Unearthing fabulous finds left behind by the tide in rockpools fills our summer with memories to treasure.
With a dad and grandad in the family who insist every year this will be the holiday we catch ourselves a great white shark, it’s no surprise me and my girls are keen rockpoolers.
There is something wonderful about clambering over sea-sculpted ground, slowly dipping your net into a clear still pool, running it gently through swaying seaweed or beneath a barnacled overhang, then hauling it in to explore the shimmering contents.
Whether you venture abroad or stay around UK shores, there are so many places scattered with such treasures from the sea, unearthing them can be such a fun-filled way to pass the hours.
So if you’re a newbie, or it has been a while since you’ve done it, here’s my list of rockpooling dos and don’ts…
Equipment:
So if you’re a newbie, or it has been a while since you’ve done it, here’s my list of rockpooling dos and don’ts…
Equipment:
- Nets - on sale throughout the summer at supermarkets and beach shops
- (A greener alternative would be to use a small beaker to scoop up your catch.)
- Buckets - not too small but remember, you need to be able to carry them when they’re full of water, and at least two in case you find any crabs, otherwise your shrimps and starfish may end up as lunch.
- A book to identify your catch – not essential but fun. We have Collins Seashore of Britain and Europe but there are loads more out there.
-
A camera – to show off your catch as the most important thing about rock pooling is that you put animals back where you found them.
What to wear:
Sturdy waterproof shoes – seaweed is very slippery and they’re useful for avoiding weaver fish or sharp rocks
Sun Cream and hat – hot weather guidelines apply
Swimming costume/shorts/T-shirt – of course you’ll get wet!
Where to go:
Any beach with a few rocks when the tide goes out is worth a try but The Guardian Online's 10 rockpool hot spots is a good place to start. Having an auntie living in Wembury Bay has meant we’ve had the pleasure of rock pooling at Bill Oddie’s favourite and it has never disappointed us.
Sturdy waterproof shoes – seaweed is very slippery and they’re useful for avoiding weaver fish or sharp rocks
Sun Cream and hat – hot weather guidelines apply
Swimming costume/shorts/T-shirt – of course you’ll get wet!
Where to go:
Any beach with a few rocks when the tide goes out is worth a try but The Guardian Online's 10 rockpool hot spots is a good place to start. Having an auntie living in Wembury Bay has meant we’ve had the pleasure of rock pooling at Bill Oddie’s favourite and it has never disappointed us.
Safety:
Always check local area tidal times. It’s best to rock pool when the sea is out, obviously, but you need to be aware of when the sea will come in and also check if there are any areas of marsh or quicksand that you need to avoid.
Have a wonderful time and please let us know if you have your own rockpooling hot spot you'd like to share. Where's your favourite place to indulge?
Wembury Marine Centre for great info on uk beach animals
Check out @RFT Wendy's fab post about spending a day at the beach
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editor
09 June, 2010
West Wales -specifically Llanngranog has been our favourite for this over the years and I have friends who rave about Aberdovey, further North. We are just back from a first trip to Brittany and we really enjoyed seeing the size of the crabs running around...
09 June, 2010
This is a lovely guide Jo. We had a pleasant reminder of our rockpooling adventures from last week's holiday in France just this morning in the car, when I asked my girls where the horrible smell was coming from. My eldest said she thought it was the bag of shells we brought back, which was still stuffed under my seat.. Retrieving it, was delighted to find my three-year-old had stuffed lots of slimy seaweed in there too...
dad
09 June, 2010
We hunt in North Wales. But specifically for crabs. They do some brilliant lines now, that have bags rather than hooks. We love it. I even bought a tide clock so we can know instantly where the tide is.
mum
09 June, 2010
We all love rock pooling too. So exciting to find hoards of little fish or shrimps and anemones are endlessly fascinating too. We love to go to Newport, in Pembrokeshire, and Poppit Sands, near Cardigan (great for crabs).
mum
09 June, 2010
Excellent ideas - thanks
09 June, 2010
@Linda that sounds fab. We used to rockpool near Port Eynon on the Gower when we were little too. That's South Wales. Fabulous. And we also rockpooled in Brittany last week and there were tons of crabs. We also caught some pretty fabulous gobys. :D
@Helen Eurghhhhh, hee hee.
@Ian, wow, I never even heard of a tide clock. Must look into that. Brilliant.
09 June, 2010
@Maggie, yay so glad you're here lady. It's like a family reunion. I'll bear those places in mind too. In France we also saw our first sea slugs. They were actually quite cute. :D
09 June, 2010
@Ellen thanks. There's always so much more you can add as well isn't there?