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THE BAY IS A FABULOUS PLACE FOR ROCKPOOLING, WHERE VISITORS HAVE A CHANCE OF SEEING BARNACLES, LIMPETS, GOBIES AND BLENNIES 08:56, 21 May 2025 A beauty spot on the South East Northumberland

Coast has been named one of the best places for snorkelling on the UK coast. Collywell Bay in Seaton Sluice and the distinctive Charlie's Garden sea stack have been recommended among

the country's best places for spotting bottom dwellers, such as gobies and blennies. The bay, which lies between the much larger beach at Seaton Sluice and St Mary's Lighthouse in

Whitley Bay, is a quiet cove mostly frequented by anglers. It stretches from Seaton Sluice Harbour in the north to Crag Point in the south. The bay has been recommended by Emma and Gordon

Taylor in their book Snorkelling Britain: 100 Marine Adventures. An excerpt shared in the Guardian said: "Charlie's Garden is a distinctive sandstone sea stack sitting on the tidal

foreshore of Collywell Bay. Local lore has it that the rock is named after one Charles Dockwray, who cultivated a garden on the rock in the mid-19th century, when it was still part of the

mainland. "A fabulous place for rockpooling at lower tides, the rock now forms a permanent feature of the bay, which is broad and shallow, with a rock and sand seabed that's home

to seaweeds of all types as well as barnacles, limpets, gobies, blennies and other bottom-dwelling species. Seals are also known to visit the bay – a wonderful sight if they choose to swim

nearby. Article continues below "As with much of this coastline, water visibility can take some time to clear after storms, but in sunny, settled conditions it’s a wonderful place to

experience east-coast marine life." Emma and Gordon Taylor's book also instructs would-be swimmers on how to snorkel safety and responsibly, as the activity often comes with the

same risks associated with open water swimming. Article continues below 10 TIPS TO SNORKEL SAFELY * Assess your fitness to snorkel before getting in the water * Consider undertaking formal

snorkelling qualifications * Always snorkel with a “buddy” * Know how to use your kit and ensure it’s in good condition * Assess the site and conditions before entry * Regularly monitor your

position in the water * Use a swim buoy so that boats can easily see you * Never swim into underwater structures or caves while snorkelling * Get out of the water before you feel cold, and

especially before shivering * Immediately leave the water if you feel excessively fatigued or short of breath To read the full list of the best places to snorkel in the UK, visit the

Guardian website. Snorkelling Britain: 100 Marine Adventures by Emma and Gordon Taylor is published by Wild Things Publishing, and costs £18.99. JOIN OUR NORTHUMBERLAND WHATSAPP COMMUNITY

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