Join family Reid for a marine discovery like no other as we discover more about this rockpooling family of five.

After moving to St. Mary’s 4.5 years ago, we soon discovered our love of rockpooling - mainly thanks to Orkney who became hooked pretty instantly. Since then we are out on most low tides and together as a family find lots of exciting marine life. Both Scott and I come from wildlife backgrounds with my main interest being marine biology so it was the perfect fit for us all.

Four years later, Scilly Rockpool Safaris was born and it has been just incredible. We have met so many amazing people who all share the same interest in wildlife as us and we cannot wait to continue this fun adventure!

What's so special about rockpooling on Scilly?

The thing we love most about rockpooling, is not knowing what we are going to find! We could find the normal, everyday stuff that we have become used to seeing (which is always still exciting, how could anyone get bored of finding starfish?!). But, every now and then we come across an absolute gem, a species that we have never seen before and has us all shrieking with excitement, the shrieking possibly is just me, but that feeling never gets old!

Sometimes it is a species we know, other times it is something we have to look up for us to be able to positively identify it.

Here are some of our rockpooling highlights so far – and who knows you may be on one of our safaris when we find our next new discovery.

Here we share their top five best rockpooling finds:

Five: Common Starfish

Despite its name, common starfish are not common around the islands. We have only found them a handful of times, so when we do see one it is always an exciting moment. 

Four: Candy Striped Flatworm

We have been lucky enough to see these beautiful flatworms twice now. The second time Orkney found it and Scott ran from work to get a glimpse of it as it was the first one he had seen! They are amazing creatures to see, unbelievably delicate and mesmerizing to watch.

Three: Orange-clubbed Sea Slug

We love nudes (not that type!). Nudibranchs which are sea slugs are our favourite thing to find. Out of the water they don’t look like much, but under the water…oh my goodness they are just glorious! Scott found two yellow clubbed sea slugs on one of our safaris and it was a magical moment!

Two: Spiny Squat Lobster

We have only ever found one spiny squat lobster, and it was a juvenile. They are so colourful and are normally more of a deep-water species so it was extra special to find one in a rockpool.

One: White Sparkled Facelina

Another nudibranch! For me, this is the most memorable moment of our rockpooling adventures so far. We were out on a safari and I turned a rock and looked down and saw something on a piece of kelp. It was minute, it didn’t look like much but I knew it was a nudi! I screamed and cried and Orkney and Scott ran over to see it. We put it in to one of our shallow trays and watched it in all its glory. This little sea slug, under 1cm long sparkly and pink. It was the BEST find for us all and a moment that we will always remember.

Whether you're with a group, adult only sessions or with the kids - these fun, friendly outings are informative and wondrous in equal measure, and help to explore our glorious isles through the eyes of experts.

Date for your diary!

After popular demand we are collaborating with Scilly Ceramics for another day of discovery and creativity. Start your day at ‘The Pottery’ on the Garrison where Libbi will show you how to glaze your very own ceramic starfish - be as creative as you like and try new techniques, or keep it simple and realistic - the world is your oyster!

Then amble down to Porthcressa Beach, taking in the breathtaking views along the way where you will be welcomed with a freshly baked pasty from Hugh Street Cafe and an ice cold drink. Sit back, relax and unwind. 

Fuelled and ready to go we will take you out on a rockpool safari; 90 minutes of discovering the intertidal zone and all its amazing inhabitants. Starfish, anemones, crabs and much more. Lose yourself in the wild and finish your day with memories that will last a lifetime, plus your very own starfish keepsake