Fishcombe

While this site does boast great facilities with its toilets and beach cafe, there is one large downside in the shape of the steep parking and even steeper hill you have to walk down to get to the beach. Spearo's or snorkellers with light kit won't find it a problem, but put on cylinders or bring a kayak along and you'll be wishing there was an elevator there! (Kayakers can launch at Freshwater Cove or the harbour & paddle round) Because of the sheltered nature of the cove and it's facilities this place gets very busy with boat owners in the summer months, and I would not recommend you try to dive/snorkel here in high season.

On the Eastward side of the cove (as you stand with the cafe behind you, look right) is a set of steps down into the water which make for an easy kitting up spot & safe entry/exit point. We'll start this guide here and head round the site in an anti-clockwise direction. So once you're down the steps and in the water keep the rocks on your right and slowly swim along over the boulders & sand which will have plenty of Goldsinney wrasse and Two Spot Gobys darting around the place. Some of the larger rocky outcrops have slight overhangs which have some small encrusting sponges and ascidians lurking there.

After 150yards of following the rock at about 6 - 7m at high tide, you will start to turn the corner and head in towards the harbour at Brixham. Going further might put you into the path of lots of boats and fishermen so at this part of the dive you should turn round and head due West to aim at Fishcombe Point over the other side of the cove.

Stay on this heading and you'll soon leave the sand behind and the sea-bed will become more mudy and silty. This will hide a few scallops and brittle stars as well as the odd Edible Crab. Sadly because of the popularity of this place with boating enthusiasts you will encounter quite a lot of rubbish here. Half way to the point you will pass the deepest part of the dive at about 10m. The depth soon lessens and you'll start to see the rocks of Fishcombe point poking up through the mud. On the rocks look out for Boring Sponge, Snakelocks Anemones and more ascidians.

Once you get to the larger rocks and gullies of the point, you can go right to swim around the point and into Torbay (remembering your bearing so you can get back!) or left around the rock and into the cove. Turn left and swim round the rocks for about 20m, then head due South and you will encounter one of Torbay's sea-grass beds. Though not the largest (or healthiest) this one is still hope to lots of critters; hermit crabs, nudibranchs and cuttlefish to name a few. You'll be in fairly shallow 6 - 7m water now, and when it starts to get even shallower, heading due East will eventually take you back to roughly where you started.

For me the most interesting section of this dive is the initial swim along the rocks from the steps, it's also the 'cleanest' part because it's over sand and not mud and offers quite a few nooks and crannies for the usual UK marine life.

So if you're desperate to get wet and everywhere else is blown out (and before the churned up water makes it's way into this cove) this is perhaps your last resort. Enjoy!
 

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