A wooded tidal estuary on the Lizard Peninsula, with sheltered water popular for sailing, kayaking and paddleboarding. Small villages line the banks, along with oyster beds and a seasonal foot ferry across the river.
Perfect for a soak
Met Office inshore waters forecast
Settled — no significant storm signal in the next 35 days
Storm risk = % of ensemble members reaching gale force (39+ mph). ECMWF ENS days 8–15 · GEFS days 16–35 (lower confidence, right of the dashed line).
Thresholds from 90-day tide predictions. Spring tides occur near new and full moon when the tidal range exceeds the 90-day average.
Thick-lipped mullet hang around the moorings and pontoon all summer. Need dead-calm early mornings. Free-lined bread flake on the surface.
Rocky eastern shore near the village. Ballan and corkwing wrasse on float fished crab.
Muddy upper river marks. Fish small baits on ledger. January-March best.
Sandy patches near the moorings. Small hooks, light tackle. Dusk best.
Huge spider crab migration into the Helford in spring/early summer. Drop pots in 5-15m.
Min size: 90mm
V-notched lobsters must be returned
Berried (egg-bearing) females must be returned
From boat: max 2 per day (combined with crawfish)
From shore: unlimited (pots or hand gathering)
Methods: pots, hand gathering (no spearfishing)
Season: All year
Min size: 110mm
From boat: max 2 per day (combined with lobster)
From shore: unlimited
Methods: pots, hand gathering
Season: All year
Min size: 160mm
From boat: max 5 shellfish per day total (crab + lobster + crawfish + spider crab)
From shore: unlimited
Methods: pots, hand gathering
Season: All year
Min size: 130mm
From boat: max 5 shellfish per day total
From shore: unlimited
Methods: pots, hand gathering
Season: All year
Min size: 100mm
Hand diving only (no aqualung/scuba for recreational)
From boat: max 5 shellfish per day total
From shore: unlimited
Methods: hand diving (free dive only)
Season: All year
Voluntary code of practice for winkle picking applies
Methods: hand gathering
Season: All year