jncc.gov.uk · Official
Official site account for the Bracklesham Bay fossil locality.
Dive Spot Guide•
Fossil Beds
Low-tide fossil hunting on Bracklesham Bay foreshore.
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.
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Research Estimate At Fossil Beds
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
AccessEasy entry
Aquatic LifeSome life
FacilitiesGood facilities
Crowd / PopularityQuite busy
CurrentNo current
Where Is Fossil Beds?
This spotNearby spotsExplore nearby spots on the map
Community sourced coordinates.
Fossil Beds Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
0m - 2m
Depth Note
No fixed reef profile; the useful ground is the shallow foreshore where retreating tides expose fossil-bearing sand and clay.
Best Season
Spring and early autumn
Typical Conditions
Flat sandy foreshore, shell hash, scoured patches, and fast-changing windows around low tide after windy weather or winter storms.
Safety & Access At Fossil Beds
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
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.
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.
Recent Logged Visits At Fossil Beds
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Fossil Beds
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
No community dive data has been logged here yet. Be the first to record a dive and seed the averages.
