Explore Recreational Activities on the Water at Mersea Island
Dive into the world of recreational activities on Mersea Island. From exciting water sports to serene boat rides, Mersea offers a variety of aquatic adventures for every enthusiast. Whether you're looking to sail along the coast or indulge in paddlesports, the island is a haven for water-based fun. Make your visit unforgettable by exploring the vibrant opportunities for recreational activities that await.
⚓ Our Flagship Anchor
Discover the Benefits of Freedom Boat Adventures
Website : freedomboatadventures.com
New Captains Road, West Mersea, CO58QP
About Freedom Boat Adventures
"We offer a service that means whoever wants to join us for our adventures on the River Blackwater can, without any hinderance, due to a fully accessible boat designed to remove all blocks to accessing the boat and using the facilities once on board."
Access for all.
Committed to creating Access for all
Until now nobody in East Anglia has challenged traditional boat building designs that are not accessible to those with limited mobility or complex needs.
Our boat "for all" can have a huge positive impact on many people's lives living with disability, and create an experience that wouldn't otherwise exist.
The Team at Freedom Boat Adventures is focused on offering an amazing program of fully accessible boat experiences that can offer fun, water based education and empowerment for all ages and abilities.
Our passengers can now look forward to accessing sea-going experiences and their proven therapeutic and mental health benefits.
The team comprises of people from a mix of backgrounds that compliment the project and enable us to meet the challenges of creating such a project.
- These include boat builders - engineers - youth - a community worker - a disability activist & wheelchair user plus a range of professionals in the water-based community who are actively supporting the project.
The team is also supported by the wider Mersea community who have offered volunteer support and are fully engaged in the ongoing fund-raising activities.
👇 Tap below to call, email, or view their website instantly!
🧭The Navigators Deck
Where: swimspirational.co.uk
Open Water Swimming Coaching
Keeping Children and Families Safe
Every single year during the school holidays, Vicky runs her incredible Children’s Sea Safety Sessions right here on the Mersea shore. These aren't boring classroom talks—they are live, hands-on, high-density survival classes designed to give your kids total confidence in the sea.
Vicky has completely sorted a 90-minute masterclass (60 minutes on the beach, 30 minutes practising live in the waves) covering the critical facts every island kid needs to know.
Vicky also walks families directly through the STA Water Safety Code, teaching kids to spot hidden dangers, read beach flags, always swim with an adult, and learn how to help others without putting themselves at risk.
🌐 Visit Website| 📅 Book a Session
Bespoke sessions based on your personal goals & aspirations
Vicky is an STA Level 2 Open Water Swim Coach and received her training from Double Open Water World Champion and Olympic Medallist Kerri-Anne Payne.
Vicky is qualified to coach all abilities of open water swimmers including novice, intermediate and experienced.
1:1 Sessions and Group Sessions are available to book.
What can you expect from a session?
Effective and progressive individual session plans that are suitable for all swimmers needs and abilities.
Introduction for Novies
Introduction to Open Water Sessions available for novice open water swimmers.
Event Coaching
Technique sessions available for Triathlon, Iron Man, Ice Miles or Swimming events.
Technique Sessions
Technique sessions include sighting, drafting, bouy turns, stroke analysis, breathing and body positioning, mass starts, deep waterside entry, treading water, pack swimming, feeding, run outs, dive starts and cold water swimming acclimatisation.
Safe, Challenging & Enjoyable
All sessions are delivered in safe, challenging and enjoyable environments.
Keeping Children and Families Safe
Every single year during the school holidays, Vicky runs her incredible Children’s Sea Safety Sessions right here on the Mersea shore. These aren't boring classroom talks—they are live, hands-on, high-density survival classes designed to give your kids total confidence in the sea.
Vicky has completely sorted a 90-minute masterclass (60 minutes on the beach, 30 minutes practising live in the waves) covering the critical facts every island kid needs to know:
🌐 Visit Website| 📅 Book a Session
(Proud to Support Eat Shop Play Mersea)
Stay Safe on the Water
West Mersea - Coastguard Rescue Team
HM Coastguard Rescue Team based on Mersea Island. We cover from Colchester Hythe round to Heybridge.
Dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
West Mersea Lifeboat Station
Coast Road, West Mersea, CO5 8PG
Telephone: 01206 382914
⚓ Enjoying Mersea’s Coastline Safely: A Handy Guide for Our Visitors
For our holidaymakers, campers, and day-trippers visiting the front this summer, understanding these basic coastal movements is the easiest way to ensure a completely safe, happy, and memorable family trip.
This quick checklist brings together standard, long-standing island knowledge to help visitors read the tides, respect the currents, and enjoy everything our independent paradise has to offer with total peace of mind.
More Island Water Activities...
Mersea Island Water Park
Rewsalls Lane, CO5 8SX
A charming rural shop and restaurant in East Mersea, known for its superb local produce and varied menu.
Waldegraves Pool
Waldegraves Lane, CO5 8SA
popular holiday destination on Waldegraves Lane featuring its own fishing lakes, coastal access, and family-friendly swimming pool during weekday term time.
Mersea Island Rowing Club
21 City Rd, CO5 8NE
A welcoming local sports club on City Road that promotes fixed-seat rowing, teamwork, and fitness out on the water.
MWK Mersea Windsurfers
Victoria Esp, CO5 8DA
An active community club based on Victoria Esplanade that is perfect for windsurfing enthusiasts looking to enjoy the island's coastal breezes.
Brightlingsea Foot Ferry
Copperas Rd, CO7 0AP
A convenient seasonal ferry service connecting pedestrians and cyclists from Mersea directly over to Brightlingsea and Point Clear.
West Marine Boatyard
Victory Dock, CO5 8LT
A dedicated boatyard at Victory Dock providing essential marine services, boat storage, and maintenance for local vessel owners.
East of England Paddlesports
11 Chatsworth Rd, CO5 8RF
A premier local provider offering paddleboard hire, professional lessons, and guided tours around the island’s beautiful waters.
Seaskipr.com
16 Estuary Pk Rd,CO5 8BZ
A professional maritime service based on Estuary Park Road specializing in high-quality yacht charters, sailing experiences, and skippered skipper training.
West Mersea Yacht Club
116 Coast Rd, CO5 8PB
A historic and highly regarded yacht club on Coast Road that provides fantastic shore facilities, cruising opportunities, and competitive racing
Dabchicks Sailing Club
Coast Rd, CO5 8NX
A vibrant, family-friendly coastal club on Coast Road offering excellent sailing training, racing events, and social activities.
Mersea Island Watersports
110 Coast Rd, CO5 8NA
An all-in-one watersports hub on Coast Road providing top-tier equipment hire and expert lessons for paddleboarding, kayaking, and windsurfing.
