Cornwall's mix of coastline, moorland and ancient woodland makes it one of the richest counties in England for wildlife. Grey seals haul out on quiet coves, the once-vanished Cornish chough has returned to nest on clifftops, and warm Atlantic currents bring basking sharks and dolphins close to shore each summer.
Whether you're planning a day around a nature reserve, hoping to tick off a particular species, or simply want to know where to point your binoculars, this guide covers Cornwall's best RSPB and Cornwall Wildlife Trust reserves, plus the most reliable places to see some of the county's best-loved wildlife.
Watching Wildlife Responsibly
Seals, seabirds and other wildlife can be seriously disturbed by visitors getting too close, especially during pupping and breeding seasons. Always watch from a distance using binoculars, keep dogs on leads near nesting birds and haul-out sites, and follow any local signage or advice from reserve wardens.
Nature Reserves
Hayle Estuary
The most south-westerly estuary in the UK, with tidal pools, saltmarsh and mudflats around the town of Hayle. Home to a wide variety of wetland birds, with the South West Coast Path running around the reserve and cafes just across the road in town.
Visit RSPB pageMarazion Marsh
Cornwall's largest reedbed, in the shadow of St Michael's Mount near Penzance, and the most southerly RSPB reserve in the UK. Famous for its bitterns – the reedbed is actively managed for the species, and the reserve holds Special Protection Area status largely because of them – alongside over 250 other recorded bird species. From October to December watch for spectacular starling murmurations at dusk. No dedicated car park, so a nearby paid car park is needed.
Visit RSPB pageCabilla & Redrice Woods
One of the finest ancient woodlands in Cornwall, near Bodmin, with veteran oaks up to 400 years old alongside a tributary of the River Fowey. Home to six species of bat, dormice, and roe and red deer, with bluebells carpeting the woodland floor each spring.
Visit Trust pageLooe Island
Cornwall's only marine nature reserve, a mile off the coast at Looe. Accessible only by official Cornwall Wildlife Trust boat trips from Easter to September, with grey seals, the county's largest breeding colony of great black-backed gulls, and the ruins of a medieval chapel.
Visit Trust pageUpton Towans
Coastal sand dunes between Hayle and Godrevy, on the site of a former Victorian dynamite works. One of the best places in the country to see the rare silver-studded blue butterfly, best spotted from mid-June to mid-July, alongside pyramidal orchids and skylarks.
Visit Trust pageGolitha Falls
A series of waterfalls on the River Fowey within ancient oak woodland on Bodmin Moor, managed by Natural England. One of Cornwall's richest sites for mosses and lichens, and home to otters, dormice and several species of bat, including the lesser horseshoe.
More informationTamar Estuary
Extensive saltmarsh and mudflats on the western edge of the River Tamar near Saltash, part of the internationally important Tamar Estuaries Special Protection Area. A rewarding site for waders and wildfowl, especially in autumn and winter, with resident heron, little egret, shelduck and oystercatcher, plus reedbeds that attract roosting starlings, with the chance of a murmuration on winter evenings. Viewable from Cargreen, the sea wall at Landulph, or the public hide at China Fleet Country Club overlooking Kingsmill Lake.
Visit Trust pageCornwall Wildlife Trust manages over 50 nature reserves across the county – the reserves above are a starting point rather than a complete list.
Visiting Looe Island
Looe Island can only be visited as part of an official trip – landing independently by boat, kayak or on foot is not permitted, to protect its sensitive habitats. Trips run from Easter to September, weather and tide permitting, via Looe Sea Safari from the pontoon in East Looe. The 15–20 minute crossing is followed by a warden-guided walk, with around two hours to explore; a landing fee (payable to Cornwall Wildlife Trust) applies on top of the boat fare.
Best Places to See Certain Species
Mutton Cove, Godrevy
One of the most reliable wild seal-watching spots in southern Britain. A colony of Atlantic grey seals hauls out on the sand beneath Godrevy Head throughout the year, watched from the clifftop path above without disturbing them. Numbers build through pupping season from September to November. Park at the National Trust car park at Godrevy Point.
Buckator, near Boscastle
The largest seal colony on the north Cornwall coast, on the South West Coast Path between Boscastle and Crackington Haven (with Bude a little further north). Numbers peak in winter and early spring. Seals are visible from a bench on the clifftop path overlooking the bay, though the best view is from the top of the hedge just behind it. A smaller haul-out, known as Seals Hole, lies a little further along near Fire Beacon Point.
Lizard Point
Choughs, Cornwall's red-billed, red-legged national emblem, disappeared from the county for 50 years before returning to breed at Lizard Point in 2001. It remains the most reliable place to see them, along with nearby Kynance Cove. Listen for their distinctive "chee-ow" call, and look out for the National Trust's seasonal Wildlife Watchpoint.
Land's End & Penzance Boat Trips
The world's second-largest fish visits Cornish waters from April to October, with numbers peaking from mid-May to July as they follow plankton blooms along the coast. Land's End and Lizard Point offer a chance of shore sightings on calm, sunny days, while boat trips from Penzance, St Ives and Newquay offer the best odds.
St Ives Bay & Godrevy Point
Common and bottlenose dolphins are frequently spotted in St Ives Bay, with harbour porpoises and occasional Risso's dolphins also recorded. Godrevy Point and St Ives Island are good vantage points, and sightings are most likely from late spring through autumn (May to September) in calm conditions.
Cheesewring Quarry, Minions
Britain's largest crow nests on the old granite quarry faces just below the Cheesewring rock formation, near Minions on Bodmin Moor. Look and listen for their heavy bill, shaggy throat feathers and deep "cronk" call, often seen tumbling and rolling in flight over the quarry. Peregrine falcons have also been recorded nesting on the quarry face, so some climbing routes carry seasonal restrictions in spring – a good reason to bring binoculars rather than approach too closely.
Marazion Marsh
Cornwall's largest reedbed is managed specifically for the Eurasian bittern, and the reserve holds Special Protection Area status largely because of them. This shy, superbly camouflaged heron is notoriously hard to spot in the reeds, but is most likely to be seen in flight, moving between fishing spots, particularly in winter. Patience and a still viewing spot pay off.
Guaranteed close-up seal encounters
For a guaranteed sighting rather than a wild spot, the Cornish Seal Sanctuary at Gweek, near Helston, is a working seal rescue and rehabilitation charity open to visitors, caring for rescued pups and seals unable to return to the wild.
Wildlife Tours & Boat Safaris
For a closer look at Cornwall's marine wildlife than the shore allows, several established boat operators run wildlife-watching trips from harbours around the county. Sightings are never guaranteed, but all of these are genuine, currently-operating local businesses with a long track record.
Marine Discovery Penzance
Running continuously since 2005, Marine Discovery is the UK's only sail-powered wildlife safari, aboard the catamaran Shearwater II. Trips of 2–5 hours look for grey seals, dolphins, porpoises, basking sharks and seabirds off West Cornwall, with scientific data collected on every trip. Winner of Responsible Whale and Dolphin Watch Operator of the Year.
Visit websitePadstow Sealife Safaris
A locally-owned operator running RIB safaris from Padstow harbour since 2009, with trips ranging from a 1-hour seal safari to a 3-hour explorer trip. Seals are seen on the large majority of trips, and a dedicated puffin safari runs to nearby "Puffin Island" from mid-April to late July.
Visit websiteLooe Sea Safari
RIB trips from Looe harbour ranging from a 20-minute taster to a 2-hour Eddystone Lighthouse safari, looking out for seals around Looe Island, dolphins, bluefin tuna and seabirds. Also the official boat operator for Cornwall Wildlife Trust's Looe Island nature reserve trips.
Visit websiteNewquay Sea Safaris & Fishing
Multi-award-winning operator running the "Atlantic Diver" from Newquay harbour, with a popular 2-hour Seal Cove Safari plus private-charter snorkel trips looking for dolphins, sunfish and basking sharks. Basking shark and blue shark encounters run on request when sightings allow – call ahead to check availability.
Visit websiteAll trips are weather and tide dependent, and wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed. Prices, schedules and availability change regularly – please check directly with the operator and book in advance, especially in peak season.
Wildlife Watching Locations on the Map
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Listings are provided as a guide only. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed and depend on season, weather and tide – please check with reserves and boat operators directly before visiting.