Snorkelling on St Martin’s, Isles of Scilly, with Dr Malcolm Nimmo
- Anna Browne
- Aug 31
- 3 min read
Why an award-winning underwater photographer loves snorkelling on St Martin’s
The snorkelling around St Martin’s is some of the best in the UK. Crystal clear waters, rocky outcrops, seaweed forests, and seagrass beds provide many habitats for a diverse range of marine life. Snorkelling is fun, easily accessible and there’s so much to see close to the shore.
Award-winning underwater photographer Dr Malcolm Nimmo has been diving and snorkelling the island of St Martin’s for over twenty years. Malcolm has had successful images in the Underwater Photographer of the Year competition over recent years. His images have been published in various media including books. Recent contributions include Coastal Seas by Frances Dipper and Paul Naylor. One of Malcolm's images has been part of the international exhibition in Germany titled the Planet Ocean. In this conversation, we asked him to share with us what it is he loves about snorkelling on St Martin’s.
Why did you become a diver?
I developed a passion for the marine environment from childhood. As with many people of my age, I was brought up with the Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau. These episodes were a great inspiration, developing my curiosity for this alien world.
My love for the oceans inspired me to study Oceanography to Degree and Doctorate level at Liverpool University. I learnt to dive with the University dive club in 1984 - I needed to experience at first hand such a fascinating environment. I also joined the University Octopush team where I developed snorkelling skills which became second nature.
Why did you start snorkelling on St Martin’s?
I was first introduced to the wonderful colours, abundance and diversity of the Scillonian marine life in the late 90s whilst diving with Tim Allsop. Since then I have been back every year spending several weeks both diving and snorkelling around these rich waters, often spending hours in the water captivated by the wonderful and colourful scenes.
Being an underwater photographer, snorkelling gives me numerous opportunities to find subjects from the majestic jellyfish being transported with the incoming tide to communities living within kelp forests, seagrass meadows and the benthic region, all very accessible at low water.
Where is your favourite snorkelling site on St Martin’s?
My favourite snorkelling site is Great Bay. If you have good visibility and sunlight, you are immediately transformed to a colourful, aquarium-like scene. Snorkelling at either high and low waters can lead to captivating finds.
High water often sees the influx of various jellyfish, including the vivid blue jelly, and the compass jellyfish often with small fry taking refuges in its trailing stinging cells.
Every year brings something new to the keen snorkeler. Last year huge numbers of mauve stingers visited the Islands. The previous few years the elusive crystal jellyfish made its appearance in Scillonian waters.
What's the most unusual creature you've encountered
You never know what you might observe until you enter the water. Perhaps my most unusual encounter was during August 2020 when for several days a soupy mix of planktonic species arrived with the currents. The variety of species included significant numbers of tiny free-swimming gastropods, called sea angels (no more than a cm in length). It was the first and only time I have seen these unusual species in Scillonian waters.
What top tip would you give to someone wanting to go snorkelling on St Martin's?
Perhaps the best advice I can give to those new to snorkelling is to not only scan what’s happening below you (the natural position of viewing). But to constantly look up and down as well as to your sides so nothing is missed drifting past in the water column. Sea gooseberries and comb jellies can often be seen floating mid-water.
Finally, a tough question question, what's your favourite image taken on St Martin's?
I have taken thousands of images of the Scillonian marine life whilst snorkelling but my heart still beats faster every time I get into the water wondering what I will see next. I have many photographs that I am fond of, all of which remind me of this truly magical place.
Trying to select my favourite is a tough ask…but if pressed…. perhaps the one below of a compass jellyfish from Great Bay would be a firm favourite. I love the simple beauty of the humble compass jelly along with a partial surface reflection which can be challenging to achieve.
St Martin’s Watersports hires snorkel sets. If Malcolm’s passion for snorkelling on St Martin’s has inspired you to explore a different side of St Martin’s, you too can have your own underwater snorkelling experience.
To see more fabulous images taken in the shallow waters off St Martin’s, follow Malcolm on Instagram.
Comments