Launch from the top of the slipway at Two Tree Island (Leigh-on-Sea) towards high tide and head west (turn right!) up Hadleigh Ray into Benfleet. Follow the main channel all the way to Benfleet Yacht Club, just short of the bridge, and back for an 8km loop.

Purely a high tide route as there’s only water in Benfleet on the top of the tide! Depending on your average speed, set off from 40 minutes (6kmph) to 20 minutes (9kmph) before high tide – as the ebbing tide will help you back, you can leave it later if you’re happy to work a bit harder on the way out. Ideally aim to turn as the tide turns. Neap tides (high below 5m) can be sketchy and very shallow in places. Not ideal in easterly winds as it’s a headwind home and wind against tide can get very choppy! Best in light to moderate westerly winds, also offers some protection in southerly or northerly.  Check tide and wind conditions via our SUP weather page…

Strong tidal currents, so stick to slack water (within an hour of high tide) whenever possible. Although there’s usually water in Benfleet within a couple of hours of high tide, the current gets pretty full-on more than an hour off high water. Stay right on the way into Benfleet and left (traffic allowing!) on the way back as there are shallows at the mouths of the creeks – follow the port markers and buoys for the deep channels. Can get very busy with traffic, especially on summer weekends: give way to sailing boats / dinghies and beware of wash off motorboats.