On Water

Belhaven Beach is one of the best locations in Scotland to learn to surf. Coast to Coast Surf School are Scotland’s leading surf school and are based in a brand new surf centre a stone’s throw from the beach. With great equipment and super friendly and experienced instructors why not give it a go! Lessons for all levels and hires also available too. Ocean Vertical also offers a range of adventure activities across East Lothian. Also based in Dunbar, Ocean Vertical are a passionate team of adventurers specialising in paddle boarding, coasteering, surfing, climbing and mountaineering locally and across Scotland.

Cable wakeboarding uses overhead cables to pull the rider over the surface of the lake.  It feels similar to surfing or snowboarding and is suitable for all abilities and ages 6+. It’s one of the most progressive board sports and we can guarantee you’ll get up on your beginner lesson – if you don’t you’ll get your money back!  Each session is 15 minutes long and there are attractive packages to progress your wakeboarding with full instruction. There are many other activities at Foxlake for you to experience and an excellent cafe to recharge your batteries.

Relax while admiring Dunbar’s stunning sunsets at Belhaven, or paddle with seals around Dunbar’s Harbour! Whether it’s fun with the family or friends on giant SUP XLs or learning excellent technique and exploring on Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Boards the team at Coast to Coast are sure to give you a good time! Stand Up paddle lessons and tours are available right through the spring to autumn, all kit provided and experienced instructors. To find out more contact Coast to Coast Surf School! Ocean Vertical also offers a range of adventure activities across East Lothian. Also based in Dunbar, Ocean Vertical are a passionate team of adventurers specialising in paddle boarding, coasteering, surfing, climbing and mountaineering locally and across Scotland.

Explore the natural adventure zones around Dunbar, climbing/ bouldering, snorkelling and jumping. This activity is super fun, ideal for families and groups providing fun and challenges while immersing in the landscape that inspired John Muir! Open to adults and children (from 7yrs +) with all wetsuits and safety kit provided. To try coasteering get in touch with the experienced guides at Coast to Coast surf school!  Ocean Vertical also offers a range of adventure activities across East Lothian. Also based in Dunbar, Ocean Vertical are a passionate team of adventurers specialising in paddle boarding, coasteering, surfing, climbing and mountaineering locally and across Scotland.

There are some great diving spots just outside the harbour with good shore diving and four small islands nearby worth exploring.  If you have a boat there are some wrecks a little further offshore that are rewarding dive sites. For more information on these, visit the  Dunbar Harbour Trust website or UK Dive Site.  East Lothian Divers is based in Haddington and organises dives for members.

Skymonster, based in Edinburgh offers kitesurfing lessons across Scotland, including Belhaven Bay in Dunbar depending on wind conditions.  Kitesurfing is an exhilarating and versatile sport and with expert tuition it is safe and fun for everyone, no matter your fitness level.  From chilled freeriding to aerial jumps there are lots of ways to enjoy this sport. Skymonster offer a range of day courses and also have an excellent shop selling a range of SUP, kitesurf, wakeboard kit and accessories.

For sea kayakers the clear waters around Dunbar offer an opportunity to explore beautiful coastline with its harbours, caves, cliffs and sandy beaches, as well as abundant marine life. If you have your own kayak then access is easy from both Belhaven and East beach as well as in the Harbour. East from Dunbar there is dramatic coastal scenery with cliff faces, rock formations and caves to explore.  To the west are more beaches and small islands, and if you are local then the Lothian Sea Kayak Club organise trips, kayak hire and training in the area for their members.  Dun Eideann Sea Kayaking also organise guided trips along the East Lothian coast.

Foxfall is like no other ropes course in the UK; there’s no safety harnesses, just water!  Foxfall consists of four runs, all of which will test your skill and balance. Complete the course with ziplines into the water.  The course can be enjoyed by all abilities making it suitable for families, individuals, large groups and birthday parties. Finish off with a session on the Ringos and your group will be delighted. There are many other activities at Foxlake for you to experience and an excellent cafe to recharge your batteries and look out for a new water attraction opening in summer 2023.

Swimming in the North Sea is certainly invigorating and whether you are a keen wild swimmer or prefer a swimming pool, Dunbar has it all.  From sheltered coves to the expansive Belhaven Bay and the hugely popular Dunbar Leisure Pool with its wave machine, flume and lane swimming there is no excuse not to put on swimwear (or wetsuit) and embrace the water.  Dunbar once boasted an outdoor pool which sadly closed in the 1970s, you will find photos of this once glorious pool on the clifftop trail and in local businesses.  Wild Dunbar,  has been set up to create a network of outdoor swimmers based in Dunbar & the surrounding area.

Coastal Rowing in St Ayles skiffs is one of the fastest growing community activities/sports in Scotland.  Dunbar Coastal Rowing Club have two skiffs The Volunteer and Black Agnes based at Dunbar Harbour, we are both a social and racing club. Members row along the Dunbar coastline regularly when conditions allow. The social side also includes events such as the annual row on the River Tweed, usually in September, and different ‘adventures’ throughout the summer. Previous adventures have including rowing both Forth Clyde and Caledonian Canals. We also compete in racing Regattas throughout the summer across Scotland and the North East of England.

Take a trip from Dunbar Harbour with  Blue Wild, a family owned business that provides exclusive tours and private charters around the islands of the Firth of Forth and the Fife coast. Immerse yourself in the stunning East Lothian coastline and cruise in comfort to the Bass Rock, Isle of May and beyond.

On shore fishing around the Harbour is accessible and rewarding and if you don’t have equipment you can buy crab fishing lines from the RNLI shop at the Harbour and rods and other items from Pik n Choose on the High Street. For something a bit more adventurous there are two fishing boats which operate from spring to late autumn which can be chartered with all the equipment needed.  For more information and contact details visit Dunbar Harbour Trust.  It is also possible to launch your own boat.