ALL DORSET COURSES FOR 2024 ARE ON HOLD AS OUR INSTRUCTORS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE – PLEASE SEE CORNWALL COURSES
The Dorset coast is one of the best areas of the UK for spearfishing with a wide variety of species and habitats, giving you plenty of opportunities to bring home fresh seafood for the table. Our courses will train you to make the most of the terrain and teach you the best hunting techniques to use along this area of the south coast.
Donโt worry if you arenโt able to freedive: plenty of fish such as Mullet, Bass, Garfish and Mackerel can be seen and shot from the surface, provided that you can master the art of shallow water stalking. This is a rewarding and fun way to hunt – we will teach this technique on the courses, and teach you how to freedive so you can hunt deeper and access more species like Pollack and Flatfish.
Spearfishing UK offer you a unique experience through spearfishing courses and experience days to be at one with nature, freediving and spearfishing in and around the beautiful clear waters of the Dorset Coastline. There is nothing more satisfying than hunting and foraging for food whilst being immersed in water under one breath hold.
Spearfishing is ethical, sustainable and does not impact on the biodiversity of marine life like other fishing practices can do. Due to the beauty of you sighting and targeting your own species, there is no damage to life that are not desired for the table. You are not using indiscriminate nets or traps that would otherwise single out species undersized or not required for your hunt. You are simply armed with a spear gun and focusing on the object of your pursuit.
Dorset is a popular area for spearfishing and thus a significant number of the UKโs top spearos are based in the area. The reason for its popularity is for its hidden gems: secluded coves, thriving reefs and its bio diversity of fish and invertebrates.
The Dorset coastline is also home to pipefish, triggerfish, dolphins, porbeagle sharks and seals to name a few. So plentiful marine life to observe or even join you on your spearfishing adventure.
The biggest attractions in Dorset for spearos are obviously the fish; mainly Bass and Mullet which can often be encountered in very shallow water and caught from the surface. The other attraction is Dorsetโs diverse and many beaches that cater for all levels of experience from beginner (safe shallow reefs) to the more experienced and competent divers (deeper reefs and tidal kelp beds). You often hear of Dorset spearos catching double figure bass and decent sized Bream on the deeper reefs.
Top Dorset locations for spearfishing
Spearfishing Portland Harbour
Portland harbour is an ideal location for the complete novice to the moderately experienced spearo. The vast majority of the harbour has very little tidal movement and is sheltered from the prevailing South West winds making it a relatively safe relaxing dive. Portland harbour offers safe and easy access to the water and with its numerous beaches opens the opportunity to hunt for an array of target species. These may include lobsters, spider crabs, edibleย crabs, scallops, mussels, prawns/shrimps, razor clams, bass, mullet, pollock, black and gilt head bream, plaice, dabs, flounder, sole, turbot, brill, and if you are lucky, even an angler fish (monk fish). The other great advantage of the harbour is its close proximity to the town centre of Weymouth, a thriving coastal town which benefits from its own train station, Blue Flag awards, and great shopping potential if the family have come along to join you for the adventure too!
Spearfishing Church Ope Cove
With its quirky pirateโs graveyard and long winding steps, it offers a beautiful scenic and safe dive for the intermediate or fit, confident beginner. ย Hunting in the shallow kelp beds, diving the deep, rocky terrain, or hunting flatfish over the sandy bottom, the choice is yours! Church Ope Cove offers variety and interest to suit all. I would highly recommend the Cove for stealth hunting in the shallows targeting large mullet, and the sandy open water for some specimen sized Sole. The small town of Easton is situated just above the beach and offers plenty of pubs, shops and even a museum to keep all the family occupied.
Spearfishing Portland Bill
Portland Bill offers adrenaline-fueled deep-water dives that are not for the inexperienced or faint hearted. With descents of up to 30 meters, your body will endure some extreme physiological changes; however, this can often be rewarded with some once-in-a-lifetime catches. Portland Bill is known for its savage currents and tides, and is not recommended unless you know the area well. It is often dived by boat for safety. Bass have been seen up to 20lb(!) and Pollack not far off this size. To add to all the previous species discussed at Portland, you can also experience sightings of tuna and Porbeagle sharks. Portland itself offers a somewhat quirky tourist experience, with its traditional public houses, stone quarries, museums, military areas and the landmark Portland Bill lighthouse.
Points of Interest in Dorset
The Jurassic Coastline is situated along the heart of the Dorset coastline; Charmouth beach is the focal point for many a dinosaur fossil find of significance.
Chesil Beach is a dramatic shingle bank that stretches for 16 miles. It is very popular with anglers and families alike due to its accessibility and mackerel shoals which frequent the shores in the summer months.
Kimmeridge Bay
Kimmeridge Bay lies within the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve which is a voluntary no take zone and if rock pooling takes you back to your childhood, then this is the place to visit due to its shallow waters and ease of access to those rocky creepy crawlies! ย During the summer months, it boasts excellent dives sites including the Underwater Nature Trail. Visibility is excellent due to its lack of sand coupled with a lack of tide and not much current. Increasing in the areasโ popularity is windsurfing and surfing so this may appeal to the more adventurous family members. Please note the owners of the Smedmore estate have banned those with spearguns from accessing kimmeridge bay via their land. If you rock up to Kimmeridge Estate with spearfishing kit, expect to be turned away and please abide by their rules, be courteous as there are plenty of other places to spearfish.
Lulworth cove and Durdle door
The Lulworth estate covers 20 square miles, 5 miles of which are world heritage Jurassic coastline. It is home to 60% of the UKโs butterfly species, the estate even has one named after it; the โLulworth Skipperโ. It is also home to the Dartford Warbler and corn Buntings. They do restrict access to the Cove to Spearfishermen through the estate; however as it is private land, so alternative access is required if you want to spear in the area.