The Fine Foundation Wild Seas Centre

Wild Seas Centre Image by Phil Abraham

Wild Seas Centre Image by Phil Abraham

Kimmeridge under the waves © Andy Pearson

Kimmeridge under the waves © Andy Pearson 

An interactive marine wildlife centre situated on a beautiful stretch of Dorset's Jurassic Coast, with splendid views from grassy cliff tops and an underwater nature trail for snorkelers. The Wild Seas Centre is open daily from 10.30am to 5pm until 30 October. The centre will be closed for the winter from November to March.

Location

Kimmeridge Bay, Kimmeridge,
(Drive through village to toll booth.)
Kimmeridge
Dorset
BH20 5PE

OS Map Reference

SY9090978801
A static map of The Fine Foundation Wild Seas Centre

Know before you go

Size
2000 hectares
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Entry fee

£6 Road toll fee (depending on vehicle)
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Parking information

Parking fee included in road toll fee

Bicycle parking

Yes

Grazing animals

No

Walking trails

There is access to South West Coast Path and a footpath to Kimmeridge Village, or you can try our snorkel trail. Cliff paths are steep in places and the rockpools are slippery & uneven. 

Please click here for more information and guidance about dogs on DWT nature reserves.

Access

The area around the Wild Seas Centre centre is accessible, however terrain can be uneven so sturdy footwear is advisable.  

 

Dogs

Under effective control

See above for more information about dogs on nature reserves.

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Facilities

Visitor centre
Toilets
Shop
Picnic area
Accessible toilet

When to visit

Opening times

Open daily from 10.30am until 5pm from April to October. The centre is closed for the winter from November to March.

Limited access to the beach in winter. Check tide times to plan your rockpooling adventures!

Best time to visit

April to October

About the reserve

The Fine Foundation Wild Seas Centre, with interactive displays and aquaria, provides a fascinating and innovative source of information, encouraging all ages to explore the bay, its ledges and rockpools.

Kimmeridge Bay extends along a beautiful stretch of Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, with splendid views from grassy cliff tops & underwater nature trails for divers and snorkelers. 

The Wild Seas Centre offers a focal point to the enjoyment of exploring the bay and its rockpools and ledges. The snorkel trail allows a unique glimpse under the waves and snorkelling equipment is available to buy. Peer into the water to see a wide variety of seaweeds and rockpool creatures. Specialities include peacock’s tail seaweed, connemara clingfish and Montagu’s blennies. This is a Marine Conservation Zone so please always follow the Seashore Code. In shallow water, large wrasse and shoals of small fish can be seen against a colourful backdrop of rainbow wrack and coralline seaweeds. Occasionally large marine mammals such as seals and dolphins can be spotted. 

Useful information: 

Toilets are located in the car park. 

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

 

Kimmeridge Bay

Wild Seas Centre Map

Wild Seas Centre Map

The Kimmeridge Snorkel Trail

The Snorkel Trail in the mild, shallow waters of Kimmeridge Bay, leads the snorkeller through a variety of seabed habitats, including sandy seabed, rocky reef and Japanese seaweed garden.

The 5 buoys that mark the trail are attached to the seabed and each reveals a different type of habitat with different marine creatures and colourful seaweeds to look out for. However the trail is only in place from May to September each year.

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.

We are here to help

DWT wardens at the Fine Foundation Wild Seas Centre, by the slipway in the bay, are able to help with:

  • safety advice and whether conditions are suitable to use the trail
  • purchase of a waterproof snorkel trail guide.

They are NOT able to lead snorkellers in the water or hire any other equipment - you will need to provide your own wetsuit. Fins or flippers are not necessary as these can create accidental disturbance and damage to wildlife.

Purchase a waterproof snorkel trail guide

The waterproof snorkel trail guide can be purchased from the marine centre and gives directions for following the trail, safety advice, snorkellers code of conduct and a photo identification guide to the commonest wildlife along the trail. It costs £3. 

Kimmeridge snorkel trail video © Andy Marsh 

The Seashore Code

Upcoming events at the Wild Seas Centre