We are North Devon Coasteering
A note from our founder, Simon Hope
The journey to North Devon Coasteering didn’t start in a boardroom, it started on the cliffs of the Jurassic Coast, where I spent my childhood jumping off anything that looked like a challenge.
I’m Simon Hope, founder and lead guide of North Devon Coasteering. My career has been defined by a simple, driving passion: to help others reconnect with the outdoors in a way that nourishes both their mental and physical well-being.
From New Zealand Caves to the Devon Coast
My background is built on real-world, high-stakes experience. After years spent exploring the UK’s coastline, my partner and I headed to New Zealand, where I worked as a professional guide for the world-renowned Waitomo Adventures. Working in those complex cave systems taught me that the best adventures are those that are expertly managed, safe, and deeply immersive.
Returning to the UK, I made North Devon my home. For five years, I coached surfing before discovering coasteering, a sport that combines the raw power of the ocean with the ancient, grounding energy of 400-million-year-old rock formations. After six years of mastering the craft and refining the technical routes of Hele Bay and Croyde, I realized it was time to build something different.
The North Devon Coasteering Difference: Why We Do It Differently
I founded North Devon Coasteering because I believe in quality over quantity. The industry is often flooded with mass-market tours, but I wanted to offer something more. By keeping our sessions strictly intimate, we ensure that you are never just part of a crowd. You get a session that is tailored to you, whether that’s a gentle introduction to the water or a high-octane scramble through the swell.
More Than Just An Adventure
For me, coasteering is about healing. There is a profound, almost spiritual connection between the physical act of climbing and leaping and the mental clarity found in the Atlantic ocean.
Looking forward, my mission is to integrate this "well-being" focus into everything we do. I am incredibly proud to be collaborating with local visionaries like Active Devon, ON Ilfracombe, Shakti V-Healing, and Olga Redinova to explore how our coastline can serve as a space for genuine restoration and growth.
We are currently developing a series of new, pioneering adventures for the North Devon coastline that you won't find anywhere else. Keep watching this space, we are just getting started.
Community Coasteering Projects
At North Devon Coasteering, we strongly believe in making coasteering accessible for all. We facilitate this by offering sessions that benefit mental health, physical wellbeing, trauma release and supporting all disabilities plus supplemented sessions for the local community.
You can find out more here.