Scottish Snorkel Festival 2026 expands with inclusive events across Scotland

The weekend of 27-28 June 2026 will bring a wide-ranging programme of snorkelling activities to Scotland, with organisers aiming to make the sport more accessible than ever.

Following the success of the previous Scottish Snorkel Festival, the 2026 edition is set to grow significantly, giving more people the chance to experience Scotland’s celebrated snorkel trail network. What began as a festival centred on Berwickshire’s trails has now broadened to include additional sites in the Moray Firth, reflecting a wider national push to open up coastal adventures to new audiences.

The festival was originally launched through a collaboration involving the Berwickshire Marine Reserve, the Scottish Wildlife Trust and BSAC Snorkel Centres. While Berwickshire Marine Reserve will once again highlight its six established snorkel trails, this year’s programme adds a major new strand in Moray.

New “Snorkelling for All” focus in Moray

A key addition for 2026 is the Snorkelling for All event in Moray, led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust in partnership with BSAC and a wide network of supporting organisations. These include Able2Adventure, Burghead SAC, Culture for Climate Scotland, Friendly Access, Macduff Marine Aquarium, Moray Ocean Community, Saltwater Life, Sea of Senses and the Scottish Sensory Centre.

The event will be based at Hopeman Cove on the Moray Coastal Trail, where activities are being designed to support participation by people of all abilities. Saturday 27 June will focus on snorkelling opportunities for people with physical impairments, while Sunday 28 June will cater for those with sensory impairments. British Sign Language interpreters will also be present to support the weekend’s activities.

A broader weekend of coastal experiences

Beyond guided snorkelling sessions, the weekend will also feature rock pooling, beach walks and beach cleans, creating a broader marine experience for participants and local communities alike. The event coincides with work on a new Snorkelling for All awareness course being developed in partnership with BSAC, with local BSAC clubs and BSAC Snorkel Guides also expected to play an active role.

Promoting inclusion and marine engagement

Elouise Dalziel, Marine Policy Inclusion Officer at the Scottish Wildlife Trust, described the inclusion of Snorkelling for All as an important and exciting step for the festival in 2026.

She said the initiative brings communities together with specialists in marine conservation and outdoor access to mark the launch of the new programme. As part of the Trust’s Sea the Connection project, funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, the aim is to champion inclusive access to Scotland’s seas for people with disabilities and encourage wider participation in conversations around marine policy.

The expanded Scottish Snorkel Festival highlights how snorkelling is increasingly being used not only as a recreational activity, but also as a way to connect more people with Scotland’s coastal environment and inspire stronger involvement in marine conservation.

Published: 21 May 2026