Top 10 Places to Snorkel in Dorset

Studland Bay

About: Studland has been named one of the top 10 best spots for Snorkelling in the entire UK. Keep your eyes peeled for seaweeds, anemone’s, limpets, crabs, wrasse, pipe fish and more around Studland. Either explore alone, or for the full experience - you can join Fore Adventures, where you will first kayak over towards Old Harry Rocks and begin Snorkelling from there.

Price: Free, or £45 to explore for 2 hours with Fore Adventure

Outdoor Activites: Snorkelling, Kayaking

Address: Middle Beach, Studland, Dorset BH19 3AP

Photo Credits: shaunjacobs_landscapes_

Pondfield Cove / Worbarrow Bay

About: Both Pondfield Cove and Worbarrow Bay are on the sea, just by Tyneham Village. Pondfield Cove especially is loved for its chalk cave and beautifully clear water! Whilst snorkelling, you will be able to spot some great seaweeds and masses yellow thongweed in the area, and afterwards, enjoy some time relaxing in the waters or go rock pooling. This is a very secluded and relaxing spot, perfect for those wanting to avoid crowds. 

Price: Free

Outdoor Activites: Snorkelling, Open Water Swimming, Rock Pooling

Address: Tyneham, East Lulworth, Dorset, BH20 5QF

Photo Credits: jamesloveridgephotography

Swanage Pier

About: Swanage Pier provides easy access to the water, alongside being a very sheltered location, making this a great spot for families and kids to try out snorkelling. The shade from the pier makes this a perfect environment for anemones and sponges to form! This location is also great for more avid watersports enthusiasts - with Divers Down offering both adult and kids Scuba Diving! Thousands head over to Swanage Pier to Scuba Dive under the wooden Pier framework.

Price: £3.50 for under 14s / £5 for Adults with Divers Down

Outdoor Activites: Snorkelling, Scuba Diving, Crabbing, Open Water Swimming

Address: Pier Approach, Swanage BH19 2AP

Photo Credits: clivegearyphotography

Kimmeridge

About: Kimmeridge is one of the most popular spots for Snorkelling in Dorset! The bay at Kimmeridge lends the perfect environment for Snorkelling, with a flat, shelf-like Bay that plays host to luscious plant life and marine invertebrates including coralline seaweeds and snakelocks anemones. The Dorset Wildlife Trust lay out a Snorkel trail, marked out by buoys, from May to September! Pick up your waterproof guide at the Wild Seas Visitor Centre and find directions, safety advice, Snorkelers code of conduct and photo identification for the more common wildlife that you will find.

Price: Various

Outdoor Activites: Snorkelling, Rock Pooling, Open Water Swimming, Surfing

Address: Wild Seas Visitor Centre, Kimmeridge, Wareham, BH20 5PF

Photo Credits: shaunjacobs_landscapes_

Old Harry Rocks

About: The crystal-clear waters at Old Harry Rocks offer an underwater haven for Snorkelling fans. Not only is this a picturesque location to enjoy some time in the water, with the white cliffs overlooking the water; but, Old Harry rocks also offers many amazing features for Snorkelling. Explore coves and caves that will give a different experience to just the open waters. You will be sure to find vibrant marine life, including many species of seaweed, fish, anemones and more!

Price: Free / Or £45 to explore for 2 hours with Fore Adventure

Outdoor Activites: Snorkelling, Paddle Boarding

Address: Old Harry Rocks, BH19 3AN

Photo Credits: bymattandabbie

Chesil Beach

About: Chesil Beach, just between Weymouth and Portland, is one of the South Coasts most famous beaches. This is a great spot for Snorkelling enthusiasts, and enhanced even more by its' history. Chesil Beach is situated just by Portland Harbour, which saw some of Henry the VIII's most intense battles, leaving Chesil Beach full of old ruins of vessels - that now act as shelters for natural life. An abundance of flora and fauna can be found underwater. Either Snorkel alone, or join Mulberry Maine Experiences for a tour.

Price: Free / Or £50 to explore for 2.5 hours with Mulberry

Outdoor Activites: Snorkelling,

Address: Chesil Beach, Weymouth, DT4 9XE

Photo Credits: sarahstrong.photography

West Bay

About: West Bay, just a short distance away from Bridport, is a hotspot for watersports fans in Dorset. Families flock to West Bay for Snorkelling, Scuba Diving fossil hunting, fishing, paragliding, surfing and more. You will have great views of that Beach and Cliffs whilst Snorkelling and enjoing the calm waters.

Price: Free

Outdoor Activites: Snorkelling, Open Water Swimming, Surfing, Paragliding

Address: West Bay, Dorset, DT6 4HQ

Photo Credits: vanessas.views

Boscombe Pier

About: Boscombe Beach was redevoloped in 2009 to build a Surf reef to attrach Surfers. However, the reef failed for Surfers and was closed down in 2011. Luckily for Snorkelling enthusiasts, the reef has gained a new lease of life as it is now widely used by Snorkelers and Divers as it has been colonised by flora and fauna. 

Price: Free

Outdoor Activites: Snorkelling, Surfing, Paddleboarding, Open Water Swimming

Address: Boscombe Beach, Bournemouth, BH5 1BN

Photo Credits: southbourne_sue

Man O'War Cove

About: Man O'War Cove, just off Weymouth, is home to a spectacular reef which is beloved by Snorkelling and Scuba Diving lovers. In prime conditions, you are able to explore all around the headland and through the famous Durdle Door. The crystal clear waters allow for you to discover vibrant marine life and colorful seaweed beds.

Price: Free

Outdoor Activites: Snorkelling, Open Water Swimming

Address: West Lulworth, Wareham BH20 5PU

Photo Credits: seemebythesea_

Lulworth Cove

About: The Jurassic Coasts' Lulworth Cove is home to an impressive marine environment, where you can even see dogfish and lobsters swimming. Either explore for free or join Lulwoth's official Snorkelling guide! A qualified instructor will lead you around Lulworth Cove and show you where to look for marine life and seaweed forests.

Price: Free / Or £10-£15 to explore with Lulworth.

Outdoor Activites: Snorkelling, Outdoor Swimming

Address: Lulworth Visitor Centre, Lulworth, BH20 5RQ

Photo Credits: carl_brightman

FAQs

• Do and don'ts of snorkeling? - DO check your equipment, check the weather conditons and go in pairs. DONT disturb the wildlife or leave behind rubbish.
• What are the best snorkeling conditions? - Snorkelling is typically best in the morning, with calmer waters and a low tide.
• What are the types of snorkel? - Two window, Single lense, Panoramic with side windows, full face and prescription