Our rock pool safaris are a fun, educational and active day out for people of all ages, based at Falmouth's and Plymouth's world class rock pooling spots.
Falmouth has some of the most diverse rock pool wildlife in the UK with the number of recorded species reaching over 300 as of 2021. A number that we fully expect to keep growing.
But why is this? Falmouth bay has exceptionally calm waters caused by the great depth of the harbour. At its lowest Falmouth has a depth of 34 meters making the third deepest natural harbour in the world. This paired with its location on the south coast and protective headlands have created an ideal sheltered home for the areas local marine wildlife. It also has an expansive strip of rock pools that spread around the bay and into the mouth of the Fal estuary.
We at the rock pool project have recorded over 300 species in Falmouth alone! Including some extremely rare ones such as a curled octopus (Eledone cirrhosa), Atlantic bobtail squid (Sepiola atlantica), St Pirrans hermit crabs (Clibanarius erythropus) and Giant gobies (Gobius cobitis).
Plymouth is rightly known as Britain’s Ocean City and is the first National Marine Park (NMP) in the U.K. Rich with astonishing marine wildlife, Plymouth Sound has a fascinating history, with famous figures such as Charles Darwin and Sir Francis Drake launching key expeditions from its shores.
A small sand and shingle beach, Mount Batten Bay looks out at the Breakwater and Drake’s Island, providing a scenic, sheltered location to explore the wonderful life hidden within the numerous rock pools found across the shore.
Firestone Bay, facing the verdant Cornish coast and next door to the mesmerising Royal William Yard, offers an unrivalled view of Plymouth Sound and is home to wonderful rock pool wildlife as well as frequent seal visitors. The beach is great to explore whether snorkelling, paddle boarding, wild swimming or rock pooling.
