With half-term on the horizon, finding things to keep you and the tribe occupied is top priority and a day by the sea is certainly first on our list. There’s lots you can do by the ocean whatever the weather. It’s not all about relaxing on the beach – although that is one of our favourite things to do! If you’re looking a bit of inspiration, we’ve got you covered. Here are some things to do by the sea in half-term.
1. A day at the beach
It may be autumn, but that doesn’t stop us settling down on one of our extra-large luxurious beach towels with a good book for a few hours. Let the children bury each other in the sand, grab a bucket and spade to build castles and explore rock pools for the day – it really is a perfect way to spend half term. Here are our top 5 UK beaches to give you some inspiration. They range from tranquil sands in Scotland to bustling beaches in popular seaside towns, so there’s something for all tastes.
2. Surfing
If you’d like to be a little more active, why not don a wetsuit and spend a few hours surfing the waves. Even as a beginner, this activity is perfect entertainment for any age. Body boards are ideal for younger children to give them a taste of the joy that surfing can bring. Make sure you pack your Bridie & Bert long-hooded swimsuit cover up to keep warm afterwards while you have your fish and chips.
3. A coastal boat trip
There are plenty of opportunities in most coastal towns to book yourself onto a boat trip. Whether you’re on your own or looking for something to do as a family, a trip out onto the ocean for an hour or so to breathe in that sea air can do wonders for the mind. You could take a simple trip around the coastline or embark on a sea safari to see if you can spot seals, dolphins and porpoises, a popular activity in Padstow, Cornwall.
4. Cold water swimming
Now we promise we’ve not gone mad – cold water swimming is an incredible experience. Perfect for all weathers, not only does it boast a wealth of health benefits for the body and mind, it’s a bonding experience like no other. You’ll feel so good afterwards that you won’t mind the cold, especially with one of our towelling tunics or bathing suit cover ups to keep you cosy. If you still need a little more convincing, take a look at our previous post; 10 reasons why swimming in cold water is good for you.
5. Crab fishing
We’ve lost count of the amount of times over the years that we’ve headed to the harbour and gone crab fishing, both when we were younger and with our own children. We would always put them back afterwards, but the excitement of lifting up the line to find a crab waving hello was all the entertainment we needed. Of course, Cornwall is packed with excellent crab fishing spots, but you’ll find most harbours a great place for this activity.
This is certainly not an exhaustive list – we just love any excuse to spend time by the sea. If you have any other ideas of things to do by the sea in half-term, feel free to share them with us.
