Head from Edinburgh to the raw eastern coastline for a full-day coasteering adventure: cliff jumps, sea caves, scrambling and guided swims on basalt and sandstone ledges. This guide covers what to expect, how to prepare, and key safety considerations.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
A cold Atlantic wind pushes salt into your face as you scramble off an eroded ledge and scan the water for a safe landing. Foam rolls and the sea dares you forward; a trainer’s voice counts you in. Within an hour of leaving the city, East Lothian’s cliffs open into a stitched line of sea caves, boulder gardens and plunge pools where coasteering turns walking into deliberate risk and laughter.
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
7 hours
Fitness Level
Good cardiovascular fitness and leg strength recommended; participants should be comfortable in cold water and able to swim at least short distances.
Wildlife
History
The eastern Scottish shoreline supported medieval fishing and later 19th-century quarrying; old harbors and ruins hint at a seafaring past.
Conservation
Stick to marked access points, avoid disturbing nesting seabirds in spring, and pack out all waste—coastal ecosystems are sensitive to trampling and litter.
Reserve your spot on the Coasteering Day Trips from Edinburgh today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Tide and weather dictate the route
Operators plan routes around tidal windows; expect changes on the day if swell or tides are unsafe.
Wear closed water shoes
Sticky rubber soles protect your feet on sharp rock and improve grip while scrambling.
Bring a warm change of clothes
Post-trip chill is common—layer up immediately after you exit the water to prevent hypothermia.
Arrive hydrated and fuelled
A high-energy day of swimming and scrambling requires proper hydration and a compact lunch or snacks.
Closed-water shoes
Protects feet on jagged basalt and provides traction on wet rock.
spring
Thermal base layer or rash guard
Adds a layer of insulation under the wetsuit and reduces chafing.
summer
Quick-dry towel and warm change of clothes
Essential for warming up after the session and preventing post-dip chill.
fall
Small dry bag (for valuables)
Keeps phone, keys and snacks dry on the boat or shore.