Rock Pool, Fossil Hunt and Snorkel at Kimmeridge Bay
I love everything about Kimmeridge Bay – the picturesque drive from the main road, the views out across the bay, the fossils hidden in the cliffs and along the beach, the rockpools and sea life revealed at low tide, the nature trail you snorkel around and The Etches Collection fossil museum that you can visit during high tide.
Rock Pooling
Low tide reveals sandy areas and rock pools where we have spotted fish, crabs and anemones. The rocks can be slippery though so take care.
Be sure to plan your visit around the tides. At high tide there is hardly any beach and it would be easy to become cut off.
The Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve and Snorkel Trail
The sea around Kimmeridge Bay is protected as the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve. There is a 400m long snorkelling nature trail around the marine reserve that has good visibility.
For details, drop into the Fine Foundation Marine Centre, which is run by the Dorset Wildlife Trust, and has exhibits with information on the bay’s wildlife as well as equipment to hire.
Fossil Hunting
It is easy to find fossils at Kimmeridge Bay.
This photo shows one of two large fossilised ammonite shells that are visible as you walk along the beach. To find these, turn left at the bottom of the stairs that lead down from the car park and keep your eyes peeled.
It is also possible to find fossils on or inside rocks lying on the beach (but note that you are not allowed to use hammers).
If you are very lucky you may even find bones from marine reptiles.
The Etches Collection Museum of Jurassic Marine Life
The Etches Collection is a brilliant museum that displays and brings to life the fossils you find at Kimmeridge Bay. It is interactive, modern, fun and informative and a must visit if you are going fossil hunting.
The museum is about a five minute drive from the beach. We visit during high tide, whether that is before or after we go to the beach.
Accessibility
The beach is accessed by a steep flight of stairs. The beach itself is fairly flat but the rocks can be slippery when wet.
There are warning signs that the cliffs are dangerous and can be unstable, so we never go near the cliffs.
Visit the Kimmeridge Bay website
Visit the Kimmeridge Bay fossil website
Further Information
Nearest Town: Kimmeridge, near Wareham
County: Dorset
Nearest Postcode: BH20 5PF
Opens: Daily
Cost: Free
Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: Portaloo toilets.
How Long We Spent There: 1 hour
Buggies: The beach is accessed by a steep flight of stairs that are hard to take a buggy down.
Parking: There is good sized car park.
Cost of Parking: Free but there is a toll road that operates in high season.
Information Written: October 2019
Ratings
Our visit to Kimmeridge Bay and The Etches Collection Museum of Jurassic Marine Life in Kimmeridge, near Wareham, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.
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