Snorkel Dorset

08/05/2026

Happy Birthday to Earth's greatest storyteller!

Dear Sir David,

You gave the oceans words to sing,
And taught so much wonder in everything.
You made the silent wildness speak,
It's beauty strong, it's future weak.

In your voice both calm and true,
You sparked a passion in something new.

Thank you for the paths you've shown,
For making this earth feel known.
For every life you helped us see,
You inspired the world, thanks so much for inspiring me - Maria 💙

PS. Still so proud I helped Erick Higuera learn underwater photography back in 2004 who is now part of the Blue Planet Film Crew.

29/04/2026

Hi ,

A huge welcome and thank you to those who've joined my page recently, it's great to have you along on the journey 💙

Just a gentle reminder that there are LOTS of videos and images to inspire you on my other page at Underwater, which is where I post every day and share lots of cool facts about the marine life.

My studio in Swanage is also open this Bank Holiday Weekend from 11 to 4 pm on Saturday, Sunday and Monday so pop on by if you have any questions and check out snorkelling kit 🤿

Sea you there and hope you all have a great week! Are you off snorkelling this weekend? Maria x

27/04/2026

"Crab Appreciation Day"

Yesterday was the day to appreciate our snappy crustacean ocean icons 🦀. From tiny to mighty, sideways to speedy, rockpools to oceans, they bring heaps of personality to our shores.

Did you know there's over 60 species along the UK?

🦀 Or that they walk sideways for speed as their legs are hinged that way? But don't forget that they can still walk forwards!

🦀 They have tiny hairs on their pincers and legs to help them taste food before eating it?

🦀 Most species are omnivorous scavengers and will eat almost anything they find, from algae to plankton and molluscs.

🦀 Hermit crabs are not true crabs as they have a long tail or abdomen to hold themselves inside the shell.

🦀 A female with eggs is known as "berried" and they carry their eggs with them under their bellies to protect them from predators.

Finally, Lin Baldock, Charlotte Bolton and Iain MT Dixon from Seasearch have just released a book called "Marine Crustaceans of Britain and Ireland".

Which shell-lebrity legends are your favourites? I'll be sharing more fun facts in my stories but feel free to share your stories in the comments👇

25/04/2026

"Overdressed on a Saturday night 🤣"

So whilst the world and their besties jumped on the bus in their sunwear and evening frocks, I had other ideas to entertain myself tonight 😳

Who honestly thought that the water colour would match my MARES - just add water fins and I met the cutest little sand goby.

Did you know that there's over 2,000 species of them worldwide?

16/04/2026

Hi ,

Hope you're all getting excited about snorkelling again!

Some of you have realised that I've been busy all winter blogging about my underwater adventures in Dorset on my other page Underwater 🤿

And that's where I've chosen to stay with my updates. I'll write as soon as I can, but I'm really proud of how my little page has grown to help raise awareness of the marine life and beauty along our coastline.

Don't forget that you can buy my book "Snorkel Dorset" on Amazon. Each copy comes with support to help you on your own snorkelling journey.

Look forward to seeing you all on my other page and helping you with your own journeys ☺️ - Maria x

Dorset's World Heritage Sites offer so many incredible snorkelling opportunities, from marine protected areas to breathtaking sandy beaches, castle views, giant kelp forests, unique seaweeds and the world-famous Swanage Pier. This guide will help you to discover over 20 top spots, giving you ess...

03/04/2026

Wahooo - finally I'm back in my blue home 🙌

Wetsuit fits ✅
Picked up some underwater rubbish ✅
Reunited a lost crabbing net with a young boy ✅
Helped him learn about our marine life ✅
Released 2 crabs & lots of netted whelks ✅
Him and his Nan LOVED it ✅

Was I petrified at getting back in? Absolutely and yes it felt mighty freezie at first when the 10 degree water temp slid down my suit. But I was super toasty afterwards in my MARES Flexa 8/6 suit.

I also rediscovered our seagrass meadow with lots of little plants hanging onto the Wireweed which have been uprooted in the storm.

Sadly lots of marine vegetation has been lost - and the seagrass meadow has changed shape - it was so sad to see.

It was the best feeling being back in to help Seasearch learn more about our local seas. Can't wait to get back!

Hope you all have a great day! ☺️

12/03/2026

Did anyone see this on the news yesterday?

We can see some snorkelling here too, both Pacific (non-Native) and Native Oysters.

I posted a video recently of a Pacific Oyster I found last year on my Dorset Underwater page.

Did you know that they can change s*x as needed and they even have 3 hearts and breathe through their gills?

Have you seen them?

11/03/2026

Hi

It's National Dream Day! Finally the sunshine is here and I can't believe it's time to start getting back in the water.

Just in case you wondered why I've been quiet on this page, it's because I've spent all winter trying to raise as much awareness of our beautiful coast as possible through my Underwater page.

Why do I have two you're thinking? Because I wanted to document my journey on a non-commercial side, it wasn't for business, it was purely to show non-divers and non-snorkellers the beauty and marine life who live on our coast. Every penny I make goes back into ocean conservation helping others to gain confidence and learn about our seas.

Can't wait to get back snorkeling through this magical light at Swanage Pier 💙

31/01/2026

"Smiling in the Storms"

It's been a busy week back at the recycling centre to pick up a tiny table and chair for the tiny people who I'll be welcoming this week to the studio 💙

Beachcombing has also reached a whole new vibe with me and Nemo finding a comb snd a hanger at Swanage yesterday and we did a mini-clean the day before at Sandbanks.

If anyone fancies joining me on a beach walk to see what we can find, you're more than welcome.

Have you found any treasures too?