If you’re looking for something different to do with the kids this May half term, at weekends, or over the summer holidays, fishing is a brilliant way to get everyone outdoors and properly engaged. Along the shoreline at Stokes Bay, around the pontoons at Haslar Marina, or exploring the edges of Fort Gilkicker, you’ve got the perfect setting for a proper outdoor adventure. It’s about watching the tide roll in, spotting crabs darting about, discovering what’s happening beneath the surface, and feeling that burst of excitement when something bites.

At Stokes Bay and the wider shoreline around Portsmouth Harbour, you can legally fish from the shore for sea species without a rod licence so long as you’re in a permitted public area and not inside a restricted zone.

Start Easy: Stokes Bay

If you’re after a no-fuss introduction, Stokes Bay is the place to begin. There’s something instantly appealing about it with its wide, open shoreline, fresh sea air, with enough space for the kids to roam freely between moments of excitement. One minute you’re casting a line, the next you’re skimming stones or sitting back with chips in hand, fully embracing the seaside pace.

To make the most of it, keep things simple. A basic crabbing line or an inexpensive rod is all you need. Let the kids take the lead, get hands-on, and figure things out as they go.

Parking is straightforward along Stokes Bay Road, where several seafront car parks run the length of Stokes Bay, meaning you can park up and be on the beach within minutes. When it comes to food, a short drive along to Lee-on-the-Solent gives you classic fish and chips options right on the seafront, perfect for a takeaway eaten on a bench by the water. Ice cream is even easier, there are kiosks directly along Stokes Bay itself. Park, explore, fish a little, grab chips, then finish with ice cream by the sea.

Go Crabbing Instead: Haslar Marina

Crabbing is one of the simplest and most affordable ways to keep kids entertained by the water, and a great spot to do it is down at Haslar Marina

All you need is a basic line, a bit of bait, and a bucket. One minute it’s quiet, the next you’ve got crabs hanging on and suddenly the whole thing turns into a bit of seaside chaos that kids just instinctively love and get stuck into.

This activity works well because there’s no waiting around or complicated setup. It’s fast, interactive, and perfect for younger children who want to be part of the action rather than just watching from the side.

A bucket, a cheap crabbing line, and something as ordinary as bacon is enough to get things going. It’s a low cost, high energy activity.

At Haslar Marina, there’s a dedicated car park on-site, which is clearly signposted off Haslar Road.

For food, visit The Creek, a relaxed café-restaurant that serves everything from breakfasts and light bites to lunch and dinner, offering fantastic harbour views.

Add a Bit of Adventure: Fort Gilkicker

Built in the 19th century, Fort Gilkicker was designed to defend Portsmouth Harbour and the Solent. Today, it remains a striking piece of Victorian coastal defence engineering, and you can still feel that history in the fabric of the place.

For families, it works beautifully. Kids can climb, wander and turn every corner into their own adventure, while there’s still space nearby to fish or simply pause and take in the setting.

Fort Gilkicker is typically quiet compared to the busier coastal spots, so it’s the perfect spot to slow things down and enjoy a more relaxed pace.

 Make a Day of It: Lee-on-the-Solent Beach

Lee-on-the-Solent Beach is your all-rounder for a family day out by the coast. It has that classic seaside feel, where the day can shape itself as you go. You might start with a bit of fishing, drift into a swim, and round things off with something to eat along the seafront.

What makes it work is how effortless it feels. There’s no need for over-planning, just plenty of space to switch things up when attention spans inevitably move on.

There are a good mix of nearby places to grab food when hunger kicks in too.

Keep it simple on the kit front: a basic fishing or crabbing line, a bucket or container, a bit of bait (bacon will do the trick), plus snacks and a couple of layers for when the coastal breeze picks up, and you’ve got everything you need for the day.

Why it’s worth doing

Kids don’t need another soft play centre. They need space, fresh air, and something that doesn’t play out exactly the same way every time.

Fishing gives you that. It’s the quiet moments where nothing much is happening, followed by sudden bursts of excitement, then the kind of seaside chaos that only comes from a bucket, a line, and a bit of bait. It’s simple, a bit old-school, and totally cost-effective.

For bait and equipment why not visit Last Cast Saloon