Exploring Cornwall’s beaches at low-tide brings a magic of its own, with rock pools and tidal pools to explore. Rock pooling in Cornwall is a favourite activity for children on the beach, full of exciting things to discover. From sea creatures to observe, magical caves and colours, as well as rock pools for paddling or tidal pools for swimming in. The low tide offers a whole other perspective to the beach and coast. Best of all it is one of the many great free things to do in Cornwall.
Families will love this coastal adventure, as you clamber over the rocks and get close to some wonderful sea life. Children will love seeing different creatures, with starfish, crabs, sea anemones, and small fish. Create some of your most memorable family adventures in Cornwall at low tide.
Hendra Holiday Park is just moments away from a stunning part of the north coast of Cornwall: Newquay. There are so many Newquay beaches that are perfect for rock pooling, exploring and discovering. Further afield there are some excellent tidal pools too, which are excellent for relaxing and swims by the coastline.
When is low tide?
Low tide is twice a day and is caused by the gravitational pull of the moon. At low tide the sea water remains in places on the rocks and creates rock pools and tidal pools. You can check tide times online, as they do change. It is also very important to make sure that you do not get cut off by the sea. The tide comes in faster than you think, so before you go exploring Cornwall at low tide, check and plan on the RNLI website.
Discover Cornwall’s Rock Pools
Rock pooling can be enjoyed at all beaches in Newquay at low tide. You can look out for a range of different creatures when rock pooling in Cornwall, including hermit crabs, shore crabs, sea anemones, tiny fish, limpets and barnacles, colourful seaweeds and you may even see a starfish at low tide. Here are some of our favourite beaches to explore rock pools in Newquay.
Tolcarne Beach – at low tide head around the rocks to the north and you will discover a treasure trove of rock pools to explore, and some pools great for little ones to take a dip.
Great Western Beach – south of Tolcarne, there are rock pools and sea caves at the base of the rocks.
Porth Beach – a popular family beach. Porth has plenty of rock pools to explore at low tide. A large beach, with rocks on the left and right with plenty of places to discover sea life and pools. There are rock pools under Porth Island bridge, next to Gull Rock. This area is next door to Whipsiderry and you cannot walk too far towards this beach due to the unstable cliffs.
Fistral Beach – known for surfing, Fistral is also good for exploring rock pools too, with areas on each side of the beach. Again, be careful with tides here.
Rock Pooling with Kindness
When exploring the rock pools, it is important to be kind and respect these creatures’ habitats. You can do this by handling creatures gently, using hands instead of sharp nets, as well as putting overturned rocks and stones back. If you are using a bucket keep the bucket of water cool and uncrowded, and always return creatures back to where you found them when you have finished. Be careful when rock pooling in Cornwall as exploring the rocks as they can be rough and slippery in places. Sea shoes with good grip will help you explore more easily and safely. Remember to also take any rubbish with you and leave only footprints!
Take a Dip in a Tidal Pool 
There are a few spots on the north coast to enjoy a tidal pool dip – a definite highlight when exploring Cornwall’s beaches at low tide. Up towards Padstow, further north on the north coast but less than 40 minutes from Hendra Holiday Park, there’s Treyarnon tidal pool. An easily accessible tidal pool with parking at the Treyarnon Bay pay-and-display car park. The pool is located just under the rocks and is good for family swimming in Cornwall with supervision.
Also nearby there’s Trevone Sea Pool, which is a 5-minute walk west of Trevone Bay car park along the coast path toward Newtrain Bay/Harlyn. A spacious and clear water pool in the rocks, known locally as Tinker Bunny’s Bathing Pool. At it’s deepest it is 8ft but it has shallower areas too.
The Tide is High
As the tide begins to return, Cornwall’s coastline transforms once again. High tide brings its own adventures, with swimmers, paddleboarders and kayakers enjoying the high water. High or low tide in Cornwall is the ideal time to get out and explore Cornwall’s incredible coastline during your stay at Hendra Holiday Park, with seven fantastic beaches near Hendra waiting to be discovered.
