Get salty at home
Sometimes all it takes is a good story, a fascinating fact or a fresh perspective to help you see Plymouth Sound differently.
This is your one-stop salty suggestions to help you get curious over ocean wildlife and maritime heritage!
Learn a salty sign
Did you know Plymouth Sound National Marine Park has helped create a collection of British Sign Language signs for species found in Plymouth Sound?
Through the Project MUFFIN partnership, you can learn signs for marine animals and plants that call the National Marine Park home. From crabs and jellyfish to seahorses and seals, it’s a fun way to learn something new while making conversations about the sea more accessible.
Whether you learn one sign or all of them, every salty step counts.
Read ‘Letters to the Sea’
Looking for something thoughtful to curl up with on a dark autumn or winter evening?
Inspired by the question “If you could write a letter to the sea, what would it say?”, Letters to the Sea brings together voices from across Plymouth and beyond, sharing memories, stories and reflections from more than 4,000 responses collected over two years.
Created by former Plymouth Laureate of Words, Dr Rosemarie Corlett, the anthology grew from the Planet Ocean exhibition at The Box and celebrates the many ways people connect with the sea.
It’s local, inspiring and full of stories that encourage you to reflect on your own relationship with Plymouth Sound.
Discover Plymouth’s Maritime Story
Plymouth’s history is inseparable from the sea, and there’s no better place to explore that story than The Box.
From famous voyages and shipwrecks to migration, naval history and the people who helped shape Plymouth, its galleries bring centuries of maritime heritage to life. Explore exhibitions, discover fascinating objects and uncover the stories that started right here on the waterfront.
Take your time, follow your curiosity and see how the sea has shaped the city you know today.
Salty Watchlist
Sometimes the easiest way to connect with the ocean is from the comfort of your sofa.
Hunker down, get cosy and watch one… or all of the documentaries below that celebrate marine life, showcase incredible underwater worlds and remind us why our seas are worth caring for.
Documentary Series
- Blue Planet, The groundbreaking series that introduced millions of people to the wonders of the world’s oceans. From deep-sea creatures to coral reefs, it remains one of the most influential natural history programmes ever made.
- Blue Planet II, Taking viewers even deeper into the ocean, this award-winning follow-up explores everything from bustling coral reefs to mysterious deep-sea environments. The series is widely credited with inspiring greater awareness of plastic pollution and marine conservation.
- Planet Earth III, While not exclusively focused on the sea, several episodes showcase extraordinary marine environments and the wildlife that depends on them.
- Secrets of the Whales, A fascinating look into the lives, behaviours and cultures of whales living across the world’s oceans.
- Our Oceans, A series exploring different oceans around the planet and the remarkable wildlife, ecosystems and stories found within them.
Documentary Films
- My Octopus Teacher, An Oscar-winning documentary following an unlikely friendship between a filmmaker and a wild octopus.
- Mission Blue, The story of marine biologist Sylvia Earle and her mission to protect the world’s oceans.
- Puff: Wonders of the Reef, A family-friendly film following the life of a tiny pufferfish on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
Share what you’ve learned
Discovered a new favourite documentary? Learned your first Salty Sign? Found a fascinating story at The Box?
Tell us about it. Share your discoveries on social media and tag Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.
You never know, your recommendation might inspire someone else to take their next salty step.
Looking for more inspiration? Head back to the Salty Scale and discover more ways to connect with Plymouth Sound all year round.