Rock pooling is a great way to spend some time in Westward Ho! plus a perfect way to get kids engaged with nature. The rock pools in Westward Ho! are really easy to access and are teeming with life, especially in the summer months.
Rock Pooling in Westward Ho! can be a relatively sedate activity or a full days adventure! You can see from the Google image the amount of rocks/reef to the South West of the village centre.
Easy rock pooling, but still some amazing rock pools, can be found around the sea water swimming pool off the promenade, 3 hours after high water to 3 hours before high water. Just beside the sea water pool we have the old concrete sewer pipe, pictured, this can be walked on easily (take care as it can get slippy in places, see safety advise). This whole area has some brilliant rock pools to explore and are relatively easy and safe to get too for young ones and those less mobile, marked with white circle on the map.
When off Rock Pooling, by following this simple safety advise, it will make sure you get the most out of your day without the need to encounter the RNLI or Coastguards!
-Know the tide times. The best rock pools are uncovered 3 hours after high tide through the low water to 3 hours before high water. If you are heading further out, make sure you are back in plenty of time, the cliffs will cut you off 2-3 hours before high water depending on tide height.
-On the incoming tide always make sure you can see a clear path back. A rising tide can cut you off if you are further out on the rocks. By being aware of this and your surroundings you won't get cut off.
-The rocks and the concrete pipe can get very slippery, good footwear is advised. High heels look amazing but may not be the best!
-Take some suntan lotion. It's very easy to get carried away in the rock pools and get burnt even if not bright sunshine.
-A change of clothing for the little ones is a great idea, they do tend to get a little too close sometimes.
-Take a mobile phone. If you did get into trouble or saw someone else in trouble, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Tide times and sea safety advise is always available from Ho! Surf or North Devon Surf School in the village or online. We want you to have fun safely and learn about the ocean plus it's inhabitants.
In the summer months the rock pools are really clear, if you sit quietly around one you will see so much going on. Shrimps appear and if you put your hands in gently, they will explore your fingers, crabs will walk past, blenny's will swim out, you may see a hermit crab, winkles will start to move and a lot more too. It's only by sitting quiet and studying, that you get to see the best bits of the rock pools.
Mermaids Pool is a very big rock pool down the old sewer pipe then across the rocks to the South as shown on the map above. This is a very big rock pool usually with big fish swimming in it. We haven't found a Mermaid yet but still looking!
It's a beautiful area plus always quieter. Please be aware of the tide times and make sure you are back 3 hours before high water.
Mermaids pool can be seen beside. This photo was taken from the Look out on Kipling Tors and looks down onto Mermaids Pool. Look at all of these magical big rock pools to explore?
Last, but not least, be careful of this wonderful wildlife, find it, observe and protect it. Turn over rocks carefully and place them back, handle animals gently then return everything.
Try not to use nets, these hurt the wildlife and habitat they need to survive. Try not to keep marine animals in buckets for too long, observe them then put them back unharmed.
By learning how to handle/observe marine life you learn how to protect it.
If you find any washed-up rubbish, give Mother Nature a helping hand and take it home then put it in the bin. Love where we live.
@visitwestwardho Meet the locals…First is the Edible Crab, beautiful colour, powerful and can be found in the rock pools here. https://www.visitwestwardho.co.uk/rock-pooling #visitwestwardho #ediblecrab #aonb #rockpools #northdevoncoast ♬ Crab Rave - Noisestorm