The River Tyne in northeast England offers a varied paddling experience, from the rural upper reaches of the North Tyne through to the urban estuary at Newcastle and beyond. The river is now regarded by some as England's best salmon river, and paddlers can expect to encounter otters, sea trout, and a range of waders and wildfowl along the way. From the mudflats at Lemington toward the estuary, wildfowl are particularly abundant, and the Newcastle stretch hosts a colony of kittiwakes that nest on the towers of the Tyne Bridge. Dolphins, porpoises, and seals have also been recorded on the river, occasionally venturing inland from the Farne Islands to feed on salmon, though these sightings are uncommon.

Guided SUP tours operate along the stretch between Wylam and Hexham, and kayak tours run through the Newcastle Quayside area, including evening glow tours past the Tyne Bridges. The Quayside section passes through a historically and architecturally significant urban corridor, with the iconic bridges providing a distinctive backdrop.

On the North Tyne tributary, access and egress points are used by paddlers heading through areas such as Barrasford and Wark, where toilet facilities are available at certain times. Paddlers should be aware that Warden Gorge is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is also private property; portaging there is not permitted. The vehicle bridge at Wark has a width restriction of 2 metres, which is relevant for those transporting boats by vehicle. Agreed access points should be used at all times, and paddlers are expected not to obstruct field gateways or residential access.

A Paddle UK licence is required to paddle many stretches of the river, as is the case with numerous rivers in England and Wales. Membership covering over 4,500 kilometres of waterways is available from Paddle UK for an annual fee. Guided experiences on the tidal Quayside section require paddlers to avoid heavy or waterlogged clothing such as down jackets, jeans, or hiking boots, as these can impede the effectiveness of buoyancy aids.