CORNWALL Wildlife Trust are holding numerous events as part of National Marine Week, which runs from Saturday, July 28 to Sunday, August 12.
The organisation is celebrating Cornwall’s extraordinary marine life with two full weeks of fun and inspiring marine events across the county.
The events include a Seaquest Southwest Watch for National Whale and Dolphin Week at the Lizard Watchpoint on Monday, July 30, and Paddle for Plastic with Lizard Adventure and Fathoms Free on Tuesday, July 31.
There is also a Rockpool Ramble at Porthleven on Sunday, August 12.
Further information on these activities can be found at the bottom of the page along with a full list of events in the county.
Matt Slater, Marine Awareness Officer for Cornwall Wildlife Trust said: “You don’t have to go to the tropics to see some of the most beautiful and colourful marine life, Cornwall’s seas are teaming with marine creatures of all shapes, sizes and colours, from the striking cuckoo wrasse swimming in the kelp forests to the visiting ocean sunfish feeding on jellyfish all along the coast.
"So whether you’re an avid marine enthusiast or never had a look beneath the waves before, we’re inviting you to join us during National Marine Week and share in wonder of our living seas.”
Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s event programme includes a range of exciting activities including Eco-coasteering, snorkelling, rockpooling, clifftop sea watches, beach cleans and much more! There is something for everyone and events are taking place all over the county.
For those who like watching for wildlife from beautiful cliff top locations the Trust are running daily ‘sea watches’ around the coast led by experienced volunteers.
Everyone is welcome and who knows what you may see - seabirds, seals, dolphins and whales and even giant basking sharks!
Cornwall’s seas are amazing but they are also under increasing pressure, the Trust’s events not only inspire but also highlight ways in which people can help protect the marine environment.
Cornwall is lucky to have a growing network of marine conservation volunteers running local marine groups all around the coast and there are many ways in which the public can get involved and help protect their local patch of coastline!
Cornwall Wildlife Trust National Marine Week events in Cornwall:
Sunday, July 29 – Radical Rockpooling at New Polzeath
Join the Your Shore Beach Rangers to explore the rockpools and gullies at Polzeath. Ages 11+ only. Parental consent forms to be signed prior to event or on the day by a responsible adult. Time: 11:45am - 2pm. Only eight spaces available. Booking: essential on 07779 896650 or email polzeathmc@gmail.com Places must be paid for the day before to secure booking.
Monday, July 30 – Seaquest Southwest Watch for National Whale and Dolphin Week At The Lizard Watchpoint, with the National Trust
Join dedicated recorders and other Seaquest volunteers at these sea watches happening county wide for the National Whale and Dolphin Watch. Time: 11am - 1pm. For more information, email Seaquest@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk
Monday, July 30 – Sunset Session Boat Trip at Newquay Bay with Newquay Sea Safaris
Join Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Matt Slater and marine experts Chris and Annabelle Lowe for a cruise around Newquay and the Gannel Marine Conservation Zone aboard the Atlantic Diver. Time: 6.30pm - 8.30pm. Cornwall residents only (discounted price) Adults £20, Children £15. Booking Essential - 07582 466 122
Tuesday, July 31 – Seaquest Southwest Watch for National Whale and Dolphin Week At St Agnes Head NCI Station.
Join dedicated recorders and other Seaquest volunteers at these sea watches happening county wide for the National Whale and Dolphin Watch. Time: 11am - 1pm. For more information, email Seaquest@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk
Tuesday, July 31 – Paddle for Plastic with Lizard Adventure and Fathoms Free.
A kayak adventure with Lizard Adventures and Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Marine Officer Matt Slater exploring secluded coves, and recovering hard to reach plastic from around the Lizard Peninsula, to be recycled by the Fathoms Free Paddle for plastic. Cornwall residents only, no under eight’s and under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Time: 2pm – 5pm. Cost £35 (discounted rate). Bookings essential - Call 07845 204040. Sponsored by Southwest Water.
Wednesday, August 1 - Seaquest Southwest Watch for National Whale and Dolphin Week At Towan Headland, Newquay.
Join dedicated recorders and other Seaquest volunteers at these sea watches happening county wide for the National Whale and Dolphin Watch. Time: 11am - 1pm. For more information, email Seaquest@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk
Wednesday, August 1 - Looe Summer Snorkel at Hannafore, West Looe.
Join the Your Shore Beach Rangers for a supervised snorkel event to reveal the secrets of the sea and come face-to-face with some amazing marine wildlife. It’s the perfect way to discover the marine environment, have fun and challenge yourself. You’ll be snorkelling, clambering through gullies and exploring places that a normal rock pooling session can’t reach. Ideal for the young and adventurous. Enjoy a hot chocolate on the beach afterwards. Kiosk and toilets nearby. Ages 9-24 only, unaccompanied children under 16 must be signed in by a parent or guardian. All participants must be confident swimmers and confident in the sea. Time: 4pm – 6pm. Booking essential - jennifer.sandiford@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk / 07973 728775
Thursday, August 2 - Seaquest Southwest Watch for National Whale and Dolphin Week At The Rumps, Polzeath.
Join dedicated recorders and other Seaquest volunteers at these sea watches happening county wide for the National Whale and Dolphin Watch. Time: 11am - 1pm. For more information, email Seaquest@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk
Thursday, August 2 - Fowey Snorkel Safari with Friends of Fowey Estuary.
Join the Your Shore Beach Rangers for a supervised snorkel event to reveal the secrets of the sea and come face-to-face with some amazing wildlife. It’s the perfect way to discover the marine environment, have fun and challenge yourself. You’ll be snorkelling, clambering through gullies and exploring places that a normal rock pooling session can’t reach. Ideal for the young and adventurous. Enjoy a hot chocolate on the beach afterwards. Kiosk and toilets nearby. Ages 9-24 only, unaccompanied children under 16 must be signed in by a parent or guardian. All participants must be confident swimmers and confident in the sea. Time: 5.30pm – 8pm. Booking essential - nat.gibb@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk / 07973728804
Friday, August 3 - Seaquest Southwest Watch for National Whale and Dolphin Week Hella Point, nr. Porthgwarra.
Join dedicated recorders and other Seaquest volunteers at these sea watches happening county wide for the National Whale and Dolphin Watch. Time: 11am - 1pm. For more information, email Seaquest@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk
Monday, August 6 – Learn to snorkel in a rockpool at Bude.
Learn to snorkel in big rockpools on Cornwall’s north coast. A beautiful and safe place for children to try snorkelling for the first time. And to learn about interesting seashore life. Time 3.00pm – 5.00pm. Booking essential - wildlifewatch@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk.
Tuesday, August 7 - Marine Litter Masterpieces at Marazion. A beach clean with a difference!
Create masterpieces with the colourful plastics of the strandline you discover. Time 10am to 12pm. Booking not essential – just meet on the beach in front of Follyfield Car Park, Marazion. TR17 0EG. For more info contact matt.slater@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk. Sponsored by South West Water.
Wednesday, August 8 – Crazy about Crabbing at Mevagissey.
Family day on the harbourside learning about Cornish crustaceans and the Cornwall Good Seafood Guide. Take part in a wildlife friendly crabbing competition and meet the fisherman. Time: 2pm to 4pm. Free and booking not essential. For more information email seafood@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk
Friday, August 10 - CWT Eco-Extreme Rockpooling at Port Gaverne.
A Coasteering session with a difference with Cornish Rock Tors, and marine biologist Matt Slater, exploring the coastline for fantastic wildlife in hard to reach places! Time 10am - 1pm. Cornwall locals only, cost £36 (discounted rate). Booking essential -info@cornishrocktors.com / 07791 534884
Sunday, August 12 - Rockpool Ramble at Porthleven.
Explore a rarely visited exposed rocky shore home to a wealth of rare and fascinating creatures. Numbers limited, U18’s must be accompanied by an adult – access challenging.
Booking essential - matt.slater@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk. Sponsored by South West Water.
Sunday, August 12 - Newquay Summer Snorkel.
Join the Your Shore Beach Rangers for a supervised snorkel event to reveal the secrets of the sea and come face-to-face with some amazing marine wildlife. It’s the perfect way to discover the marine environment, have fun and challenge yourself. You’ll be snorkelling, clambering through gullies and exploring places that a normal rock pooling session can’t reach. Ideal for the young and adventurous. Enjoy a hot chocolate on the beach afterwards. Kiosk and toilets nearby. Ages 9-24 only, unaccompanied children under 16 must be signed in by a parent or guardian. All participants must be confident swimmers and confident in the sea. Time: 2pm – 4pm. Booking essential - jennifer.sandiford@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk / 07973 728775
There is also a huge number of exciting events being run by the Local Marine Group network all around Cornwall. Find out more about these events on the Your Shore Beach Rangers website – beachrangers.com/whats-on
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