Last Updated on 22 May 2026 by Dave King
Brighton has water sports running from Hove Lagoon in the west to Brighton Marina in the east. You can hire a paddleboard for an hour on the beach, take a sailing course from the Marina, try wakeboarding on the lagoon or book a jet ski session. This guide covers the main water sports in Brighton providers, what they offer and which locations suit different experience levels.
Prices and availability change by season. Check each provider’s website before booking.
Table of Contents
Providers Featured in This Guide
| Provider | Location | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Lagoon Watersports / Brighton Boating | Hove Lagoon and Brighton Marina | Windsurfing, wakeboarding, SUP, kayaking, sailing, jet ski, powerboating |
| Brighton Watersports | 185 Kings Road Arches, Brighton Seafront, BN1 1NB | SUP hire, kayak hire, ringo rides, wakeboarding |
| Paddle People | Sea Lanes, Brighton Beach | SUP hire, kayak hire |
| Hatt Adventures | Brighton Marina | Kayak hire, SUP hire, kayaking experiences, paddleboard lessons, powerboating |
Hove Lagoon
Hove Lagoon is a sheltered body of water on Kingsway, separate from the open sea. The calm, shallow conditions make it a good starting point for beginners and children.
Lagoon Watersports is based here and is RYA and AALA inspected. It offers windsurfing, wakeboarding, SUP, kayaking and sailing lessons and hire. Kids’ activities are available from age 6. The centre also runs kids’ activity weeks during school holidays, stag and hen packages, corporate team building and sessions for groups with learning difficulties and special needs.
Lagoon Watersports has a cable wakeboarding system on the lagoon, so you can try wakeboarding without a boat. Equipment including wetsuits is provided for all activities.
The Big Beach Cafe sits next to the lagoon if you want food before or after a session. There is also a playground, a kids’ paddle pool, a skate park and a model boating lake at Hove Lagoon, so families can fill a whole afternoon. For more on dog-friendly areas along the seafront, the beach near Hove Lagoon is one of the quieter stretches.
Brighton Beach
Two providers operate directly on Brighton Beach: Brighton Watersports between the Palace Pier and West Pier, and Paddle People at Sea Lanes on Madeira Drive.
Brighton Watersports is on the beachfront at 185 Kings Road Arches, Brighton Seafront, BN1 1NB, between the Palace Pier and West Pier. It hires out paddleboards and kayaks and runs ringo rides and wakeboarding. Paddleboard and kayak hire usually runs daily from 10am to 5:30pm from 1 May to the end of September, including bank holidays. The beachfront shop is open all year for equipment sales, with winter opening days and times varying. Paddleboard and kayak hire includes safety equipment, a wetsuit if required, basic instruction and insurance. Brighton Watersports also has on-site changing rooms, lockers and toilet facilities. Brighton Watersports is also an RYA training centre and has been operating for over 20 years.
Paddle People is based at Sea Lanes on Brighton Beach and advertises SUP and kayak hire from April to September. Check Paddle People’s current hire rules before booking, including swimming ability, age restrictions, ID or deposit requirements and facilities.
Brighton Beach launches are into the open sea, so conditions are less predictable than Hove Lagoon. Providers give safety briefings before hire and may close in rough weather.
Brighton Marina
Brighton Boating operates from Brighton Marina as part of Lagoon Watersports. Marina-based activities include yacht sailing, powerboating and jet ski sessions. RYA powerboating courses run from the Marina.
Hatt Adventures is based in Brighton Marina and hires kayaks and SUPs by the hour or by the day. Equipment can be taken off-site with a suitable vehicle. Launching from the Marina is tidal, with access only possible roughly two hours either side of high tide.
The Marina is the base for more structured water sports in Brighton, including sailing courses and powerboat training, where open-beach providers focus more on casual hire.
Which Location Suits You
Complete beginners and families with young children: Hove Lagoon. The sheltered water reduces the learning curve, and Lagoon Watersports provides full instruction and equipment.
Casual hire on a sunny day: Brighton Beach. Both Brighton Watersports and Paddle People offer walk-in or short-notice SUP and kayak hire without needing a lesson.
Sailing, powerboating or jet skis: Brighton Marina. These activities need the Marina’s infrastructure and are run by qualified instructors with RYA-aligned courses.
Taking equipment elsewhere: Hatt Adventures at Brighton Marina hires kayaks and SUPs for off-site use by the day.
FAQs
What water sports can beginners try in Brighton?
SUP and kayaking are the most accessible starting points. Both are available at Hove Lagoon (with full instruction) and on Brighton Beach (as supervised hire). Lagoon Watersports also runs beginner windsurfing and wakeboarding sessions.
Do I need to bring my own equipment?
No. The main hire equipment is provided, but what is included varies by provider. Lagoon Watersports includes full tuition and all equipment including wetsuits, Brighton Watersports includes safety equipment and a wetsuit if required for SUP and kayak hire, and Hatt Adventures’ hire includes the craft, paddle and buoyancy aid. Check Paddle People’s current hire inclusions before booking. Bring swimwear, a towel and sun protection.
When is the best time of year for water sports in Brighton?
Late spring to early autumn offers the warmest conditions. Brighton Watersports’ beachfront shop is open all year, while its paddleboard and kayak hire normally runs from 1 May to the end of September. Paddle People’s SUP and kayak hire is advertised as April to September. Early mornings tend to have calmer water.
Are water sports in Brighton safe for children?
Hove Lagoon is the safest option for younger children, with sheltered water and qualified instruction. Lagoon Watersports accepts children from age 6. Check Paddle People’s current age and supervision requirements before booking.
Final Thoughts
Water sports in Brighton split into three distinct locations, each suited to different activities and experience levels. Hove Lagoon is for learning, Brighton Beach is for casual hire, and the Marina is for structured courses and powered craft. The providers listed here are established operations, but always check each provider’s current safety requirements, equipment policy and sea conditions before booking. The main decision is sheltered water or the open sea.
