British Snorkelling FAQs
We get asked a lot of the same questions, so we've pulled together the ones that come up most — everything from where to find the best snorkelling sites and what gear you'll need, to water temperatures and the marine life you can expect to see around the UK coastline.
About British Snorkelling
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 beneficial health effects.
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 great spider crabs, small-spotted catsharks, tompot blenny, sea slugs, ballan wrasse, 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 cuttlefish or conger eels.
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 BSAC 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 Snorkelling Britain features 100 favourite snorkelling sites in England, Scotland and Wales.
Is it "snorkelling" or "snorkeling"?
The Oxford English Dictionary gives "snorkelling" as the correct spelling in British English, so we've tried to follow that convention in our website and book.
About Snorkelology
Who or what is Snorkelology?
Snorkelology is the brainchild of Emma and Gordon Taylor, BSAC diving and snorkelling instructors, and authors of Snorkelling Britain — the only snorkelling guidebook covering the whole of Britain. Emma and Gordon are passionate snorkellers and divers who have been exploring Britain's coastline for more that twenty years.
Snorkelology started out as a website to sell the book but has since evolved into a hub for all things British snorkelling, including articles, guides, and a unique snorkelling map of Britain.
How did you find the name Snorkelology?
We wanted a made-up name so it would be easy to find a domain name — 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".