South Ayrshire

On the 8th-9th June 2024, the South Ayrshire Snorkel Trail launched at Maidens World Ocean Day Festival, The trail was developed in association with Adventure Carrick and shares the best places along South Ayrshire’s stunning rugged coastline to snorkel below castles, around skerries and through ancient volcanic sea caves, all with the majestic Ailsa Craig rising from the Firth of Clyde.

Elouise Dalziel, Living Seas Policy and Engagement Officer with the Scottish Wildlife Trust, who helped to co-create the trail with Adventure Carrick and local snorkellers, divers, marine based businesses and community members said:

“Each site featured in the South Ayrshire snorkel trail is unique and offers a different snorkelling experience with sandy beaches for families or historic sites such as Big Isle in Lendalfoot with its memorial to a Russian warship wreck to reflect on the past. The diverse range of marine life to encounter is what makes snorkelling magical, along with how relaxing it is to spend time immersed underwater. This trail aims to help more people realise the importance of Scotland’s seas by discovering the amazing life under Scotland’s waves.”

Several snorkel sessions were led by Adventure Carrick at the Maidens World Ocean Day Festival on 8-9 June, a community event dedicated to celebrating the ocean. The weekend featured a diverse array of activities designed to engage participants with the marine environment.

Chris Saunders from Adventure Carrick expressed his delight at seeing the South Ayrshire Snorkel Trail launched at such a prestigious event. He said: “The snorkel trail is a fantastic asset to the region and a wonderful way for more people to engage with the underwater world.”