Water Safety

Plymouth Sound is the perfect location to enjoy being out on the water. Whether you’d like to go for a swim or explore the sound by stand up paddle boarding or kayaking, it’s very important to stay safe by following some simple guidance.

Top tips to enjoy the water safely

  • Know the basics of swimming, and always swim within your capabilities.
  • Bring a friend so you’re not alone.
  • Wear brightly coloured swim cap and use a tow float, and a buoyancy aid and leash during paddle boarding.
  • Consider wearing a wetsuit.
  • Be aware of strong tidal currents.
  • Be aware of where you can swim.

Finally, if in doubt do not go out! It does not matter how prepared or experienced you are, if in doubt do not go out. There is no shame in leaving the water straight away or not going in.

Useful resources for water users

The waters of Plymouth Sound are already home to a complex and diverse mix of uses – from naval and commercial ports to diving and fishing – which work effectively alongside some of the most highly protected areas designated for wildlife in the UK. Through our common endeavours these uses and strong partnerships will be respected and importantly developed further.

Swim zones

Plymouth sea conditions

Plymouth tidal times

Shipping movements and notices

Bathing water quality for Plymouth Hoe East and Plymouth Hoe West

Environmental Designations

Navigation and Anchoring 

Regulated fishing areas

Bathing water sites

There’s many swimming spots in Plymouth that are bathing water areas, including Firestone Bay, Bovisand, Kingsand, Cawsand, Tinside W, Tinside E.

Check out the bathing water quality map for more details.

Cold water shock

Cold water shock can occur when your enter in water below 15 degrees. The average temperate of sea water in the UK is just 12 degrees.

Cold water shock causes the blood vessels in the skin to close, which increases the resistance of blood flow along with an increased heart rate. The heart begins to work harder, and can lead to heart attacks, even in the relatively young and healthy.

The sudden cooling of the skin by cold water also causes an involuntary gasp for breath.

All these responses contribute to a feeling of panic, increasing the chance of inhaling water directly into the lungs.

The RNLI recommends these 3 things if you enter the water unexpectedly:

  • Take a minute. The initial effects of cold water pass in less than a minute so don’t try to swim straight away.
  • Relax and float on your back to catch your breath. Try to get hold of something that will help you float.
  • Keep calm then call for help or swim for safety if you’re able.

For more information on safety in the water, visit rnli.org/safety

The Royal Lifesaving Society has created the water safety code which is vital for everyone to abide by near the water. It’s a simple and memorable way of knowing what to do in an emergency and proactive ways to avoid danger. Download below.

“In the past Plymouth launched many great voyages that changed the history of the world. It is my hope that, in the future, people will look back at Plymouth as the ocean innovator that set the standard for National Marine Parks in Britain and across the globe.”

Lewis Pugh, UN Patron of the Oceans and Ambassador of Plymouth Sound National Marine Park

Follow us on Instagram

Everyone’s invited to a free ‘pop-up’ creative light installation experience in Plymouth City Centre this half term from 15-17 February 🤩 🙌

Supported by the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, the installation celebrates our city's connection to the ocean.

Keep the little ones occupied with a free children’s arts and crafts workshops on Thursday and Friday from 4-6pm 🖌️ 🎨

🔗 Link in bio for more info (Events)

@cultureisalive
@plymouthcitycouncil
@plymcitycentre

#PSNMP #PlymouthSoundNationalMarinePark #PlymouthEvents #PlymouthCityCentre #Coast2024 #BritainsOceanCity
...

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£1.8 million of Youth Investment Fund has been awarded to our gateway partner, Tinside Lido! 🥳

This will bring massive transformations that will benefit Plymouth youths, citizens and visitors alike.

Head to 🔗Link in bio for the full article - (News & Blogs)

@plymouthactiveleisure @tinsidelido
#PlymouthSoundNationalMarinePark #TinsideLido #YouthInvestmentFund #PSNMP #PlymouthSoundNMP
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Check out a list of vacancies based around our National Marine Park!🌊
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#PlymouthSoundNMP #BlueEconomy #Marine #Maritime #Plymouth #Devon #PlymouthJobs #DevonJobs #HeritageHorizon #MarineJobs #PSNMP #Coast2024 #MyNationalMarinePark #SouthwestIsBest
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We are SO excited to announce that our NEW podcast is now live! 🙌 🤩

Tune into episode 1 of 'Sounds Amazing' where Elaine and Tudor touch on how Plymouth Sound became designated the UK's first - and so far only - Marine Park.

Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts - 🔗 link in bio

@heritagefunduk @freshairstudios
#HeritageHorizon #ThanksToNationalLotteryPlayers #PSNMP #PlymouthSoundNationalMarinePark #PlymouthSoundNMP #OurNationalMarinePark #NewPodcast #Podcast
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A fly through of what’s in store for 2024 🚀 🌊

@oceanconvservationtrust
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@mountbattencentre
@mountedgcumbe
@heritagefunduk

#PSNMP
#BritainsOceanCity
#ThanksToNationalLotteryPlayers
...

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📣 Exciting news 🤩
We’re launching our very own podcast - Sounds Amazing - next week! Make sure you tune in to hear about how Plymouth became home to the UK’s first National Marine Park.

@heritagefunduk
#PSNMP
#BritainsOceanCity
#SoundsAmazing
#ThanksToNationalLotteryPlayers
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In case you missed our exciting news yesterday, here's a recap! 🌊💙 #ThanksToNationalLotteryPlayers

We secured £11.6m of funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund! @heritagefunduk

@oceanconservationtrust
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@mountbattencentre
@mountedgcumbe

#Excited #PSNMP #PlymouthSound #PlymouthSoundNMP #PlymouthSoundNationalMarinePark
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🥳We did it!🥳

We've been awarded £11.6m from The National Lottery Heritage Fund @heritagefunduk to deliver the UK's first National Marine Park!

@oceanconservationtrust
@plymouthactiveleisure
@mountbattencentre
@mountedgcumbe

🔗Link in bio for the full news article

#ThanksToNationalLotteryPlayers #PSNMP #UKFirst #HsitoricMoment #BritiansOceanCity #HeritageHorizon #PlymouthSound #PlymouthSoundNMP #PlymouthSoundNationalMarinePark #OurNationalMarinePark
...

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🎉 WE DID IT 🥳

We’re super excited to announce that Plymouth has been successful in its bid to secure £11.6m from @heritagefunduk to deliver a transformational five-year programme. 🎊

In a UK first, our National Marine Park will create a blueprint for future models, ensuring that people and planet come together to realise a new and sustainable relationship with the sea. 🌊

Read the full article! Link in bio🔗

@oceanconservationtrust
@mountbattencentre
@plymouthactiveleisure
@mountedgcumbe

#PSNMP #PlymouthSoundNMP #MyNationalMarinePark #HeritageHorizon #SouthWestIsBest
...

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Common Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) are fierce predators in our National Marine Park. They have on-demand changing camouflage, beak-like jaws and eight 'arms' with two tentacles around the mouth.

Common Cuttlefish makes light work of crabs, fish and even small cuttlefish. They don't fancy us humans though so you'll be safe to watch them being cool 😎

If you'd like your images featured on our feed, upload them on the 'Scenes of the Sound' section of our website.
🔗Link in bio

📸 Stephen Geoffrey Porter
📍 Plymouth Sound

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...

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A cracking heavenly light on our breakwater! 😮😍

If you'd like your images featured on our feed, upload them on the 'Scenes of the Sound' section of our website.
🔗Link in bio

📸 @virtualwill
📍 Plymouth Breakwater

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This cold weather won't stop Plymouth's sea swimmers 💪🌊 Well done you brave people!

If you'd like your images featured on our feed, upload them on the 'Scenes of the Sound' section of our website.
🔗Link in bio / head to our website

📍 Plymouth Hoe
📸 @extremexstitch

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🌊Scenes of the Sound🌊

A brilliant photo of a Snakelocks Anemone. They may look beautiful and harmless but don't touch! They can release tiny barbs that have proven very irritating if you get them in your eyes 👀

If you'd like your images featured on our feed, upload them on the 'Scenes of the Sound' section of our website.
🔗Link in bio / head to our website

📸 @eleanor_goodall
📍 Mount Batten Beach

#PSNMP #PlymouthSoundNMP #Coast2023 #MyNationalMarinePark #HeritageHorizon #MountBatten #MountBattenBeach #MountBattenBay #Sealife #PlymouthWildlife #Rockpooling #Rockpool #Anenome
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A dramatic sky over our National Marine Park. Maybe the wind will blow in some more glorious sunshine? ☀️

If you'd like your images featured on our feed, upload them on the 'Scenes of the Sound' section of our website.
🔗Link in bio

📸 @virtualwill
📍 Plymouth Breakwater

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This striking character is a male Corkwing Wrasse (Symphodus melops) and is carrying seaweed to an elaborate nest that he's working on.

This Corkwing Wrasse is well in season (photo taken in spring/summer) with his bright colouration 🌈

If you'd like your images featured on our feed, upload them on the 'Scenes of the Sound' section of our website.
🔗Link in bio

📸 @paulnaylormarinephoto
📍 Plymouth Sound

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