Quayside Glow
The Quayside at night provides a spectacular urban light show. Artistically illuminated buildings, the changing colours of the Millennium Bridge and the glowing neon signs of the bars and restaurants on the quays, create an unmistakeable and vibrant light scape. Experience all of this from the water, on one of our illuminated sit-on kayaks.
Launched in 2019, our sell-out Quayside Glow experience offers perhaps the most exciting and unique way to see Newcastle and Gateshead from it’s iconic river. Our experienced and knowledgeable kayak guides are on hand throughout to keep you safe and show you all the best bits, as well as sharing their favourite tales of the city.
Highlights typically include: exploring River Tyne at night, paddling an illuminated kayak and welcome drinks at the INNSiDE Hotel on arrival.
Price: £68 per person.
Suitable for: Adults and accompanied teens, ages 16+
“Absolutely brilliant trip along the Tyne, from the Sage to Dunston Staiths and back again, paddling through sunset into darkness, with the lights on the kayaks adding something really special to the atmosphere.
Seeing the Quayside and the bridges from the perspective of the river, and in the dark to boot, is an experience all of itself and one not to be missed. Highly recommend.”
As reviewed on Tyne & Wear TV
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Instant and secure online booking is available. Available dates are shown in green, choose your preferred date to see the tour times on that day. You can also call us on 0191 251 9412.
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FAQs
Where and when do I meet the Guide?
We have attached the arrival and end times of your tour onto the booking invoice as a handy reminder because we know you might be booking months in advance and so you can make plans for the rest of your day around this experience.
You’ll meet your guide over a drink at the Gino D’Acampo Bar in the INNSiDE Hotel on Newcastle Quayside, where they’ll explain what to expect. Then it’s to the riverside for a relaxed warm up before we launch our kayaks from Newcastle City Marina.
What will I see and do?
Tours always start with a quick kayak skills lesson on the water so you get a feel for the boat. We will paddle east for a short distance, to take a look at the Baltic and paddle under the iconic Gateshead Millennium Bridge. After that, we paddle west with the incoming tide towards Dunston Staithes. Your guide will interpret the cityscape as you paddle with occasional stops for tales of the city and to take pictures. During the latter section of the tour, the tide turns and we ‘go with the flow’
of the river back to the city centre. Tours last around two hours.
As this tour takes place after dark, your kayak is illuminated with LED lights. You’ll also have a small light on your helmet, as will the guides, so you can always see the other members of your group. Your safety is our number one priority.
Who is this tour suitable for?
This tour is suitable for adults and accompanied teens ages 16+. You should be comfortable around water and able to swim 25m. You should also be generally fit, healthy and able to undertake moderate exercise without difficulty. Typically we are paddling
at a relaxed pace, with the flow of the tide or river, but short bursts of high effort may be required to cross the river.
What do we provide?
A professional and qualified adventure guide
Premium, UK manufactured sit-on kayaks from Tootega, illuminated with LED lights
Dry cag and dry pants to pull on over your clothes
All the necessary safety equipment
Drinks before the tour at the INNSiDE Hotel
What do I need to bring?
Closed toe footwear that you don’t mind getting wet (e.g. old trainers)
Clothes you would typically wear for fitness activities, appropriate for the day’s temperature and weather.
Towel, dry clothes and dry shoes for afterwards
A camera or phone in a dry case if you wish to take your own pictures
A Bandana, Buff, lightweight or thin beanie for under the helmet
Gloves to paddle with so you have warm hands, these will get wet over the course of the paddle but
Unsuitable Clothing
The following clothing items are prohibited on the River Tyne as they may impede the effectiveness of the Buoyancy Aid in the unlikely event of submersion.
Hiking Boots, Healed Shoes, Wetsuit Boots
Jeans, Dresses
Heavy Coats, Down Jackets, Padded Jackets
Bobble Hats are unsuitable as we will be wearing helmets. Buffs or thin woolly hats may be worn under the helmet for warmth but they will be double checked by the guides.
Gift This Tour
We all want our gifts to be remembered
and nothing is more memorable than an adventure experience. Our gift experience vouchers are customisable, delivered instantly to your inbox and valid for one year. The recipient can use them for this tour, or any other experience we provide.