Studland Bay one of best ten snorkel locations in UK

The bay, home to one of the only known breeding sites for both the spiny and short-snouted Seahorse, was selected by marine wildlife expert Anita Sherwood.

Anita said: “Studland Bay is one of the few places in the UK where you can see seahorses in the wild.

“They are masters of disguise, changing colour and even growing leafy appendages for camouflage.

“But they are regularly spotted here, so be patient. Summer is the best time to look for them.”

The list will be published in the August issue of BBC Wildlife Magazine.

Currently there is a voluntary no-anchor zone in place for the protected seahorses at Studland Bay.

A two-year scientific study is being carried out to discover the impact of anchoring on the seagrass.

But some conservationists have blasted the zone as a “catastrophic failure” as the sheltered bay at South Beach can often see 300 boats visiting every day during the summer months.

Marine photographer and seahorse campaigner Steve Trewhella says he regularly witnesses boats anchoring inside the zone.

Meanwhile, executive director of The Seahorse Trust, Neil Garrick-Maidment, said: “The bay is a wonderful place to snorkel and dive – we were out yesterday and it felt like the Caribbean.

“But I would ask that anyone diving takes all the right safety precautions. And for the seahorses, do not handle them and do not take any flash photography, as this can kill them.”

Anita said: “This snorkel takes you out into the jungle of eelgrass, where seahorses are often found on the fringes.

“They are protected, so don’t disturb any that you see.

“If you approach slowly then they will not stray far, and you can enjoy watching them for a while.”

Ten ten snorkel spots in UK (in no particular order)

• Studland Bay, Dorset;

• Staxigoe, east Scotland;

• Stackpole Quay, Wales;

• Prussia Cove, Cornwall;

• Fairy Cove, Devon;

• Loch Long, west Scotland;

• Port Skerra Arch, north Scotland;

• Porth Castell, Anglesey;

• London Bridge, Devon;