Wildlife spotting on a SUP
The still blue waters, secluded coves and craggy outcrops along from the Bay host an ecosystem full of surprises – best spotted standing a few feet above the surface…
![Three people standup paddleboarding on the water at Watergate Bay](/media/p0hbupwh/wavehunters-standup-paddleboarding.jpg?width=338&height=0&quality=70&rnd=133110827222130000)
Spotting dolphins
For a chance at spotting a dolphin pod or gazing at wheeling guillemots, your best bet is to take a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) beyond the reaches of the beach. On a scale from (almost) dead cert (1) to rare sighting (6), here’s what to watch out for round the shores of Watergate Bay, however you choose to explore…
1. Sea anemone
Amongst the rockpools, dark red sea anemones hide their tentacles when the tide comes in. Look for mysterious gelatinous blobs, that release their wiggling fronds when covered back up by the sea.
![Sea anemone illustration by Hannah Bailey](/media/wmkd1fgy/hannah-bailey-sea-anenome-marine-life.jpg?width=338&height=0&quality=70&rnd=133110831741430000)
Illustration by Hannah Bailey
![Hannah Bailey Illustration - Guillemots](/media/zqjgxw5t/hannah-bailey-guillemots-marine-life.jpg?width=338&height=0&quality=70&rnd=133110832988330000)
Illustration by Hannah Bailey
2. Guillemot
The guillemot lives its life at sea, coming in to land to nest. Look out for a colony, clinging to the cliffs. You’ll know they’re guillemots by their black and white feathers.
3. Mackerel
With their shimmering backs of green and blue stripes, a shoal of mackerel will glisten in the water. Look out for them as they dart beneath the surface in spring and summer.
![Mackerel illustration by Hannah Bailey](/media/ba1nhmgd/hannah-bailey-mackerel-marine-life.jpg?width=338&height=0&quality=70&rnd=133110947457870000)
Illustration by Hannah Bailey
![Spider crab illustration by Hannah Bailey](/media/tlqfgaus/hannah-bailey-spider-crab-illustration-marine-life.jpg?width=338&height=0&quality=70&rnd=133110950500370000)
Illustration by Hannah Bailey
4. Spider crabs
With a claw span of up to 80cm and a life span of up to 40 years, spider crabs lurk on the seabed. You’ll know them by their size, long limbs and reddish colouring.
5. Sunfish
A bizarre-looking beauty that, if lucky, you might see ‘sunbathing’ on its side at the sea’s surface. The sunfish comes to our waters in the summer and feasts on jellyfish. Look for its pointy fin and flat round body.
![Sunfish illustration by Hannah Bailey](/media/frnkppj2/hannah-bailey-sun-fish-marine-life-illustration.jpg?width=338&height=0&quality=70&rnd=133110952310070000)
Illustration by Hannah Bailey
![Dolphins by Hannah Bailey](/media/abygj5bb/hannah-bailey-dolphins-marine-life.jpg?width=338&height=0&quality=70&rnd=133110955426370000)
Illustration by Hanna Bailey
6. Pod of dolphins
The most magical sighting of all, SUP-ers around Watergate Bay have been known to paddle amongst a leaping pod of common dolphins. Sociable and inquisitive, you’ll find them in groups – look out for dancing fins amongst the waves.
Discover more
![Sup - Stand up paddleboarding - Water](/media/fsdhv4sv/sup-paddleboarders-water.jpg?width=342&height=192&quality=70&rnd=133192034179430000)
Read more
Learn more about the creatures just off our shores in Inspiring sea life and where to find it.
![Hannah Bailey Spider Crab Illustration Marine Life](/media/tlqfgaus/hannah-bailey-spider-crab-illustration-marine-life.jpg?width=342&height=192&quality=70&rnd=133110950500370000)
Meet Hannah Bailey
![Wavehunters Standup Paddleboarding Watergate Bay](/media/kf3buwmz/wavehunters-standup-paddleboarding-watergate-bay.jpg?width=342&height=192&quality=70&rnd=133110823767830000)
Learn to SUP
Book a private SUP lesson with Wavehunters, or hire kit.
![Double room - Window bath](/media/ss0chsa4/double-room-window-bath.jpg?width=342&height=192&quality=70&rnd=133077239543800000)
Book to stay
September and October usually bring the right conditions for standup paddleboarding.
![TOM WREN SWNS AOTB WATERGATE 165 (13)](/media/mxjdrivj/tom_wren_swns_aotb_watergate_165-13.jpg?width=342&height=192&quality=70&rnd=133658710234900000)
Round up: Arts on the Beach 2024
Making waves at Watergate Bay, the second year of our two-day free family festival drew...
![Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc Beach Loft View](/media/todj5iru/cloudy-bay-sauvignon-blanc-beach-loft-view.jpeg?width=342&height=192&quality=70&rnd=133646555516330000)
Meet Cloudy Bay
We caught up with Cloudy Bay to learn about their signature Sauvignon Blanc and its...
![Arts on the beach - stilt walkers](/media/ou4fukio/roaming-theatre-arts-on-the-beach.jpg?width=342&height=192&quality=70&rnd=133571465680430000)
Arts on the Beach 2024
Arts on the Beach is back for 2024, packed with some of last year’s favourites...
![Sea giant puppet (1)](/media/gh5jscqd/arts-on-the-beach-eko-the-puppet.jpg?width=342&height=192&quality=70&rnd=133396861698500000)
Meet Eko's creator, Johnny Autin
Meet the creator of Eko, a playful four-metre sea puppet set to roam the beach...
![Circo Rum Ba Ba The Whale. Inside 1](/media/hgumzoqu/circo-rum-ba-ba-the-whale-inside-1.jpg?width=342&height=192&quality=70&rnd=133571215805100000)
Line up for Arts on the Beach
A guide to our performances and workshops taking place over our Arts on the Beach...
![Mindfit Cornwall walk](/media/4ndffbsx/walking-3.jpg?width=342&height=192&quality=70&rnd=133558361921530000)
Walking for wellness
Find out how walking by the ocean, whether alone or side by side with a...