Is it too cold to snorkel in Britain?

Not at all. In the summer the water temperature can reach 20°C or higher in the south of England. A wetsuit is recommended for year-round snorkelling or colder months, and cold water swimming can have [link:beneficial health effects,/blog/the-health-benefits-of-snorkelling].

Is there any marine life to see snorkelling in Britain?

Yes! The British coastline is one of the most rich and diverse marine habitats in the world. You could see [link:great spider crabs,https://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/1753], [link:small-spotted catsharks,https://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/1493], [link:tompot blenny,https://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/1725], [link:sea slugs,https://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/1982], [link:ballan wrasse,https://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/1739], not to mention the wide range of seaweeds and wracks, and the beautiful anemones that can only really be appreciated from underwater. If you are willing to snorkel at dusk, you could also be treated to [link:cuttlefish,https://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/1098] or [link:conger eels,https://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/2126]. In short, there is no end to the wonderful marine life that inhabit our coastlines, and what better way to explore than with a mask and snorkel?

Is snorkelling in Britain safe?

Snorkelling comes with risks but can be enjoyed safely by developing skills slowly, testing kit in a pool first, and progressing to shallow sheltered water sites. Professional instruction through organisations like [link:BSAC,https://www.bsac.com] is recommended.

What are the best snorkelling sites in Britain?

The most abundant locations tend to be those with rocky seabed and healthy currents. Always check tides and currents before visiting. Our book [link:Snorkelling Britain,/#snorkelling-britain] features 100 favourite snorkelling sites in England, Scotland and Wales.

Is it "snorkelling" or "snorkeling"?

The [link:Oxford English Dictionary,https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/snorkelling] gives "snorkelling" as the correct spelling in British English, so we've tried to follow that convention in our website and book.

How did you find the name Snorkelology?

We wanted a made-up name so it would be easy to find a domain name - that's a primary concern in this day and age - but we also wanted something that sounded fun and a bit quirky.

What does Snorkelology mean?

Snorkelology is a made-up word that combines "snorkel" with the suffix "-ology", which is from the Greek meaning 'study of'. So in a playful sense, Snorkelology could be interpreted as "the study of snorkelling".

Photo of child walking up a beach holding snorkelling gear with blue-green sea behind

Welcome to Snorkelology

Discover the wonders of British snorkelling for all the family

Snorkelling Britain

Find out about our new guidebook to 100 British snorkelling sites

Photo showing children pointing at marine life while snorkelling in a rock pool

Learn about British snorkelling

Explore our content to discover a fascinating underwater world

Welcome to Snorkelology

Discover the wonders of British snorkelling for all the family

Interactive Snorkelling Map of Britain

Load our full interactive map to explore snorkelling sites, filter habitats, and discover organisations across Britain.

Open Full-Screen Map