Kimmeridge Bay snorkel trail

Hayley Roberts / Kimmeridge Bay snorkel trail

Explore Kimmeridge Bay beneath the waves

From May to September, visitors to The Fine Foundation Wild Seas Centre can discover the magical marine world of Kimmeridge Bay first-hand on our iconic snorkel trail.

Set in the bay’s calm, shallow waters, the trail guides snorkelers across a variety of seabed habitats, including sandy seabeds, rocky reefs and even a Japanese seaweed garden.

Five buoys mark the 400-metre route, each anchored to the seabed and highlighting a different habitat. Along the way, you’ll encounter a rich diversity of marine life and colourful seaweeds to spot and enjoy.

Julie Hatcher / Snorkeling at Kimmeridge

Snorkeling at the Wild Seas Centre © Julie Hatcher

A view of Kimmeridge Bay looking out to sea taken at low tide with rocky ledges exposed

Species to look out for

Kimmeridge Bay is home to a diverse range of marine species, meaning each trip around the trail can offer a unique experience, with new things to see amongst the dazzling seaweed beds.

Here are some species to look out for:

Connemara clingfish

Wireweed

Tamarisk seaweed

Peacock's tail seaweed

Kelp

Purchase a waterproof snorkel trail guide

The waterproof snorkel trail guide can be purchased from the visitor centre and gives directions for following the trail, safety advice, snorkelers' code of conduct and a photo identification guide to the commonest wildlife along the trail.

You can also hire of a mask and snorkel for £5 plus a £20 refundable cash deposit per set.

Know before you go

The trail:

should only be followed in clear, calm sea conditions and is best used during neap tides.
should be avoided after heavy rain or strong winds as the shallow bay takes time to settle and the visibility will be limited.
should only be used by confident sea swimmers - it is approximately 400m long, passes through patches of seaweed and the water can be colder than you're used to.
a wetsuit is advised, to lengthen the time you are able to spend in the water and to aid buoyancy.
is only in place during the summer months from May to September.
the centre staff are here to offer safety advice and whether conditions are suitable to use the trail
they are NOT able to lead snorkelers in the water
fins or flippers are not necessary or recommended as they can create accidental disturbance and damage to wildlife

How to get there

Take the A351 from Wareham to Corfe Castle and the first turn right to Creech. Follow road to the top of a steep hill and round a hairbend bend signposted to Church Knowle. After approx. 2 miles, turn right to Kimmeridge. Drive through village to toll booth. Parking fee payable to Smedmore Estate.

To plan your visit to Kimmeridge Bay, check the Lulworth Range Walks and Tyneham village opening times. Useful information can be found here.