Owing to the vast lakes that lie against dramatic mountain backdrops, Lake District water sports are becoming ever more popular with adventure seekers. Whether you want to go paddle boarding on Windermere, kayaking on Ullswater, or wild swimming in Derwentwater, there are plenty of Lake District activities for families and outdoor lovers.
This guide provides you with information about which Lake District water sports you can do on the main lakes in the national park.
| LAKE | SWIMMING 🏊♀️ 🏊♂️ 🏊 | CANOES, KAYAKS & PADDLEBOARDS 🛶 🛶 🛶 | ROWING BOATS 🚣♀️ 🚣♂️ 🚣 | POWERED BOATS 🛥 🛥 🛥 | SAIL BOATS ⛵️ ⛵️ ⛵️ |
| BASSENTHWAITE | ✔️ | ✔️ (with permit) | ✔️ (with permit) | ✔️ (with permit) | ✔️ (with permit) |
| BUTTERMERE | ✔️ | ✔️ (with permit) | ✔️ (with permit) | ✖️ | ✖️ |
| CONISTON | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| CRUMMOCK WATER | ✔️ | ✔️ (with permit) | ✔️ (with permit) | ✖️ | ✖️ |
| DERWENTWATER | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| ENNERDALE WATER | ✖️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✖️ | ✖️ |
| GRASMERE | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✖️ | ✖️ |
| HAWESWATER RESERVOIR | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ |
| LOWESWATER | ✔️ | ✔️ (with permit) | ✔️ | ✖️ | ✖️ |
| RYDAL | ✔️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ |
| THIRLMERE RESERVOIR | ✖️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✖️ | ✖️ |
| ULLSWATER | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| WASTWATER | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✖️ | ✖️ |
| WINDERMERE | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
