Where is a good place to go Snorkel in the UK?

What a great question for a lifelong UK-based snorkeller like myself who loves to snorkel in his own country, an island surrounded by great beaches and seascapes. Too many Brits feel they have to hop on a plane and head off to some foreign resort with no culture or night life when they want to go snorkelling.

My favourite snorkelling spot is between Blyth and Whitley Bay on the North East coast of England. Not much flora and fauna to see, but a generally calm sea state and a glorious sandy beach. I wear a vintage-style drysuit to keep warm and I always return home feeling serene and refreshed.

The Guardian newspaper once published its top ten snorkelling sites in the UK. Kimmeridge Bay in Dorset seems to be a particular favourite, if the British Sub Aqua Club Snorkelling website is anything to go by:

1. North Landing, North Yorkshire

It's worth the slightly complicated hunt to locate this sandy, sheltered bay (down a steep road leading to a disused lifeboat station). Visibility varies, but scuba diving is not permitted so you should at least have the run of the water. You'll be able to take in some rocky outcrops with kelp and seaweed, providing a lush home for schools of fish.

2. Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset

Part of the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve, the area has been managed by the Dorset Wildlife Trust since 1974. In 2006 a snorkelling trail was created, opening up Kimmeridge Bay for all (but only in the summer months). You'll see different species of weed and kelp, and a variety of fish, especially wrasse and blennies.

3. Eyemouth Rocks, Berwickshire

This area was established as a marine reserve in 1984, reflecting the amazing variety of marine and seashore life. The water is unusually clear, and there's a particularly good snorkelling site just south of Eyemouth Harbour around a small island rock. Deep gullies provide hiding places for fish, lobsters and anemones.

4. The Caves, Long Loch, Scotland

Not-very-enigmatically-named Long Loch stretches for 16 miles, one of a number of sea lochs reaching deep into the Highlands. Its sheltered waters provide a home for conger eels, anemones, crabs, starfish and urchins - and, if you're lucky, a seal or two - and this is a calm place to snorkel or dive all year round.

5. Swanage, Old and New Pier, Dorset

Access from the steps at the side of the pier makes this great for kids. More adventurous snorkellers can jump off the lower level on the new pier into deeper water. Visibility can often get up to 10m in the summer months, and the planks on the piers create a low light area that encourages more unusual growth such as sponges and anemones.

6. Drawna Rocks, Porthkerris Cove, Cornwall

To the north of Porthkerris Cove, these rocks just break the surface of the water, making them superb for snorkelling and very easy to find. The rocks are covered in multi-hued seaweeds; there are wrasse in all colours plus mullet, crabs, sea urchins, starfish and more unusual fish such as John Dory and cuttlefish. Within the kelp you may spot jewel anemones.

7. Trearddur Bay, Anglesey

While the main beach is sandy and full of holiday-makers, there are a number of quiet, shallow bays in the area that offer great snorkelling; the easiest to find is opposite the dive shop on Ravenspoint Road. The seabed is a mix of gullies, walls, trenches and holes which attract tompot blennies, shrimps and crabs - plus larger species such as wrasse, dogfish and lobster in deeper water. Just beware of the currents.

8. Longstone, Farne Islands

Several areas here are sheltered enough in good weather to provide excellent snorkelling. But they are mostly only accessible by boat, and you may need to book in advance. Longstone has a shallow bay at the southern end of the island, and there are no landing fees as it isn't a bird sanctuary. The main draw is the seals, which are very common; go in late summer when the pups are used to people and getting more inquisitive.

9. Prussia Cove, Cornwall

Actually made up of three small coves (Piskies, Bessy's and King's) only be reached on foot. The car park gets full by midday in high season so get here early. There isn't much beach, especially at high tide, but there are plenty of gullies to explore. Fish like to dart around the rugged stony area, but it is most notable for the harmless jellyfish which sometimes occur in dense masses.

10. Stair Hole, Lulworth Cove, Dorset

Not a dive for the inexperienced. Stair Hole can only be reached by snorkelling round from Lulworth Cove in good weather, or via a challenging climb down a steep cliff. Years of erosion of the softer limestone and shale elements have left a small lagoon sheltered almost entirely by cliffs. On the outer wall of the hole, you should easily find lobster, crabs and dogfish.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2007/jul/14/beach...

I'd suggest water

description...it's wet