Discover The Mermaid's Cave
Wade through the shallow water into Mermaid's Cave, where the roof comes alive with beautiful natural colours. It's one of the adventure's favourite stops and always feels a little bit magical.
Rockpool Adventures
Get wet, lift rocks, explore hidden pools and discover the incredible creatures living along the Cornish coast with Big F-T.
Book an AdventureTolcarne Beach
Newquay
2–2½ hours
Rockpool adventure
£20
Per child
FREE
Accompanying adults
What Happens on a Rockpool Adventure?
Meet Big F-T
The adventure begins on Tolcarne Beach, where everyone meets and registers. Big F-T gives the group a short introduction explaining what to expect, along with important beach and rockpool safety information.
Explore the Rockpools
Then it's time to explore. The group spends approximately 2–2½ hours exploring the rockpools, discovering the creatures living around Tolcarne and learning about the wildlife with Big F-T.
Along the way, adventures may take in two of Tolcarne's most exciting caves. Which caves you visit — and in what order — can depend on the session and conditions on the day.
Explore a Real Smugglers' Cave
And because ordinary rockpooling isn't quite enough for Big F-T, there's a real smugglers' cave to explore too. Enter from one beach, follow the cave through the rock and emerge onto another.
Harlyn's Chair
Big F-T's specialist Hippocampe beach wheelchair has a very special story behind it.
After the Newquay community rallied to help make the rockpools accessible to a child who needed extra support — including help from The Wave Project — Karl began raising funds for a chair of his own.
Then Jen, whose daughter Harlyn sadly passed away, offered to donate Harlyn's Hippocampe chair so that other children could continue to experience the beach, the sea and the rockpools she loved so much.
The chair now lives with Big F-T as Harlyn's Chair, helping children who might otherwise struggle to reach the shoreline become part of the adventure.
Big F-T also runs dedicated free sessions for children who need this support, with help from the community making those sessions possible.
Learn more about Harlyn's story and Harlyn's Heroes →Come Ready to Get Wet
This is a hands-on coastal adventure — getting wet is part of the fun. Children are advised to wear a wetsuit and sea shoes (or other suitable rockpool footwear).
- Wetsuit — advised for children
- Sea shoes — or suitable rockpool footwear
- Towel — for afterwards
- Change of clothes — a complete set for after the adventure
Good to Know
How long is it?
Approximately 2–2½ hours exploring the rockpools.
Do children need to be able to swim?
No. Children do not need to be able to swim to take part.
Is there a minimum age?
No minimum age. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
What if the weather is bad?
Poor weather does not necessarily mean the adventure will be cancelled. Sessions only need to be cancelled when conditions are considered unsafe. If an adventure cannot safely go ahead, participants will be contacted beforehand.
Where do we meet?
Meet Big F-T outside the first blue day hut on Tolcarne Beach. When you first walk down onto the beach, the blue day huts are to the right.
Adventure Options
Public Adventures
£20
per child
Accompanying adults FREE
Maximum 15 children
Private Adventures
£250
per session
Minimum 1 child / maximum 15 children
Birthday Adventures
2–2½ hours
Contact Big F-T to discuss birthday packages.
Fuel Your Adventure
Pre-order delicious food and drinks for your group at The Wedge Cafe on Tolcarne Beach (£10 per head). Food is supplied and ordered through The Wedge Cafe, not Big F-T. Contact Caroline for details: cazeaves3@gmail.com
What Will We Find?
That's part of the adventure. Every tide is different and you never quite know who's hiding beneath the rocks.
Explore Rockpool Life →Ready to Explore?
£20 per child
Accompanying adults FREE
2–2½ hours
Questions before booking?
07928 597817
Bigftshack@outlook.comTolcarne Beach, Narrowcliff, Newquay TR7 2QN