Coasteering - with Ocean Vertical

A while back, we were invited by our friends at River Rock (a cracking new Scottish whisky) to join them for a day of Coasteering in North Berwick and had an absolute blast.

Our guides for the evening were Ocean Vertical, an awesome team who got us kitted out and showed us the ropes. After a quick safety briefing we headed over to the rocky coastline where the fun began! For the next couple of hours we threw ourselves off various heights of rock formations into the North Sea then scrambled back up to climb over rocks and do it all over again. I’d expected the North Sea to be a bit baltic but with the wetsuit it was quite comfortable and I couldn’t wait to get back in every time because the simple act of jumping off a large rock, is just so much fun!

We couldn’t have asked for a better place or evening to do it. North Berwick beach is stunning, the sun was setting as we were jumping in, ending in an epic sunset as we finished the evening off with a good few nippers of RiverRock whisky round the campfire - what’s not to love!!

With local travel restrictions lifting I can highly recommend Coasteering for a great day out! Read on for more info on what you need to know...

What is Coasteering?

A little similar to canyoning, Coasteering is all about exploring our coastlines and getting up close and personal with the rock formations and wildlife around the sea. It usually involves clambering over rocks, a bit of swimming and most importantly jumping or diving into the sea from various points. It’s a unique exhilarating experience that will give you a totally new perspective of the coastal environment. There really is no feeling like jumping into the water from a great height!

Is it Safe?

There are plenty of risks involved in climbing over wet and slippery rocks and jumping into water from heights. That’s why its always a good idea to go with an experienced guide, at least until you gain confidence and get to know the areas well enough. A guide will teach you the techniques to safely traverse the rocks and will know the best spots for safely jumping into the water. They will also be full of knowledge about the local ecosystems and wildlife which is great if you want to learn a bit more while you’re exploring.

What do you need?

A wetsuit with boots and gloves is a must, and not just because you’ll be braving the freezing water. The wetsuit will protect you from all sorts of bumps and scratches as you scramble over the rocks. You’ll also need a helmet for further protection and a buoyancy vest can keep your chest protected and keep you easily afloat in the sea. If you go on a guided tour, this equipment is usually provided for you, which is handy for folk that don’t have all of the gear at home.

Carrying or right up to sunset.

Where can you do it?

If you’re in the North Berwick area, I can wholeheartedly recommend Stevie, Adria

There are also great places to go around Skye and the Moray Coast in Scotland and you can find a directory of the top UK providers at coasteering.co.uk