From the rigging green at Chalkwell Beach, head west (turn right!) towards Old Leigh. Pass Essex Yacht Club / HQS Wilton and before or at Bell Wharf, cut across to head south and paddle clockwise around the foot of Two Tree Island, past the slipway and on into Benfleet – as per Canvey Way 12k go through the first road bridge and sea defences, past the station and beyond to turn at the Canvey Way road bridge. Paddle back past the slipway at Two Tree, then depending on conditions, either straight-line it back to Chalkwell in deep water or for some protection stay close to the shoreline and paddle back along the beach from Bell Wharf.

Only suitable on the top of the tide – and not really suitable for neap tides as it may be too shallow beyond Benfleet. Depending on your speed, set off around an hour and a quarter (assuming 8kmph) before high tide. Aim to turn at Canvey Way as the tide turns. Avoid easterly and southerly winds unless they’re very light as it gets choppy between Chalkwell and Old Leigh, light to moderate offshore north-west to north-easterlies are ideal as the route stays pretty flat, light to moderate westerlies can also be good. Check tide and wind conditions via our SUP weather page…

This is a long route (which could take nearly 3 hours at c. 7kmph!) so make sure you’re ready for it and completely sure of conditions. The buoyed deep shipping lane comes in east of Two Tree / Bell Wharf and continues into Leigh Marina: look out for traffic, both leisure and commercial, here and up Hadleigh Ray into Benfleet. Be careful of beach furniture (generally stay offshore of green starboard markers) and mooring lines. On a hot and/or sunny day, an easterly sea breeze can fill in – even if it’s light westerly when you set off – which can seriously chop the water up around Leigh Marsh. Check the wind, weather and tide via our SUP weather page. Don’t forget to pay for parking at Chalkwell (10am to 6pm) as the traffic wardens are pretty efficient!