The Dorset Coast: Life on the Water
With Poole Harbour, Sandbanks and the Jurassic Coast on our doorstep, we explore what makes life on the water such a special part of Dorset living.
There is something about Dorset that makes you want to get on the water.
Perhaps it is the feeling of leaving the harbour behind, the wind catching the sails, or simply drifting across the water with nowhere else you need to be. From Poole Harbour and Sandbanks to the Jurassic Coast, the sea is not simply part of the scenery here — it is part of the lifestyle.
And there are countless ways to enjoy it.
Slow Days on the Water
Not every day needs to be adventurous.
A paddleboard across Poole Harbour, a quiet kayak around the islands or an afternoon spent swimming from the beach can be enough. The water has a way of slowing everything down, particularly when the sun is out and the harbour is calm.
For beginners, the sheltered waters around Poole are particularly inviting, with opportunities for paddleboarding, kayaking and sailing.
For the Adventurous
Then there are the days when you want a little more excitement.
Sailing, windsurfing, wing foiling, kitesurfing and powerboating all have their place along the Dorset coast. Further west, the Jurassic Coast opens up opportunities for kayaking, coasteering, RIB trips and other ways to experience the coastline from sea level.
There is something particularly memorable about seeing places such as Old Harry Rocks and Durdle Door from the water rather than from the cliff tops.
The Dorset Way of Life
For many people who live here, the attraction isn't necessarily about becoming an expert sailor or taking up a new sport.
It's the freedom of having the water close by.
A morning paddle before work. A swim after lunch. Taking the boat out for the afternoon. Watching the sunset from the harbour. Or simply sitting beside the water with a coffee and feeling that, for a moment, there is nowhere else you need to be.
That is perhaps what makes the Dorset coast so special.
The water is always there, and there is always another way to enjoy it.
ASK DE
Whether you're looking to try a new watersport, organise a day on the water, plan a private boat trip or simply discover a different side of Dorset, DE & Co can help create the experience.