TOP SNORKEL SPOTS

All you need is a mask and a wetsuit to explore magical underwater worlds just metres from the shore. Anna Turns reveals 14 sensational destinations to discover our hidden marine life. Dive in...

Grab a mask and some flippers and head to Britain’s best destinations for gazing below the water’s surface.

When the tide’s right, swim just a few metres away from dry land and you can glimpse a vibrant, colourful underwater world. Snorkelling is the simplest way to immerse yourself in another dimension of the British coastline, where blennies peek out of rock crevices and starfish move stealthily across the sandy seabed.

There’s no need for fancy kit or scuba tanks – just a wetsuit and mask will do, and you don’t need to move fast or venture far from the shore to see the stars of the show. If you can swim, you can snorkel, so dip your head beneath the waves, relax and float to another magical place. Here are 14 locations around the country to explore.

1. ST MARTIN’S, ISLES OF SCILLY

Take a three-hour boat trip to snorkel with curious Atlantic grey seals – they might even get close enough to nibble at your fins (£49pp). scillysealsnorkelling.com

2. WEMBURY, SOUTH DEVON

Swim down the gully to the eastern end of Wembury’s beach and float over the slate reefs on a low tide. Look out for red-eyed velvet swimming crabs and prawns hiding among the rocks. Access is super easy and the Devon Wildlife Trust runs regular guided snorkel safaris for beginners here (£12.50pp, age 12 and over). wemburymarinecentre.org

3. LUNDY ISLAND, BRISTOL CHANNEL

The first designated Marine Conservation Zone is bursting with colourful marine life, from bright cup corals, pink sea fans and kelp forests to spider crabs. One-hour snorkel safaris are available until September (£20pp). lundyisland.co.uk

4. MWNT, CARDIGAN BAY, CEREDIGION

This sandy cove is sheltered by sandstone cliffs and is popular with families. Just a few hundred metres along the coast path to the east, huge rocky slabs shelve into clear water, ideal for snorkelling. Dolphins and porpoises are often spotted here, too. Park at the National Trust car park. nationaltrust.org.uk/mwnt

5. STUDLAND BAY, DORSET

Explore the arches of Old Harry Rocks and if you’re lucky to spot the rare spiny (above) or short-snouted seahorses living on the edges of the eelgrass beds, swim slowly and be sure not to disturb them. nationaltrust.org.uk/studland-bay

6. KIMMERIDGE BAY, DORSET

Follow the trail of five buoys to explore these sheltered, crystal-clear waters. Search for multicoloured corkwing wrasse (above) among Japanese seaweed, look for limpets moving on submerged rocks and spot snakelocks anemones. Pick up a waterproof guide to the underwater nature trail from the Fine Foundation Wild Seas Centre. dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/wild-seas-centre

7. PORT GRENAUGH, ISLE OF MAN

Stripy dahlia anenomes inhabit this sheltered bay, while lion’s mane jellyfish (left) and sand eels shimmer past. Book a boat trip (£50pp) at discoverdiving.im/snorkel-safaris

8. BERWICKSHIRE MARINE RESERVE, BERWICKSHIRE

The gentle walk into the sea from Eyemouth Beach (right) makes this site perfect for beginners. If you’re feeling more adventurous, swim over the rockier outcrops to the north and look for fish among the seaweed and squat lobsters in the submerged rockpools. scottishwildlifetrust.org. uk/snorkeltrail

9. STACKPOLE QUAY, PEMBROKESHIRE

Wade into this shallow secluded harbour, snorkel over the gullies and look for the spider crabs that come here to breed every summer. An excellent place for beginners and families. nationaltrust.org.uk/stackpole

10. LAMLASH BAY, ISLE OF ARRAN, NORTH AYRSHIRE

Marine wildlife thrives in Lamlash Bay’s no-take zone, where fishing is banned. Park at Clauchlands Farm (KA27 8LH) and walk carefully over the rocks to access the sea. Swim south to the seagrass beds and look for small-spotted catsharks, sand stars and hermit crabs. Otters, seals and seabirds, such as oystercatchers and black guillemots, are often spotted, too. arrancoast.com

11. FLAMBOROUGH, YORKSHIRE

The chalk rock formations at North Landing Beach (above) are perfect for spotting sea urchins, scorpionfish and cuckoo wrasse. ywt.org.uk/living-seas-centre

12. ISLE OF COLL, INNER HEBRIDES

Snorkel with basking sharks during July and August. A marine biologist skippers the boat ride to wildlife hotspots (£195pp for a day trip). baskingsharkscotland.co.uk

13. GRUINARD BAY, ROSS AND CROMARTY

At low tide, explore the creatures sheltering among the seagrass and kelp by the headland at the north of this beach. Admire the beds of rare maerl – a hard, purple-pink seaweed that forms ‘carpets’ along this section of the North West Highlands Snorkel Trail. scottishwildlifetrust. org.uk/snorkeltrail

14. SHERINGHAM, NORTH NORFOLK

Great for novices, this shallow snorkel trail follows the line of the town’s old sewage pipe – disused now, thankfully – crossing chalk reef rich with seaweeds and sponges. See the information boards at the Offshore Coffee House (NR26 8BJ).