Seas and coasts

Scotland's long coastline has a rich diversity of places and wildlife to enjoy! Choose from the great variety of marine-based activities available round Scotland's coasts, such as birdwatching, sailing, kayaking and diving. Or why not spend a day with family and friends, flying a kite, having a picnic or just walking your dog along our beautiful coastline?

On the coast

Have you visited our coastal National Nature Reserves  ?  Or you could take a walk along one of the many coastal pathways. Want to know the best beaches to visit? Then check out Scotland's award-winning beaches at Keep Scotland Beautiful  .

On the sea

A day out on the water can be an exciting adventure. If you have your own boat, kayak or canoe you can explore the coastline at your leisure. If not, there are lots of places where you can hire a boat, or take part in an organised trip. Find out about the variety of watersports activities here. The Green Blue    website provides practical advice and information on sustainable watersports and boating.

Wildlife tours

It is always exciting to catch a glimpse of marine wildlife, such as dolphins, puffins and basking sharks while out on the water or along the coast. The Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code  will help you get the most out of your wildlife watching experience. A wildlife watching tour can be a great way to see marine animals and to learn more about them. Tour operators can gain accreditation though the WiSe training scheme    to ensure that they know the best ways to watch wildlife without disturbing the animals so look out for the WiSe logo when you choose your tour or contact Wild Scotland  for more information.

Under the sea

Want to explore beneath the waves, and get closer to our seabed creatures and habitats? Scotland has numerous fantastic dive spots, including shipwrecks and exciting underwater landscapes. To find out more about training, events and local clubs near you, visit the Scottish Sub-Aqua Club  or the British Sub-Aqua Club  . If you are already a diver and would like to contribute towards protecting the marine environment, why not get involved with Seasearch  ?