People often ask me: Isn’t it too cold to snorkel in Scotland? While it’s certainly cooler than somewhere like Spain, the sea warms up from May onwards, rising from about 9°C to 12-15°C by August and September. I snorkel here year-round while working for the Scottish Wildlife Trust, creating snorkeling trails and guides for coastal areas. Even so, we always recommend wearing a wetsuit.
In the UK, we sometimes think experiencing nature requires traveling to exotic, faraway places at great expense. But connecting with marine life right on your doorstep can be just as rewarding. Snorkeling is affordable, requires little training, and is one of the most accessible sea sports—some of my best snorkeling has been in shallow water. It’s also a social activity—you should never go alone. Always bring a buddy (and ideally, have some hot chocolate waiting afterward).
One of my favorite experiences is swimming over Scotland’s kelp forests. The golden fronds sway with the waves, sheltering small fish, colorful anemones, starfish, and brittle stars. Sometimes you even see them catching prey. Another time, I spotted a huge school of sand eels below me. When I looked up, seals lounged on the beach while dolphins approached—just as sea eagles flew low overhead.
When I talk to European colleagues about snorkeling, they often mention overcrowding from tourism. I’m grateful Scotland’s natural spots don’t face the same pressure. That said, snorkeling here has grown much more popular since the pandemic, with coastal communities leading the way. People are realizing how beneficial it is—for both mental and physical health—and how it reminds us the sea is a fragile, extraordinary place worth protecting.
Research suggests cold-water immersion has emotional and physiological benefits. For me, the cool water washes away any worries. Plus, Scotland’s coastal history adds another layer—you might snorkel beneath a castle, through sea caves, or around old harbors, deepening your understanding of our connection to the sea.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Sea the Connection project aims to make the sea more accessible to everyone.
—As told to Donna Ferguson
