Special Eco Coasteer Newquay
On Sunday 8th May we held a very special coasteer here in Newquay with the help of the Cornwall Wildlife Trust. On rare occasions throughout the year we get super low tides that recede a lot further than usual uncovering parts of this beautiful coastline that normally go unseen. Both the general public and CWT members were treated to a very special coasteer team that included Marine Awareness Officer Matt Slater and local Eco Coasteer legend Karl Fice-Thomson. Due to the extreme low tide it was predicted that an area already abundant in wildlife would prove extra special with rock pools and caves normally inaccessible a likely haven to different species. Algi covered rocks usually submerged beneath the sea become visible.
Cornwall Wildlife Trust Discoveries
Having experts on hand in such a diverse aquatic environment helped the group thoroughly explore the area and discover all it’s inhabitants which included some interesting critters!
Marine Awareness Officer Matt Slater commented: “It was amazing to be able to carry out a survey on such a fascinating and hard to access shore which without the expert help of Newquay Activity Centre we would have not been able to access. We were lucky with the weather having flat calm conditions as well as an exceptionally low tide.” He went on to say: “As we swam and climbed east along the shoreline we were astounded at the diversity of life in the many caves and crannies which are so rarely accessible!”
Matt, Karl and the group discovered a whopping 80 different marine species during the coasteer, which included:
Five species of crab including Velvet Crabs, Pebble or Furrowed Crabs, Broad Clawed Porcelain Crabs and Edible Crabs

A rare colonial seasquirt colony called Star Ascidian

Tompot Blenny

Rare Baked Bean Seasquirts

Local grey seals

Eco Coasteering in Newquay this Summer!
The best time to come Eco Coasteering is in the spring and summer when the water is warmer, calmer and the fauna and flora is more active! At the Newquay Activity Centre we have expert guides on hand to show you around this incredible part of the coastline via our wide variety of routes. With our experienced team and expansive in-house knowledge of the ranging tides and routes you can make the most of Cornwall’s beautiful coastline in safe well-qualified hands. If you fancy taking part in an Eco Coasteer session this summer give us a call on 01637 877722 or email info@newquayactivitycentre.co.uk for more details.
For more information check out our Coasteering Activities in Newquay.
Images: Aaron Parsons Photography