description Chesil Cove Overview
Chesil Cove is located at the southern end of Chesil Beach, a 29-kilometer shingle tombolo on Dorset's Jurassic Coast. The cove sits at the Isle of Portland's southern tip and is characterized by steeply sloping pebble beaches rather than sand, making swimming hazardous due to sudden depth changes and strong currents. Historically, Chesil Beach provided a natural barrier protecting the Fleet, a brackish lagoon behind it, and served as a site of maritime disasters, with numerous shipwrecks recorded along this stretch of coastline, particularly during storms.
insights Ranking position
Chesil Cove ranks #90 of 223 in the Cove ranking, behind Gunwalloe Cove, ahead of Cala Pi.
help Chesil Cove FAQ
Where is Chesil Cove located?
Chesil Cove is located at the southern end of Chesil Beach, a massive 29-kilometer shingle tombolo situated on Dorset's Jurassic Coast. It sits right at the southern tip of the Isle of Portland.
Is Chesil Cove a sandy beach?
No, Chesil Cove is characterized by steeply sloping pebble beaches rather than sand, typical of the larger Chesil Beach formation. The pebbles are smoothly graded by size, becoming larger as you move further southeast.
Is it safe to swim at Chesil Cove?
Swimming at Chesil Cove is considered highly hazardous due to a steep underwater shelf and powerful, unpredictable currents. The water depth drops off very quickly, and large waves frequently crash directly onto the steep shingle.
Is Chesil Cove good for scuba diving?
Despite the swimming hazards, the cove is a popular site for scuba diving because of its rich marine life and underwater reefs. The clear waters are home to crabs, lobsters, and colorful nudibranchs, though divers must be cautious of boat traffic.
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