Short answer: Mousehole harbour wall is the classic crabbing spot in this corner of Cornwall — small, sheltered and genuinely good. Long Rock is the rock pooling alternative at low tide.
West Cornwall has some genuinely good crabbing, and Penzance is well placed for it.
A few minutes down the coast, and the classic spot — a small sheltered harbour with a wall built for exactly this. Popular with families, and rightly so.
Closer, and workable, though it's a working harbour with ferry traffic to the Isles of Scilly, so pick your spot away from the operational areas.
At low tide the rocks here hold good pools. A different activity to line crabbing and often more rewarding for younger children.
Bacon on string, a drop net rather than a hooked line, and patience. Lower slowly, let it settle, and lift steadily.
Mid-tide for harbour crabbing. For rock pools, one to two hours after high water on a falling tide.
Fresh sea water in the bucket, kept in shade, and everything returned exactly where it came from.
Mousehole's own parking is very limited and its streets are extremely narrow. Most people park at the top and walk down, or take the bus from Penzance — which is genuinely the easier option in summer.
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