This Saturday (28th September 2024) is a rare chance to walk over to Looe Island while the tide is extremely low. Zoe, who is our resident shepherd at Treworgey as well as doing all sorts of other things, from marketing to animal feeding sessions, did the walk last year and we asked her to tell us all about it.
Here's Zoe's report:
Its something I’ve wanted to do for a long time and I haven’t manged to make it work, but in 2023, I finally got my timings right.
Having never done ithe walk to Looe Island, I wasn’t sure what to expect. All I knew is what I had read: Arrive 1 hour before low tide and bring an old pair of shoes, there are sharp rocks to avoid. Expect to get wet.
I went with Nic from the office and her husband (also my cousin) Richard and the dogs. Richard runs fantastic boat trips in Looe, which I highly recommend on a clear day. As he goes round the island so often, he suggested we went a slightly different way to one the many other people went. We started at Hannafore beach in front of the Coastguard and walked along down the concrete-covered pipe. We walked about ¾ of the way down before turning towards the island. The path we chose proved to be a little better than some, as we looked over to see some people up to their shoulders in the water!
The tide doesn’t fully go out but it is walkable. I am 5’4 and I got up to waist deep, in some places. The sea was warm and so clear. We saw lots of fish and as well as Sea Anemoes and large starfish. I wasn't able to many photos, as unfortunately it was a bit far for Rabbit the dog to swim so I carried her most of the way. When we arrived at the island we couldn’t stay long as the tide wasn’t going to stay low for long. Walking back the water level was lower, and more manageable through the sea weed patches. All in all the walk took a little over 45 mins there and back.
Whilst its not possible to look around the island or stay very long its still worth the walk. The island is looked after by Cornwall Wildlife Trust, and they sometimes do guided walks of the island, which includes a boat to get you there and back. For more information on the island click here.
Walking to the island is not possible very often and some years not possible its all dependent on the tides being just right, so please don’t try this walk unless the correct tides are occuring. And make the most of it when they are!
