by steep steps, and dogs are allowed all year.
- Babbacombe is a small shingle beach below Babbacombe Downs, whose promenade is known as the highest in England. The road down is single track and very steep.
- Oddicombe is reached by the Babbacombe Cliff Railway, which has run since 1926. The beach has a cafe, toilets and beach huts.
- Cockington Court is a craft centre and 16th-century manor house on the edge of town. Entry to the Court and gardens is free, and the parkland beyond has paths through woodland.
None of Tor Bay’s beaches has lifeguard cover, so swim with a buddy and stay in the shallows.
Rainy-day options
- Kents Cavern is a cave system open all year, with guided tours. Tickets should be bought in advance online, and the Cave Entry option takes around an hour.
- Torre Abbey is a medieval abbey founded in 1196, with a four-floor museum, art galleries and glasshouses. Lifts reach all floors of the main building.
- Babbacombe Model Village is 90 to 95 per cent outdoors, but has three indoor areas worth 30 to 45 minutes. Tickets are bought at the gate, and your ticket includes one free return visit within 7 days.
With children
Children do best with a mix of the following: the rock pools at Meadfoot, the cliff railway down to Oddicombe, the miniature railway at Babbacombe Model Village, and the dressing-up areas at Torre Abbey. Of the paid trips, the RIB seafari at one hour is the shortest. The coasteering and kayak safari are better for older children and adults.
Which to choose
| Activity | Type | Length | From | Rating on booking page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal RIB Seafari | Boat | about 1 hour | £43 | 4.9 (523) |
| 90 Minute Coastal Explorer | Boat | about 1 hour 30 | £54 | 5.0 (144) |
| Coasteering Geopark Adventure | Active | about 2 hours 30 | £45 | 5.0 (239) |
| Kayak Safari | Paddle | about 3 hours | about £55 | 4.9 (187) |
| SUP hire, Babbacombe | Paddle | 30 minutes | £10 | no reviews yet |
| Agatha Christie walk | Walking | about 2 hours 30 | £20 | 5.0 (377) |
| Fawlty Tours walk | Walking | about 2 hours | £15 | 4.9 (57) |
Questions
What is the best boat trip in Torquay?
The most-reviewed is the one-hour Coastal RIB Seafari from Torquay Watersports, rated 4.9 from 523 reviews on Viator and priced from £43. A 90-minute version from the same operator costs from £54.
What can I do in Torquay for free?
Walk the beaches at Meadfoot, Torre Abbey Sands, Anstey’s Cove and Babbacombe, ride the cliff railway down to Oddicombe, or visit Cockington Court, where entry to the Court and gardens is free. Parking is the main cost.
What is there to do in Torquay when it rains?
Kents Cavern, Torre Abbey and the indoor areas of Babbacombe Model Village all work in wet weather. Kents Cavern is best booked ahead online.
Can I cancel a booked activity?
Every activity above shows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start on its booking page. Check the terms for your chosen date before paying.
Are the boat trips and watersports suitable for children?
It depends on the activity. Check the age and fitness notes on each booking page. The coasteering page asks for a moderate fitness level, and the kayak safari page directs families to the operator for family tickets.
Are there good days out near Torquay?
Paignton and Brixham are the other two towns on Tor Bay, with their own stays and beaches to look at if you want to extend the trip.
