Discover Britain’s Best Beaches: Some Feel Just Like the Mediterranean!

THE UK isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you think of beautiful beaches or interesting sea creatures.

But Emma and Gordon Taylor who have travelled all over the world diving and snorkelling say that actually, waters are some of the very best.

The UK is home to beautiful beaches with plenty of marine life off the coast Credit: Alamy Authors of Snorkelling Britain Emma and Gordon reveal their top spots around Britain Credit: Emma & Gordon Taylor

The couple along with their two children have travelled across Britain from the very tip of all the way down to the exploring its beaches and seas for their book Snorkelling Britain .

Talking to , Gordon said: “I don’t particularly aspire to diving anywhere other than Britain – there’s so much to see.

“You’ve all the shipwrecks, all the marine life, it’s as good as anywhere else in the world.”

Here are some of their favourite finds along the way…

Thornwick Bay in Yorkshire looks like the ‘Mediterranean’ Credit: Emma and Gordon Taylor

There are plenty of pretty bays and beaches across the country – the UK is even home to .

But one place in particular took top spot for them. Emma explained: “I was amazed by East Yorkshire – we were blown away.

“We went to , it was a beautiful day and it looked like the , it was amazing.

“If you have told me that our trip to the northwest of was going to feel like the Med, I would not have believed you.”

She then revealed her second favourite spot: “It’s the , which I know is a bit of a cliche, but it’s quiet and the bright white sand is really lovely.

“You can do lots on the beach too, hire snorkel kit and paddle boards so you can go out on a proper adventure.”

Achmelvich Bay in Scotland has white sand beaches Credit: Alamy

Gordon said that there’s a misconception that you’ll find the best beaches, particularly for snorkelling, in the south.

He was impressed by , particularly in the north west which is known for its spectacular white sand beaches like .

Gordon also added that he was pleasantly surprised by Sheringham in .

He said: “That’s where you’ll find the longest chalk in the world. It’s just a couple of hundred metres from the shore so you can actually swim out to it.”

Emma continued to say one of her favourite beaches is Kimmeridge Bay on the which is backed by high cliffs with fossils, and has lots of rockpools to explore.

It even has an organised snorkelling trail for those who want the best chance of seeing something special.

Inganess Bay has ain impressive shipwreck called the Juniata Credit: Emma and Gordon Taylor

There are thousands of shipwrecks in British waters, but where should you go if you’re keen to see some of the most impressive.

Immediately, Emma recommends in Scotland which is made up of 70 islands.

Emma explained: “There’s a body of water there called Scapa Flow where between the islands they sunk a lot of ships so submarines couldn’t get in. So essentially all the gaps are full of .

“One in particular is called the Juniata which is on Inganess Bay and it’s fully intact. It’s not far out so you can walk to it and then swim around it.”

In the Priests Cove tidal pool there were eel, a sea scorpion and anemones Credit: Emma and Gordon Taylor

There has been a surge in popularity for wild along with the use of outdoor pools, and tidal pools.

Some of the most popular are Walpole Bay in , Sea Pool in Cornwall and Dancing Ledge in .

When the tide goes out, the seawater remains in the rocks making it one of the safest places to swim and paddle rather than out in the ocean.

It’s not just for paddling either, when it comes to snorkelling, Emma has spotted some rare marine life.

She told us: “I was at Priests Cove in with my daughter and we saw a Conger Eel, a sea scorpion – which don’t sting, prawns and anemones.

“All of this was in the which was like the side of a toddler’s paddling pool.

“I’d really recommend tidal pools for beginner snorkellers – there are no tides so it’s safe and they’re usually very shallow so any problems and you can just stand-up.”

Seals are regulars off the coast of Britain Credit: Alamy

The UK isn’t the , so you won’t be seeing tropical fish or sea turtles.

But you might be surprised at just how much you can see in Britain’s waters.

Emma told us: “We regularly see , but it’s always on their terms and we don’t go looking for them.

“If a seal wants to play they’ll just come up to you and start chewing on your fins.

“I was followed by a seal when I was in Porthkerris and I’ve seen a lot in too.”

In Rôskilly, Gordon even saw an octopus swimming in the open and you’re more likely to see them in Britain’s waters now then ever before.

Gordon explained: “I’d never seen an octopus in the wild before last year. But in the southwest of the UK, there’s been a big influx.

“We think it’s because of the environmental conditions – they’ve been seen in Ireland and as well.”

It’s not all about the big creatures either, there are plenty of tiny ones to see too.

There’s still lots to see in seagrass and rockpools Credit: Emma and Gordon Taylor

Gordon explained: “Seagrass is a really important habitat for lots of creatures.

“It’s a type of grass that lives underwater and it’s almost like a nursery.”

Emma added: “If you find a seagrass meadow you’re likely to see small fry which are like baby fish.

“There are sea slugs which aren’t like normal slugs, they’re beautiful and usually bright orange, or purple and really cute.

The pair revealed that one of the best places for seagrass is Rhoscolyn Bay in , in Cornwall and Porth Dinllaen in .

Emma added: “I’ve seen a seahorse while snorkelling which was amazing.

“They’re heavily protected though so you can’t go looking for them, but it just popped out in front of us.

“We had a quick look at it and we then carefully moved away to leave it in peace – that’s the beautiful thing about marine life. You just don’t know what you’re going to see.”

For more info on snorkelling, where to go and how to do it – check out Snorkelling Britain Credit: Unknown

If you want to find out more about snorkelling in Britain’s waters and where to go from Emma and Gordon, take a look at their book Snorkelling Britain .

And you can find out more details about taking to the seas including a snorkelling map on their website .