Bloody Henry Sea Starfish near Trevose Head, Image by Matt Slater
National Marine Week
Find events near you!Explore the shore in Cornwall!
The Wildlife Trusts' National Marine Week is a nationwide celebration of the marine world! Here in Cornwall, we're running lots of fantastic events to help you discover our weird and wonderful marine life!
From 3rd - 11th August, you can get involved in various events with marine and coastal enthusiasts around the county. Join rockpool ramblers, seagrass snorkelers, and cliff-top dolphin watchers to learn about the extraordinary marine life along our coastline. This year The Wildlife Trusts theme is 'Sea the Connection'. This aims to showcase people in the UK, Alderney, and the Isle of Man who are connected to our seas and the ecosystem services that healthy waters provide.
Come along to events, follow our socials, and get connected to our seas.
What's On?
Did you know that the Cornwall Wildlife Trusts' Your Shore Network consists of marine conservation groups spread throughout the county? From Bude to Mounts Bay and Rame to Portheras you can join in on the fun and get involved your local National Marine Week events! These outstanding groups dedicate their time and resources to leading practical action and sharing the story of nature recovery throughout their communities.
Check out the Cornwall Wildlife Trust 'What's On' page to see all the cool events the volunteers organise. Don't forget to follow your local group on social media to stay in the loop and keep up with marine conservation activities on your patch of coast. Get involved in National Marine Week 2024: See you on the shore!
National Whale and Dolphin Sea Watch
In collaboration with the Sea Watch Foundation's citizen science project, join Seaquest Southwesters at Mirrose Well, North Cliffs on the 3rd August to survey the UK’s coastal waters. Help research the distribution of whales, dolphins, and porpoises around the UK by joining marine conservation groups around the county on their monthly Seaquest Sunday- 4th August.
Porthpean Beach Day
Come on down to Porthpean Beach on Monday, 5th August, for a fantastic day of marine-themed events! It is going to be a blast for the whole family, with crafts, shoreline scavenger hunts, a rockpool ramble, and a seagrass snorkel safari (book via Eventbrite). Plus, CWT Marine Conservation Officer Matt Slater will lead a fun and informative Shore Lab talk, where we will learn about our local marine species. See you there!
Explore the Shore: Curgurrell Rockpool Ramble
On Wednesday, 7th August, the Cornwall Wildlife Trust Shoresearch crew is teaming up with the Wild Roseland conservation group for a fun, family-friendly rockpool adventure on the Curgurrell shore. Get ready to "Explore the Shore" and discover the amazing world in the Roseland's rockpools. There is so much to see and learn about, from fish and crabs to colourful seaweeds and beautiful top shells. We will carry out a crab and fish survey, and maybe we'll even find the famous St. Piran crab! (Booking via Eventbrite).
Carlyon Bay Community Beach Day
Don't miss the Cornwall Wildlife Trust Marine Team gazebo at Carlyon Bay on Friday, 9th August! We have games, crafts, and cool marine artefacts for you to check out. Plus, you can join us for a snorkel safari and a silent disco beach clean! This is an awesome chance for young people to get together and celebrate their local beach during National Marine Week!
Lizard Point Wildlife Watch
Head to the National Trust Wildlife Watchpoint at Lizard Point to chat with volunteers about recent wildlife sightings, including Atlantic grey seals, dolphins, porpoises, sunfish, and occasionally whales and basking sharks. Open daily from 11am to 3pm, 1st April to 1st October.
Photo: Matt Slater
Volunteer at a Seaquest southwest sea watch, image by Matt Slater.
Seaquest Sunday!
The first Sunday of every month brings sea watchers from all over Cornwall to the cliff-tops and lookout points. Seaquest Southwest collaborates with marine and coastal wildlife groups to set up sea-watching sites supported by the local community. From 11 am – 1 pm on Sunday, 4th August, you can join the following:
- Newquay Marine Group on Towan Headland
- Falmouth Marine Conservation Group on Pendennis Point
- St Ives Bay Marine Group at the St Ives NCI Station
- Three Bays Wildlife Group at Dodman Point
- St Agnes Marine Conservation Group at the St Agnes Head NCI Station
- Perranporth Marine Conservation Group on Cligga Head
- Bude Marine Group at Widemouth Viewpoint
Visit Marine and Coastal Centres Around Cornwall
Over the summer, Cornwall's coasts host many groups and individuals volunteering to support their local environment and teach people about the marine and coastal world. They also strive to educate on good practices and protect people and wildlife so everyone can enjoy nature. Pop in and chat with the local National Coastwatch Institute (NCI) stations, National Trust Watchpoints, and the Marine Centre at Polzeath to see and learn more about our fabulous marine life!
© Paul Naylor
More info is available here:
Take action for Cornwall's seas
No matter where you live in Cornwall, whether on the coast or inland, you can do your bit to help our marine life.
