jncc.gov.uk · Official
Official site account for the Bracklesham Bay fossil locality.
Fossil Beds
Low-tide fossil hunting on Bracklesham Bay foreshore.
Hangout SeshFreedivingScuba DivingSnorkelingShoreBeginner0m - 2m
Reef
Shallow shore site where falling tides expose shark and ray teeth, shells, and other Eocene fossils along an easy sandy beach.
About Fossil Beds
Fossil Beds sits on the sandy foreshore at Bracklesham Bay, where falling tides expose Eocene clay beds and loose fossils across a broad, easy beach. The site rewards a slow search with a sieve or careful hand-picking, especially when scouring conditions open the shell hash and reveal shark and ray teeth, shells, and other marine fossils before the water returns.
Safety & Access
Site Conditions
Waves
Safety Notes
Watch the tide and soft clay, and give the beach time to clear before the water returns.
Access Restrictions
The best collecting window is tide-limited, and the open foreshore should be worked only where it is exposed and stable.
Legal Notes
Bracklesham Bay is an SSSI, so keep collecting light, follow local code-of-conduct guidance, and avoid damaging exposed clay.
Where Is Fossil Beds?
Featured Operators
Loading local operators…
Local Intel For Fossil Beds
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
This is a very shallow shore search rather than a classic deep profile; the main work is on the foreshore with tide awareness.
Freediving
Freedivers get the simplest version of the site: shallow water, sandy patches, and exposed clay when the tide pulls back.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling works best in calm, shallow water near the foreshore and around scoured shell hash.
Chill / Non-diver
A casual fossil walk with simple logistics: park, walk to the shore, and search the sand at low tide.
Wildlife at Fossil Beds
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Research Estimate At Fossil Beds
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
Access5/5 · Easy entry
Aquatic Life2/5 · Some life
Facilities4/5 · Good facilities
Crowd / PopularityQuite busy
CurrentNo current
