Dorset Underwater

19/06/2026

"Pisa Crabs"

These past two weeks have been truly amazing seeing blue crabs along our coast, first a blue spider crab (I've popped a video in my stories) and then on Sunday I bumped into this little beauty.

I wasn't sure what species it was as it was so much smaller than a spider crab and the shape of it's shell is different. A huge thanks to Sarah from Dorset Wildlife Trust who said it could be a "Pisa Crab."

Pisa Crabs are both the Four Horned Spider Crab and the Gibb's Spider Crab which are known for decorating their shells with seaweed for camouflage. You can easily see this here at the front.

This is probably a Four Horned Spider Crab and usually hard to find because of their prominent camouflague and smaller size, but can be seen around our coastline. It grows up to 6 cms and has a pear shaped carapace.

Have you seen one? I'd love to know more about it.

17/06/2026

"Disco Shrimp"

It may have been grey and rainy yesterday but this little shrimp was born to boogie 🕺🪩

Did you know that shrimp can change their colours to blend in with their surroundings? Their special colour changing cels are called chromatophores

Did you know that they are perfect ocean cleaning omnivores feeding on both plant and decaying matter?

Hands up who loves this disco shrimp energy?

Click on the image for the full picture and don't forget the sound 😊

16/06/2026

"Sunshine and Snorkels"

I just can't say enough how incredible it was being back in the water on Sunday and the marine life just blew me away.

From huge sea hares to rock goby's, juvenile pollack, the tiniest juvenile crabs, baby wrasse, Blennies, and another blue crab found, it was the perfect afternoon to return to my love of our coast 💙

As usual I'll share some cool facts about each creature in my stories.

Hope you all have a lovely day - Maria x

15/06/2026

"One Less Net, Future Lives Saved"

What could be better than one snorkel yesterday, two of course and back to checking Swanage Bay yesterday evening for lost crabbing nets.

I almost breathed the hughest sigh of relief thinking that there wasn't any, but I found 5 of them, 2 I have to return for but they're securely safely until I get back later today.

You can really see clearly here why they're such a danger like Flying Rings to seals. Once the netting breaks and degrades, it exposes a bare ring, and once it gets caught in stormy weather and drifts off to sea, it can easily get caught on a marine creature who wouldn't be able to remove it.

I really hope that others pick up on this so that more nets can be recovered before it's too late.

14/06/2026

"Nature's Reset Button"

Finding peace between the waves and the cliffs 💕

12/06/2026

"West Bay Wanderings 💕"

Where the Jurassic Coast meets endless sea views 💕

After a traumatic couple of days with the anniversary of losing mum and dad, going to court to plead for help after my NHS injuries from saving a patient from falling out of bed at 2 am, I just needed to get away 😔

And West Bay proved a perfect choice on the bus 🚌

Someone shouted "it's the snorkelling lady" as soon as I got off the bus 😂 and the Dorset views delivered as always of the golden cliffs which I hadn't seen since covering Bridport Hospital's shortages in 2020 💕

I found a copy of the brilliant The West Dorset Magazine and managed to say "NO" to ice-cream 🍦

The hughest thank you to Simon, Lou and Sarah for making me smile today and chatting snorkelling 🤿. Hope to sea you all again soon xx

12/06/2026

Isn't this incredible? Have you seen one?

The UK is experiencing its biggest common octopus bloom in more than 75 years, with sightings across the south coast including Dorset. 🐙

Scientists believe these fascinating creatures originally arrived from the waters around the Channel Islands and northern France, carried into UK waters by ocean currents. Now, they're not just visiting - they're breeding here too. Eggs and juvenile octopuses are being spotted, suggesting the species is becoming established in our seas.

The common octopus joins a growing list of marine species that were once rare or unknown in Dorset waters, including the anemone shrimp, black-faced blenny, john dory, and even Atlantic bluefin tuna.

Have you seen an octopus while exploring Dorset's coastline? Share your sightings below! 👇🌊 ~ Hayley

[email protected]

📷 Paul Pettitt

10/06/2026

All I can say today is that I really hope that The Wildlife Trusts can help to create positive change for our oceans.

Bycatch is something I've witnessed since 2004, a sealion with a rope around it's neck, seeing a manta ray caught in a ghost net underwater and seeing a local dolphin here in Swanage trapped by his tail on a mooring in the bay.

Every small action can help, from signing petitions to choosing sustainable fish sources.

Thank you to everyone who helps 🙏

Today a new report has revealed the devastating impact bycatch is having on marine wildlife in UK seas.

Bycatch is the accidental capture of non-target animals during fishing operations. The numbers are deeply concerning.

Every year, bycatch is impacting:
🐦 Over 10,000 seabirds
🐬 More than 1,000 whales and dolphins
🦭 Around 500 seals
🦈 Over 120 tonnes of protected sharks, skates and rays
🐟 More than 1,000 endangered Atlantic salmon

Ministers must act urgently with stronger protections, mandatory monitoring and legally binding Bycatch Action Plans before more wildlife is lost.

Read the full report here 👉 https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/blog/marine/caught-net-ending-bycatch-uk-seas

09/06/2026

"Tiny, Vibrant and Impossible to Miss"

Candy Stripe Flatworms grow up to 5 cms long and although they look similar, are not related to sea slugs. Because they're flat, oxygen and nutrients simply diffuse directly into their tissues.

They're common around the southern and western coasts, hiding under rocks or in kelp holdfasts.

The tentacles on their head are covered in clusters of simple eyespots to help them hunt for food in the dark. Their food and waste goes in and out of the same opening, and they love to feast on lightbulb sea squirts and other small organisms.

Did you know that they're hermaphrodites? They lay small batches of eggs in gelatinous masses which develop directly into miniature adults.

Have you found one? I'd love to hear your stories ☺️