Where to Go Crabbing in the UK Must-Visit Spots in 2025

Crabbing is a brilliant and affordable way to spend time with family or friends by the seaside. Whether you’re a seasoned crabber or trying it for the first time, crabbing is a fun and engaging activity that lets you experience the UK’s stunning coastline up close.

In this guide, we’ll take you through some of the best crabbing spots across the UK and share tips on what you need for a successful crabbing expedition. From the south coast to the north coast, the UK offers plenty of fantastic places to catch crabs.

Key Takeaways

• Best Crabbing Spots in the UK: Discover the top locations across the UK’s coast for crabbing, including the south coast, east coast, west coast, and north coast.
• Essential Crabbing Gear: Learn what equipment you’ll need, like crab lines, bait, and buckets to make your crabbing day easy and fun.
• When is the Best Time to Go Crabbing? Timing is everything! Find out why high tide and the summer months are the best times to go crabbing for maximum success.

What is Crabbing?

Crabbing is a coastal activity where people use a crab line to catch crabs in shallow areas near harbours, piers, or beaches. The process is simple: attach some bait to your line, drop it into the water, and wait for a shore crab or edible crab to grab hold. It’s not just for kids – adults love the quirky antics of these little creatures, especially when they spot a few happy crabs munching on the bait.

Crabbing is one of the best ways to get up close to marine life without needing a boat or expensive gear. Plus, crabs are easily found around the UK’s coastline, especially on the south coast, where crabbing opportunities are plenty.

What Do You Need for Crabbing?

Before heading out, make sure you have all the essentials for a smooth crabbing trip. Here’s a quick list of the basic crabbing gear:

Item	Description
Crab line	A line with a weight to hold bait, available in local shops near most beaches.
Net	To carefully scoop the crabs out of the water.
Bucket	A small container filled with sea water to hold your crabs before releasing them.
Bait	Crabs love bacon, fish heads, and scraps of oily fish.
Fishing line	Optional but useful for catching crabs in deeper water.

What is the Best Bait for Crabbing?

Choosing the right bait is key to catching crabs. Crabs are attracted to strong-smelling food, so opt for something like bacon, raw chicken, or fish heads. You’ll often find crabs munching on half-eaten bait, making it even more effective after it’s been nibbled a bit.

Bait Option	Why It Works
Bacon	Its strong smell draws crabs in quickly.
Fish heads	Crabs love the scent of fish heads, making them an excellent bait choice.
Raw chicken	Particularly the neck, raw chicken is a favourite for many crabbers.
Oily fish	The strong scent of mackerel or other oily fish lingers, making it great for crabbing.

When is the Best Time to Go Crabbing?

The best time to go crabbing is during high tide, when the water is moving and the crabs are more active. Arriving just before high tide gives you the best chance to catch crabs as the water level rises. Crabbing in summer is also ideal, as crabs are more active in warmer waters. In winter, they tend to burrow, making them harder to catch.

Best Places to Go Crabbing in the UK

The UK is home to many excellent crabbing spots along its coasts, whether you’re looking for family-friendly locations or a quiet stretch of beach. Let’s break down some of the best crabbing spots on each coast of the UK.

Crabbing in Cornwall

Cornwall is famous for its beautiful beaches and rich marine life, making it a prime location for crabbing. Here are some of the top spots:

Padstow Harbour

Padstow’s picturesque harbour is a bustling spot for crabbing. It’s perfect for families, as the waters are full of shore crabs, and you’ll find plenty of spots along the harbour wall to drop your crab line.

St Ives

St Ives is another crabbing haven, with its harbour walls and sandy beach offering ideal conditions for catching crabs. It’s an excellent place to spend an afternoon by the sea while waiting for your bucket to fill with a few happy crabs.

Crabbing in Devon

Devon’s coastline is equally popular for crabbing, with its quiet coves and busy harbours offering great opportunities for the whole family.

Brixham Harbour

Brixham is one of Devon’s best-known fishing towns, and its harbour is a favourite spot for catching crabs. With stunning views and a welcoming atmosphere, it’s a fantastic place for crabbers of all ages.

Dartmouth

Dartmouth offers prime crabbing along its historic harbour wall. You’ll often spot eager crabbers along the quayside, waiting for their crab line to bring in some lively catches.

Crabbing in Dorset

Dorset is a crabbing paradise with its dramatic coastline and charming seaside towns. These spots are not to be missed:

Mudeford Quay

Mudeford Quay is one of the most popular crabbing spots in Dorset. Its sheltered waters are perfect for beginners and families, with plenty of crabs hiding along the quay.

Swanage Pier

Swanage is known for its shallow waters, making it ideal for families who want a safe and fun crabbing experience. The pier offers plenty of room to drop your line and see what you can catch.

Crabbing in Essex

Essex boasts plenty of crabbing locations along its rivers and estuaries. These are the top places to go:

Walton-on-the-Naze

Walton-on-the-Naze is a fantastic spot for crabbing opportunities along the pier. With lots of crabs to catch and plenty of room to set up your gear, it’s a great place for a day out.

Promenade Park, Maldon

Promenade Park in Maldon, located along the River Blackwater, is another ideal spot. Its extensive quayside offers a peaceful environment to set up your crabbing equipment and wait for a bite.

Crabbing in Kent

Kent’s long coastline offers numerous excellent crabbing locations, from busy harbours to quiet bays.

Whitstable Harbour

Whitstable Harbour is a charming location with its vibrant atmosphere and harbour walls perfect for crabbing. Known for its oysters, Whitstable is also home to some great shore crab action.

Herne Bay Pier

Herne Bay’s pier is a popular crabbing destination for families. There are plenty of spots along the pier to cast your fishing line and enjoy the surrounding views while waiting for the crabs to bite.

Crabbing in Lancashire

For those up north, Lancashire offers some wonderful spots for crabbing, whether you’re by the seaside or an estuary.

Fleetwood Marsh

Fleetwood Marsh is a quiet and scenic spot perfect for a day of crabbing. The calm waters are home to plenty of shore crabs, making it a relaxing destination for a family trip.

Morecambe Bay

Morecambe Bay’s expansive tidal flats are ideal for crabbing, especially during low tide when the crabs come out to forage. The bay offers stunning views and plenty of room to find your suitable spot.

Crabbing in Norfolk

Norfolk’s coastline is renowned for crabbing, especially for catching the famous Cromer crab.

Cromer Pier

Cromer is a top location for crabbing, and its pier is one of the best places to catch edible crabs. This charming seaside town is perfect for families looking to enjoy a day of crabbing, with plenty of facilities nearby.

Crabbing in Suffolk

Suffolk’s coastal areas provide some of the best spots for crabbing, especially along the rivers and estuaries.

Walberswick

Walberswick is known for its annual crabbing championships, making it one of the most popular crabbing destinations in the UK. The quay and riverbank are great places to catch crabs while enjoying the peaceful surroundings.

Southwold

Just across the River Blyth from Walberswick, Southwold offers another fantastic location. The town’s pier and shingle beach are perfect for a day of crabbing and exploring the coastline.

Crabbing in Somerset

Somerset might be best known for its stunning countryside, but its coastline also provides excellent crabbing spots.

Minehead Harbour

Minehead Harbour is a top destination for crabbing in Somerset. The harbour’s calm waters and bustling pier make it an ideal spot for families to set up their crab lines and wait for a catch.

Watchet

The historic town of Watchet is another great location for crabbing, with its harbour walls and quiet surroundings offering a peaceful crabbing experience.

Crabbing in Wales

Wales is packed with fantastic crabbing locations, offering everything from bustling harbours to quiet coastal retreats.

Conwy Harbour

Conwy Harbour is a top spot for crabbing in Wales, with its scenic views and calm waters making it ideal for a family day out. The harbour walls provide plenty of room for crabbers to enjoy the day.

Tenby Harbour

Tenby’s picturesque harbour walls are a great location to set up your crabbing gear. With its colourful buildings and shallow waters, Tenby offers a perfect crabbing experience for families and individuals alike.

Crabbing in West Sussex

West Sussex has several great crabbing spots along its coast, offering family-friendly locations with plenty of marine life.

Littlehampton

Littlehampton’s bustling harbour is a fantastic place for crabbing, with lots of space to drop your crab line. The nearby sandy beach also makes it a perfect spot for a family day out.

Bosham Quay

Bosham Quay is a quiet and scenic location for crabbing, with its rich marine life and beautiful surroundings providing a peaceful crabbing experience.

Crabbing in Yorkshire

Yorkshire offers some of the UK’s most dramatic coastal crabbing locations, with its rugged cliffs and charming fishing villages.

Whitby Harbour

Whitby is not only famous for its Abbey but also for its crabbing opportunities. The harbour walls and nearby piers are great for catching crabs, and the town offers plenty of activities to enjoy after a day of crabbing.

Flamborough Head

The rocky shoreline at Flamborough Head is an excellent spot for crabbing, with plenty of shallow water rock pools to explore. It’s a fantastic location for families who want to combine crabbing with rock pooling.

How to Hold and Release Crabs Safely

Once you’ve caught a crab, it’s important to handle it carefully to avoid injury – both to you and the crab. Use one finger to gently hold it underneath its shell, ensuring you avoid its claws. When you’re ready to release, place the crab back in the water as gently as possible. Watching your happy crabs munching away at your bait before letting them go is part of the fun!

Overall

Crabbing is a fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors with family or friends, offering both the thrill of the catch and the beauty of the UK’s coastline. With the right crabbing equipment, a bit of patience, and knowledge of the best crabbing spots, you’re all set for a memorable day out. Always remember to be mindful of the crabs and the environment, releasing your catch gently and keeping the coast clean.

FAQs

What is the best bait for crabbing?

The best bait for crabbing includes bacon, fish heads, and raw chicken. Crabs are drawn to strong-smelling food, so any of these options should work well.

When is the best time to go crabbing?

The best time to go crabbing is around high tide when crabs are more active, especially during the summer months.

Can you catch crabs at low tide?

Yes, but it may be more difficult as crabs tend to hide during low tide. High tide offers a better chance for catching them.

Do I need special equipment for crabbing?

No, you don’t need expensive gear. A simple crab line, bait, and a bucket are all you need for a successful crabbing trip.

Where are the best places to go crabbing in the UK?

Top crabbing spots include Mudeford Quay in Dorset, Whitby Harbour in Yorkshire, and St Ives in Cornwall, among many others.

Is crabbing safe for kids?

Yes, crabbing is a family-friendly activity. Just make sure kids are supervised and understand how to handle crabs carefully.

Can I use a fishing rod for crabbing?

While you can use a fishing line, a simple crab line is usually more effective for crabbing in shallow waters.

What type of crabs can you catch in the UK?

You can catch various species, including shore crabs and edible crabs, along the UK’s coastline.

Do crabs bite?

Crabs don’t bite, but they can pinch with their claws if not handled properly. Always hold them carefully from underneath.

How do I release crabs safely?

To release a crab, hold it gently by the shell, ensuring its claws are secure, and lower it back into the water slowly to avoid harming it.