Coastal

A good Cornish day by the sea hangs on having the right bits to hand when the tide's right and the weather plays along. We're a small, family-run shop. Everything here is gear we'd happily pack for our own children, not a wall of products you have to wade through. After a first crabbing line, a life jacket that actually fits, or a coast path map? This is the sensible place to begin.

Match the kit to the day ahead

Start with what the day looks like. For a lazy potter on the quay, our crabbing kits come with bucket, line and net, and the hook-free ones suit little hands best. Heading onto the water in a kayak or dinghy? Then life jackets & buoyancy aids come first, and there's a separate coastal safety equipment selection for lights and flotation. Life jackets are sized by body weight, not age, so check the kilos on the label and fit one snugly before anyone goes near the water.

Know the shore before you set off

Knowing where to go matters as much as what you carry, especially with little ones along. Our coastal safety advice covers tides, getting cut off on the rocks, and telling someone your plans before you leave. Worth a read before a first outing with children, and a quick refresher even if you've done it for years. When you're picking a beach or a stretch of shore, browse the places we love across Cornwall's coastlines for ideas. Then pack the kit and go and enjoy it.