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Dive in to Scotland’s Living Seas!

Experience the wonder beneath the waves on one of our award-winning snorkel trails. We have selected sites on coasts around the country that showcase the amazing diversity of Scotland’s seas.

Bursting with marine life, you could see everything from small sea squirts, sponges and anemones right up to dolphins, whales and harmless basking sharks.

Before you go snorkelling, make sure you read our Snorkel Safety Information below so that you know how to be a safe and responsible snorkeller, and check out the Useful Links for further information on snorkelling and some of the marine life that you might see.

 

Snorkel Trail icon

Download your snorkel trail leaflets

We’ve put together a handy leaflet which tells you a little bit about each of the snorkel trail sites and some of the wildlife you might see.

Arran

Six sites around the Isle of Arran:

  • Clauchlands Farm
  • Lamlash
  • Whiting Bay
  • Kildonan
  • Imachar
  • Lochranza
Download leaflet

Berwickshire

Five sites on the Berwickshire coast:

  • Starney Bay
  • Coldingham Bay
  • Milldown Bay
  • Weasel Loch
  • Eyemouth Beach

 

Download leaflet

East Lothian

Five sites on the East Lothian coast:

  • Gullane Bents
  • Yellowcraig
  • Scottish Seabird Centre
  • Milsey Bay
  • Dunbar | IMPORTANT: this site is currently closed due to a collapsed path
Download leaflet

Lochaber

Six sites around Lochaber:

  • Camusdarach Beach
  • Prince’s Cairn
  • Ardnastang
  • Lochaline
  • Loch Linnhe Picnic Area
  • Bishop’s Bay
Download leaflet

Moray Firth

Seven sites along the Moray Firth coast:

  • Portknockie
  • Portsoy Pool
  • Black Pots
  • High Shore Beach
  • Needle’s Eye/Tarlair Swimming Pools
  • Cullykhan Bay
Download leaflet

North Argyll

Seven sites along the North Argyll coast:

  • Village Bay, Loch Craignish
  • Arduaine Jetty and Asknish Bay
  • Ganavan Sands
  • Wee Ganavan (Camas Bàn)
  • SAMS Beach (Camas Rubha na Liathaig)
  • Queenie Reef, Loch Creran
  • Creagan, Loch Creran
Download leaflet

North Harris

Six sites on the Isle of Harris:

  • Hushinish
  • Seilamol Bay
  • Àird Asaig
  • Carragraich Bay
  • Port Rhenigidale
  • Loch Mhàraig
Download leaflet

North West Highlands

Nine sites in the North West Highlands:

  • Bay of Clachtoll
  • Achmelvich Bay
  • Achnahaird Bay
  • Ardmair
  • Camusnagaul
  • Gruinard Bay
  • Mellon Charles
  • Big Sands Carn Dearg
  • An Dun

 
Download leaflet

Orkney

Six sites around Orkney:

  • Stronsay, Ayre of Myres
  • Shapinsay, Elwick Bay
  • Finstown, Bay of Firth
  • Inganess Bay
  • Churchill Barriers
  • Hoy, The Ayre
Download leaflet

Small Isles

Six sites across four islands:

  • Muck, Gallanach Bay
  • Eigg, Galmisdale Bay
  • Rum, The Old Pier
  • Rum, Port na Caranean
  • Canna, Tarbert Bay
  • Canna, Coroghan Bay
Download leaflet

South Ayrshire

Six sites along the South Ayrshire coast:

  • Big Isle
  • Horse Rock
  • Maidens West Pier Beach
  • Culzean Country Park
  • Dunure Castle
  • Ballast Bank
Download leaflet

South Fife

Five sites along the South Fife coastline:

  • Kinghorn
  • Hoch-ma-toch
  • Seafield Tower
  • Longcraig
  • Ravenscraig
Download leaflet

Torridon

Five sites in and around Torridon:

  • Redpoint
  • Diabig
  • Upper Loch Torridon
  • Sheildaig Village
  • Toscaig, Applecross
Download leaflet

Stay safe

Snorkelling can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is your responsibility to check the conditions present on the day and assess whether it is safe to snorkel.

Safe snorkelling tips

This video from BBC The Social covers some of the basic things you should know when you snorkel in Scotland.

Share your underwater experience

We would love to hear your snorkel trail stories and see any photos that you take. You can share them with us via email, Facebook or Twitter.

Snorkel Safety

Here are some top tips to being a safe and responsible snorkeller…

Before you go

  • Check the conditions: be aware of tides, water temperatures, currents and weather forecast before you leave.
  • Take a friend: never snorkel alone and always tell people where you are going.
  • Know who to contact: find out where the nearest medical and/or coastguard facility is and note down who to contact in an emergency.

At the beach

  • Know your surroundings: check what the weather and tides are doing, and identify a landmark for reference.
  • Use the right equipment: only use good quality and well-fitting equipment – mask, snorkel and fins.
  • Wear the right protection: a wetsuit will keep you warm and protect you against jellyfish stings. If it’s sunny, remember to cream up!

In the water

Follow the Snorkeller’s Code:

  • Do not remove seaweed or animals from the rock or from their homes.
  • Take care not to kick sealife with fins or stand on delicate animals.
  • Observe animals where they live and don’t take anything away with you.

Follow the Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code

Useful Links

Here are a few useful links to external sites…

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