‘Top Spots’ for Wildlife Along the Cornish Coast
The Cornish coast has the most diverse range of wildlife both out at sea, on the beaches and soaring high above the coastline.
The marine life is breath-taking, with a wealth of fish found swimming alongside the magnificent Bottlenose Dolphins, Basking Sharks and Fin Whales. The county’s coastal waters are also home to an impressive population of Grey Seals.
Now add to this the numerous molluscs found in both freshwater and saltwater, including clams, mussels and cuttlefish. And don’t forget the infamous crustaceans that also hide along the coastline and in the rock pools of Cornwall – spider crab, lobsters and prawns.
Here are some of our Top Spots for ‘Spotting Wildlife’ all within easy reach of our Cornish Seaview Cottages
Trevose Head (15 minutes to Padstow & Treyarnon Bay)
The common dolphin is one of the easiest to spot, but you’re also likely to see the Bottlenose Dolphin at Trevose. Basking sharks, seals, sea birds and even the occasional whale are also annually spied here and near Constantine Bay and Padstow.
The sea cliffs of Trevose Head are also home to a number of rare and uncommon plants, most notably the shore dock and wild asparagus as well as rock sea-lavender, tree mallow and golden samphire. The 30 hectares of priority habitat is perfect for Cornish wildlife and the wildflowers on the headland attract a variety of butterflies and bees. From here you can also enjoy a great diversity of birds, including Fulmars, Razorbills, Peregrines and Guillemots.
Image by Padstow Sealife Safaris
The Rumps & Pentire Point (an easy drive from St Minver, Port Isaac, Tintagel & Boscastle)
This headland offers sweeping views from the Camel Estuary to the west past Newlands and The Mouls islands, and east into Port Quin and Lundy Bay. Dolphins, Seals, Porpoises, Basking Sharks, Oceanic Sunfish, as well as great numbers of both resident and passage seabirds are annually sighted in the area.
Image by Padstow Sealife Safaris
Godrevy Point (30 minutes from Acton Castle in Marazion)
Here you’ll find a wonderful large grey seal colony around Mutton Cove and both dolphins and porpoises are frequent visitors. If you’re lucky you might also glimpse a Basking Shark and Oceanic Sunfish.
Falmouth Bay (just 50 minutes from Newquay)
This is yet another great destination when in pursuit of sea-watching and in particular dolphin spotting. Its deep waters and productive inshore reefs offer perfect conditions for the fabulous and diverse wildlife that not only can be seen from the shoreline, but better still when venturing out onto the water.
You could well be successful in spotting some of these incredible creatures – Humpback Whale, Minke Whale, Bottlenose Dolphin, White Beaked Dolphin, Basking Sharks, Leather Backed Turtles, Oceanic Sunfish, Falcons and Puffins.
Pendennis Point (50 minutes from Newquay)
Pendennis Point is one of the most easily accessed wildlife spotting locations along the Cornish coast. From here you’ll be able to watch seabirds, seals and every now and then the occasional dolphins and Basking Sharks. Small numbers of seals can often be seen at low water ‘hanging out’ on the rocks around Black Rock in the middle of the estuary mouth – pack your binoculars!
The panoramic views of the Falmouth Estuary and Falmouth Bay from The Point are truly stunning.
Recommended Wildlife Safari Sites:
https://www.padstowsealifesafaris.co.uk/sea-life/