ROCKPOOL EXPERIENCE
A micro odyssey!
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​2 hours // £30 pp, under 16s £20pp
Surf Sanctuary is committed to providing educatonal experiences that enhance your interaction with nature.
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Rockpools, or as some call them, tidepools, are fascinating marine habitats found along rocky coastlines. These pools form in the rocky crags that are submerged by the sea at high tide, but remain filled with seawater when the tide drops out. This creates a unique, ever-changing environment that can house a rich diversity of life.
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Cornwall, and our little stretch of Fistral and Towan Headland, is known for its rocky coasts and abundant rockpools. This is why we think they are particularly fascinating:
Biodiversity: Rockpools in Cornwall are biodiversity hotspots, home to an array of sea life from colorful sea anemones, crabs, limpets, snails, and starfish to various types of seaweed and many more. Each rockpool can be its own microcosm of marine life.
Survival of the fittest: The environment within rockpools can be harsh, with conditions changing drastically within a day. From being battered by waves to exposure to sunlight and temperature fluctuations between tides, organisms must be hardy to survive. You can't help feel admiration for the resilient creatures that inhabit them.
Educational value: Rockpools offer a great opportunity for education. They provide an accessible way to explore marine biology and ecology, learn about different species, their habits, and their adaptations to the environment. This is perfect for families, schools, and anyone interested in learning more about the marine ecosystem.
Conservation and Environmental Indicators: The health and diversity of species in rockpools can indicate the health of the broader marine environment. This makes them important for conservation studies and understanding environmental impacts like climate change, pollution, etc.
Natural beauty: Lastly, there's undeniable beauty in the rockpools. The blend of rocky landscapes with the clear pools reflecting the sky, filled with colorful, unique creatures, offers a truly fascinating and sometines alien experience.
Accessibility: Because they're located along the shoreline, rockpools are more accessible to people than the open ocean. This allows people of all ages and abilities to experience marine life up close and personal.
FAQS:
What do I need to wear? Suitable clothes for the beach, and the weather of the day. It's always colder than you think by the shore but you can take layers off. What sort of footwear do I need? Trainers, wet shoes, aqua shoes are all fine. If you don't have these, we can lend you a pair of wetsuit boots. What's the minimum age? 7 years and upwards, although every child is different. I've got dodgy nees, can I go? There is some clambering over uneven surfaces but we don't move quickly. The ability to flex at the knees to get closer to the pools does help. What will we learn? Amy, our rockpool guide, is an experienced marine biologist and ecologist who also runs projects in the conservation sector. Amy can explain all the different species and their interactions to suit any audience from the casually curious to Masters research students. So you can learn as much as you wish on your tour.