The summer holidays are a great time to explore the Cornish rock pools. What better way to discover the crabs, fish, starfish, anemones and a host of other animals found around our shores than to join a guided event? You’ll have the experts on hand to tell you all about the animals and how they live and as part of a group, you’ll get to see everyone’s finds.

Here’s a summary of rockpooling and marine events this summer, which are all listed on the Cornwall Wildlife Trust events pages.

If you can’t make it to a group event, my pages on how to rockpool will help you make the most of your trip. Just click on beaches tab above to find a great rockpooling location near you.

Please check the organiser’s site for full details, any booking requirements and changes before attending. In all cases, children must be accompanied by an adult and wear suitable weather protection and footwear.

JULY

 24 July – Family Rock Pool Explore at Kingsand. 11.00. Booking essential for this fun rockpooling event for 5-11 year olds with Cornwall Wildlife Trust. Cost: £1 donation to Fox Club.

26 July – Seaweeds and Seaweed Pressing with Angie Gall at Trebah Garden, Helford. 10.00 – 12.30. Booking essential. Suitable for all ages, this workshop is a great chance to meet an expert and learn about seaweeds. Organised by Helford Voluntary Marine Conservation Association.

28 July – Helford Snorkel Safari. Details available on booking – booking essential. A chance for experienced snorkelers and confident swimmers age 8+ to enjoy a guided one-hour snorkel with local experts from Cornwall Wildlife Trust. £5.

29 July – Get Crafty at Polzeath. 10.30 – 12.30. Marine themed arts and crafts with the Polzeath Marine Conservation Group at the Marine Centre in Polzeath. £2 per person (free for members).

31 July – Rockpool Ramble at Cape Cornwall. 11.00 – 13.00 with the experts from Cornwall Wildlife Trust.

31 July – Carnival Rockpool Ramble at Hannafore Beach, West Looe. 11.30 – 13.00. Join the Looe Marine Conservation Group experts to explore the shore during Looe’s Carnival week.

31 July – Rockpool Ramble at Spit Beach, Par. 11.30 – 13.30. Join the experts from the Friends of the Fowey Estuary to explore the shore. £2.50 for non-members.

31 July – Rockpool Ramble at Polzeath. 11.30 – 13.30. Booking essential. Join the Polzeath Marine Conservation experts to explore the shore. £2 for non-members.

 

AUGUST

 2 August – Rockpool Photography at Durgan on the Helford 14.00 – 16.00. Booking essential. Suitable for families. Find out how to get great shots using your basic camera including phone cameras.

3 August – Beach Treasure Trail near Newquay. 13.00 – 15.00. Booking essential. A fun trail using a treasure map for primary aged children – collect natural materials along the way.

3 August – Beach Treasure Trail near Crantock. 13.00 – 15.00. Booking essential. A fun trail using a treasure map for primary aged children – collect natural materials along the way.

4 August – Rockpool Ramble at Swanpool, Falmouth. 14.30 – 16.30. Explore the shore with experts from the Cornwall Wildlife Trust.

5^th August – Wild Wednesdays Seashore Shenanigans nr The Lizard – 14.00 – 16.00. Rockpooling for primary aged children with the Wild Lizard Ranger. Contact claire.scott@nationaltrust.org.uk for further details.

5 August – Beach Art fun with Frugi on The Lizard at Kennack Sands. 14.00 – 16.00. Beach art for all the family with the Cornwall Wildlife Trust Marine Team and with Prizes from Frugi children’s clothes.

12 August – Wild Wednesdays Seashore Shenanigans nr The Lizard. 10.00 -12.00. Rockpooling for primary aged children with the Wild Lizard Ranger. Contact claire.scott@nationaltrust.org.uk for further details.

14 August – Mad About Mud at West Looe. 11.00 – 14.00. Booking essential. Join experts from Looe Marine Conservation Group and the Friends of Kilminorth Wood to discover the marine life of the Looe estuary. Suitable for all ages.

16 August – Public Sea Watch near Tintagel. 11.00 – 14.00. Look out for seals, basking sharks, sunfish, dolphins and other marine life with the Cornwall Wildlife Trust experts.

17 August – Beach Games near Newquay. 12.00 – 14.00. Booking essential. Learn about sea creatures then become them as you complete fun games and activities. For primary age children.

17 August – Newquay evening boat safari. 18.00 – 20.00. Booking essential. Discover the coastal and marine wildlife of Newquay with local expert Dave Thomas – birds, seals and more.

18 August – Fowey Marine Day at Fowey Town Quay. 10.00 – 16.00. A day of fun activities including meeting huge crabs with Friends of Fowey Estuary and Cornwall Wildlife Trust.

19 August – Wild Wednesdays Seashore Shenanigans nr The Lizard – 14.00 – 16.00. Rockpooling for primary aged children with the Wild Lizard Ranger. Contact claire.scott@nationaltrust.org.uk for further details.

24-28 August – Seaquest South West Road Show – at various locations. The Seaquest Southwest team will be touring the county, providing nformation, games and activities to teach people about whales, dolphins, sunfish, seals and basking sharks. Details available on request from seaquest@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk

26 August – Wild Wednesdays Seashore Shenanigans nr The Lizard. 14.00 -16.00. Rockpooling for primary aged children with the Wild Lizard Ranger. Contact claire.scott@nationaltrust.org.uk for further details.

29 August – Seashore Forage and Feast at Poltesco nr The Lizard. 10.30 – 14.30. Booking essential. Suitable for children aged 7+. Explore the shore, learn what’s edible and join the rangers to cook over a fire. £5 per child, £10 per adult – includes foraged lunch. http://www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/whatson/events_pages/Seashore_forage_and_feast_near_The_Lizard

 29 August – Rummage in a rockpool nr Penzance. 11.30 – 13.30. Booking essential. Join Cornwall Wildlife Trust experts to explore the shore. Suitable for primary aged children.

Have fun! If you know of other events please contact me and I’ll add them – and don’t forget to let me know what wildlife you find this summer.