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The three bays of Kimmeridge, Brandy and Worbarrow form a Voluntary Marine Nature Reserve. The beautiful coastline
- Worbarrow in particular has been called the most beautiful bay in the country - provides a variety of habitats
and consequently a wide variety of flora and fauna.
 Kimmeridge Bay in particular, because of its shallow waters and extended low tides, is of
particular interest to those interested in marine life.
In its shallow waters you may come across a lobster - blue in colour, the red it is associated with comes after
cooking. Edible crabs can also be found among the colourful sponges. Kimmeridge Bay is so shallow it is
like a huge rock pool and many are those who use a snorkel to see what is below the surface.
 However there is plenty to see without a snorkel along the shoreline. Here there are more delicate, coral-like
seaweeds and the much more invasive japweed which first arrived in the 70s and which has defied all attempts at
eradication. Also watch out here for the snakelocks anemone whose sting can even be felt by people on more
sensitive parts of the body.There are large numbers of crabs to be found here as well. Look out in particular for
the Velvet Swimming Crab with its bright red eyes. Don’t argue with it though. It moves faster than you
can and takes on all comers!
Even further up the shore of Kimmeridge Bay you will find those species which more readily adapt to drier conditions
- limpets and barnacles live alongside the Beadlet Amenone which, out of water, looks like a blob of jelly
but opens like a flower when submerged and does slow but deadly battle with those of the same species. Look out
for the shore crab - another resident of Kimmeridge Bay - who may be found lurking under fronds of seaweed hiding
from its predators. Every so often it outgrows its armour-like shell and you may see some discarded ones which
are often mistaken for dead crabs.
Again, even further up the shore, there is life. Certain types of seaweed such as Channel Wrack are so
dry and brittle they seem dead until revived by the sea which may reach them here only rarely.
It is the tidal system at Kimmeridge which allows for such variety. The tables for Portland will give precise
times but the best tides are in the spring (March to May) and comes just after the full and new moons when low
water will be at about 12 noon and about three quarters of an hour later over each of the next few days.
More is to be found away from the shoreline at Kimmeridge. Many of the birds we think of when we think of Purbeck
- oystercatchers, buzzards, redstarts etc - all make an appearance. There are also many butterflies of note including
the local Lulworth Skipper. Also in the Kimmeridge shales you may chance upon some fossils - some of which
are suitable for rubbing though it should be remembered that it is dangerous to wander onto the unstable cliffs.
Apart from all the wildlife Kimmeridge is a great place for recreational pursuits. Swim or stroll along the
beach. Fishing or diving along the Underwater Nature Trail and when the surf is up and it is windy enough come
and see the windsurfers as they shoot across Kimmeridge Bay and leap over the waves.
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