The United Kingdom has thousands of miles of coastline, most of which is easily accessible from the major population centers. But most travelers to the U.K. don’t take advantage of this. They say that the water is cold and muddy, that there are few attractive shorelines, and that the prime spots near London get overcrowded and unappealing come summertime.
While we won’t deny that the U.K. isn’t the best place to go diving in Europe, or the ideal place for a beach vacation – you’re going to have a hard time finding the fine sands and warm waters of the Caribbean, for example – the country is severely overlooked when it comes to one water activity where the frequent use of wetsuits renders cold temperatures more of a non-issue: snorkeling.
The U.K.’s coastline is littered with great snorkeling sites, so for this article we’ll just focus on the prime ones in one particular region – South West England.
Located about a four hour drive from London, South West England is known as the home of Stonehenge and for having an impressive coastline. It also is a great place to snorkel.
Here are some of its top snorkeling locations:
1. Drawna Rocks, Cornwall
There is no dearth of marine life at Drawna Rocks, which lies to the north of Porthkerris Cove.
The spot is marked by a collection of rocks that break the water’s surface, which makes the snorkeling spot an easy one to find.
Snorkelers can check out the brightly colored seaweed a range of marine animals, including crabs, starfish, sea urchins, and many fish species.
2. Prussia Cove, Cornwall
Prussia Cove consists of three small coves that provide much to explore.
The diving is easy, the water is shallow, and swarms of fish can usually be spotted swimming among the rocks. The rocky beach is a popular point from which to spot jellyfish, which often swim around the area in large groups.
The cove accessible only by foot, but the snorkeling there is well worth the slight extra effort. If you like outdoor sports you might like to view our tips for the best cycling destinations in Cornwall.
3. Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset
Part of the Jurassic Coast’s Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve, Kimmeridge Bay is a calm snorkeling site with an established trail for snorkelers to follow.
Along the trail you can see weeds, kelp, and several fish, including wrasse and blennies. The bay is open only during the summer months.
Check out top things to do in Bournemouth – one of the best destinations to visit nearby.
4. Stair Hole, Lulworth Cove, Dorset
This snorkeling spot is slightly trickier to access.
You’re going to need to snorkel around a cliff or climb down a steep embankment to get there, but Stair Hole, once reached, is a rewarding place to observe a variety of marine life.
Dogfish, crabs, and lobsters should be easily spotted along the sides of the lagoon. Be sure to check out the local attraction of Durdle Door, this is one of the top places to see in the UK.
Plan Your Snorkelling Trip
This list is just a starting point of great snorkeling sights in South West England – not to mention in the UK as a whole. But regardless of where you go, the bottom line is that your next trip should give the British coastline a chance. You might just be pleasantly surprised.
If you enjoyed this article, you might like to view our guide to the best dive destinations around the world.
