Rockpooling Tips

By Ntombizanele Mayiya, 8th August 2019

Rockpooling is a fun family activity! There are so many fascinating creatures for you to discover. Here are a few tips to help you get started.

Photo © SOSF Shark Education Centre

When to go:

It is very important to check for the tide times for your chosen beach. The best time to go is at low tide when the sea has receded and there are many more rock pools to investigate.

Photo © SOSF Shark Education Centre

Suitable clothes and useful equipment:

Wear a hat and apply sun lotion to your face and arms.
Wear shoes that can get wet, grip well on slippery rocks and protect your feet from sharp barnacles.
It can get cold so it’s a good idea to take a warm jacket.
Take a camera, magnifying glass, a snack and something to drink.

Safety on the rocks:

Always keep an eye on the waves washing onto the rocks – especially if you go close to the water.
Don’t run on the rocks because they can be very slippery.

Photo © SOSF Shark Education Centre

Animals in the Pools

Don’t take animals away from the shore because they will not last long in a bucket of seawater.
Observe the animals in their habitats rather than handle them unnecessarily.
If you do touch or pick up an animal, remember to be very gentle and aim to put it back in its ‘home spot’ – exactly where you found it.
Good places to find interesting creatures will be in cracks and under overhangs. If you turn a rock over, you may often find small animals sheltering on the underside.
Take your time when looking for animals in a rock pool. Many will be sheltering under seaweeds or are well camouflaged.
Common sea creatures you might find: Limpets, periwinkles, sea snails, mussels, sea urchins, sea stars, anemones, klipfish, barnacles and a crab or octopus if you are lucky. Rarer animals are fan worms, sea slugs and giant saddlebacks.

Here are some rockpool beaches you can visit to find amazing sea life: