Pre-activity information

Before you arrive

Everything you need to know about where to go, what to bring, and how to arrive smoothly for your session at our Craster base. Please read this fully before setting off — phone signal in Craster can be limited.

Where to go What to bring Food & drink Facilities & valuables Schools & groups

Bring

Swimwear Towel Old trainers Socks

Trainers will get wet — that’s normal.

Wear

Sports top (non-cotton) Shorts over wetsuit (coasteer)

A rash vest is great. Avoid cotton.

We provide

Wetsuit Helmets Buoyancy aids Safety kit

You’ll be fully kitted up at base.

Footwear

Trainers are best. Neoprene/wetsuit beach shoes are not suitable for coasteering.

We may accept them on Kayaking to Dunstanburgh Castle, but they’re not ideal if we step onto rocks.

Where to go

Meeting point: our base near Craster, NE66 3SS — adjacent to HM Coastguard Station. We have changing rooms and toilets on site.

Please don’t get mixed up with the lifeboat station on the seafront — they are different places. We’ll email detailed directions (it can be tricky first time).

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Mobile signal: limited around Craster. Please don’t rely on calling for last-minute directions once you arrive in the area.

Glasses wearers

If you can manage without your glasses, that’s ideal. If you can’t, we recommend a spectacles retention strap.

We have a limited supply available to borrow.

What to bring (water activities)

  • Swimwear (to wear under your wetsuit)
  • Training shoes / old trainers (they will get wet)
  • Socks (recommended)
  • Towel
  • Rash vest / sports top (non-cotton)

Coasteering: please wear shorts over your wetsuit to reduce wear and tear.

What we provide

We supply a wetsuit and all required safety equipment.

  • Wetsuit
  • Buoyancy aid
  • Helmet
  • Activity-specific safety kit

If you’re unsure what applies to your session, ask — we’re happy to help.

Food & drink

Coasteering: it isn’t possible to take food or drink on the trip.

Kayaking: there is space on the boats for a water bottle and a snack. If you want to bring food, you’ll need a waterproof container.

We recommend having a drink and something to eat afterwards.

Photos

Our guides will usually have a GoPro. We’ll upload photos after the session and share them with you. Previous years’ albums are available on www.adnorth.smugmug.com.

Tip: if you bring your own camera/phone, please assume it may get wet. We can’t guarantee safety for personal electronics.

Facilities at Craster

  • Communal changing rooms (male / female)
  • Hot showers
  • Toilets
  • Free on-site parking

We are the only provider locally with proper changing rooms and showers.

Bags, keys & valuables

On busy days we may ask people to leave bags in their cars to keep the changing rooms flowing.

Keys can be left with staff if needed, but please note we do not accept responsibility for them.

If you’re attending as a group organiser, it can help to remind everyone to keep valuables to a minimum.

Corporate events, schools & groups

For activities other than Coasteering and Kayaking, we’ll be in touch directly to confirm meeting points, transport and equipment.

Groups travelling by coach: access to our site is not possible for coaches. We can arrange parking a short distance away — please tell us if you are arriving in vehicles larger than minibuses.

Walking groups: guided walks are delivered as part of corporate activities and meeting points / equipment lists will be sent separately.

Safety documents & AALA Terms & cancellations Contact us