Snorkel Dorset

Home
United Kingdom
Swanage
Snorkel Dorset

Author of Snorkel Dorset, I am a dedicated SSi/BSAC Snorkel Instructor. I offer 121, Family & Small Group Snorkel Safaris at Swanage and beyond.

Visit my blog at Dorset Underwater
Visit me The Ocean Studio - Saturdays

Seen on BBC/Dorset Life/Echo

10/09/2026

Snorkelling Courses & Tours Update 🤿

Hi everyone,

Hope you're all good and thanks for the messages asking if I'm still running courses and guided trips inbetween welcoming return guests to the studio, my beach and underwater clean-ups during the windy weather plus a Camera Club Talk on Tuesday.

Absolutely yes, I'm still running as usual, it's just harder with the weather being so unpredictable 😔

I'm at Waterfest on the seafront with Weymouth Town Council on Saturday, so come and say hi if you're passing.

And all my fins are crossed that Sunday's course will go ahead 🤞

If you're interested in a course or Snorkel Sunday Session, just let me know - Maria x

03/09/2026

It's Throwback Thursday!

So as the weather is still blowing a fit, I thought I'd share some random images of the craziest things I've found on my underwater litter cleans this year 😃. Has it really been 11 years since I started 😳

From finding a cleaning cone randomly float towards me, an iPhone to a Self-Destructing Recycled Cup which was supposed to activate with moisture 🤣, buckets, plastic, dummies and even lip hydration creams, there's also sadly the usual crabbing stuff like bags, cardboard and both bait bags, reels and crabbing nets. I even found a brush to clean my camper with 😆

Sometimes it takes me over 2 hours to get over to help Weymouth from my Swanage home, but I always feel better knowing I've helped our seas in some way. All my finds are logged and are passed on to the Marine Conservation Society.

Have you had any random underwater finds too? I'd love to hear your stories - Maria ☺️ x

30/08/2026

Happy Whale Shark day!

Don't worry, they haven't arrived here yet but they are the big why in how my whole snorkelling journey began with a huge dream to see these sea gypsies 💙

Did you know that aside from being the largest fish in the sea and eating some of the smallest creatures in plankton, each whale shark can be identified by it's unique pattern of spots and stripes on it's skin? This is usually the area on the left side, between the gill slits and the pectoral area.

This is then uploaded to the Whale Shark Photo ID Library which is global.

Have you seen one? I'd love to hear your stories ☺️

29/08/2026

"Just Another Day Helping Others"

Holy Moly what a fun day it's been chatting snorkelling, diving and ocean conservation 🤿

From chatting beach treasures and marine mammal quizzes and the work of the Marine Conservation Society to welcoming divers from here and the US who unbelievably were exactly where I used to live in Majorca chatting about their love of the Blue Planet films, their dive centre dreams and Catalina Island off LA to helping a mum and her 8 year old son with snorkelling tips, equipment and an online course with SSI for their upcoming trip to Sharm in the Red Sea, it's been a total blast 🙌

Can't wait to do it all again tomorrow ☺️

28/08/2026

Snorkel Washout 😞

Today I'm lost for words, but a huge thanks for all the lovely messages I've received about this weekend. The wind is going in the right direction but with the rainy forecast it's just looking too risky at the moment even for Monday 😞

BUT I am in my Ocean Studio at Swanage on Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 11 am to 4 pm, so if you're passing and fancy a snorkel or equipment chat with a brew or even building some ocean creatures from air clay or make a seahorse money box with your children, then swim on by and say hi 👋

I did manage to get back out to Chesil on Wednesday and never ever did I think I'd be in the midst of a huge baitball - it was absolutely epic 🙌

Have a great Bank Holiday weekend and hope to sea you soon - Maria x

23/08/2026

"Teamwork Makes Dreamwork"

Today was all about teamwork as yesterday I had an emergency hospital visit which left me unable to see properly for the rest of yesterday 😳. Try going shopping for allergy free cake for my guests when you can't read, it was pretty scary 🤣. Don't worry I'm fine now 🙌

From my lovely guests who were celebrating their Wedding Anniversary to an incredibly talented young lady on the Para Talent Pathway, I really appreciated Mike Potts, Divers Down and Natasha all helping today to ensure they loved it. Their smiles will forever stay 💕

And of course their was Nut Free Cake for afters thanks to our lovely Carol of the Co-Op Swanage Team 🎂

BSAC also had their Snorkel Festival and it was great seeing Woking and Stroud Branches getting guests in the water.

Unbelievably recognised by my underwater photography course guests from my Dive Industry work days. So fab to see you too Howard 🙌

Hope you're all having a fab day too 🤿 - Maria xx

22/08/2026

Happy Snorkel Saturday! 🤿

My favourite little red flag has had a few well-deserved days off and is being prepped to help more lovely guests discover our seas tomorrow.

Where are you all off to?

19/08/2026

"World Photography Day"

From Dorset's Coastline to a completely different world beneath the waves - every snorkel adventure reveals a tiny creature or a beautiful scene worth cherishing 💕

It's been 8 years since I had the crazy idea of capturing Dorset's Coastline above and below the waves whilst I was working a night shift on one of the Emergency Units at Poole Hospital. This year's theme is home and the ocean has always been mine 💙

Never ever did I believe that there was so much beauty to see just beneath the surface 💕

Thank you for joining me on the journey x

16/08/2026

"Sunday Snorkel Socials"

Today was literally all about encouraging people I met today to snorkel, including local bus drivers from both More Bus and First Wessex in Weymouth 🙌

It was fab listening to how interested they were and to hear the start of their journeys at Dancing Ledge and Chesil, plus the lady at Quiddles Cafe 💪

Sunday Socials today was all about just listening to someone's stories, offering encouragement and helping them with ideas to bring more light and smiles ☺️ And yes Chesil was beautiful 💕

Where have you all been today - Maria x

15/08/2026

It's National Relaxation Day 🙌

What if your escape was the underwater world but you were nervous to snorkel?

Today I launched a new Virtual Reality concept at RNLI Swanage's Lifeboat Fayre to help connect guests to our oceans and to help ease and inspire those anxious to snorkelling.

Creating easier access to our seas for others as someone with a disability has long been a passion of mine, and I really hope that this will help to increase the enjoyment and help encourage those who are nervous about dipping their toes in, that our local UK waters are full of colour with stunning marine life🤞. Plus get children more excited of course ☺️

The hughest thank you to everyone who popped by today, I was wilting in the heat but absolutely loved all the ocean chats 🙌

Address

The Ocean Studio, 5 Daisy Mays Arcade, 2 Kings Road East
Swanage
BH192ET

Telephone

+447901395807

Website

http://www.snorkeldorset.co.uk/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Snorkel Dorset posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Snorkel Dorset:

Want your business to be the top-listed Gym/sports Facility in Swanage?