Search Results

We need volunteers to join us on our Shoresearch events around the Selsey area. We are currently monitoring three sites, each has a different feel when exploring. What is Shoresearch? It is a volunteer programme that allows you to take part to help our coasts. The Sussex Shoresearch volunteer program is coordinated by the Sussex Wildlife Trust and forms part of a national programme of Shoresearch recording led by The Wildlife Trusts. Mulberry Marine Experiences are working in partnership with Sussex Wildlife Trust to offer more opportunities for you to take part. The aim is to build a baseline of data on the wildlife that is living in the intertidal ecosystem around Sussex, that can be used to improve understanding and promote conservation. What Happens? The events are timed to coincide with low water so we can conduct a walk over survey recording the species that we find and the habitats where they are living. Each event will last for around 2-3 hours and involve walking, wading and exploration of rocky areas. Who is it suitable for? Suitable for anyone over 12, but all children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. We do offer some junior events for younger children that want to be included, they will be advertised a Junior Shoresearch. Do I need to be an expert in Marine Life? No. All you need is eagle eyes and a sense of adventure. Cameras are welcome and we are happy to arrange events for school groups, and educational facilities All shoresearch events are provide free of charge and run by first aid trained members of the Mulberry team.

Our beaches are full of marine life just waiting for you to discover them; however, it can be small and easy to miss. A Marine Life walk will introduce you to the marine residents of Selsey’s intertidal zone, with insights into their daily life. They are led by a SSI Marine Ecology Instructor who will show you where to look providing information and answering your questions. Featured in The Guardian in 2020 as one of the top ten best activities on our coasts why not come along and find out more. Group and family friendly, walks are suitable for all ages and last about an hour and half. Held at locations around Selsey, West Sussex including Selsey Bill, Selsey Lifeboat Station and on the spits of the mussel beds at East Beach. We do not cover vast distances, but you will be amazed at just how much you will see. Cameras and questions are essential so please bring both! Part treasure hunt, always fun, no two walks are ever the same. We do walk over groynes and shingle to get up close to the marine residents of the intertidal zone. If you are not able to walk on shingle, please ask about how we can deliver this service to suit you. You can keep your feet dry or wear shoes and clothes suitable for a little wading we can introduce you too even more. The choice is yours. All money raised from our Marine Life Walks funds the Ecology and educational work that we conduct, including children's clubs and certifications, beach cleans and surveys, and citizen science work to support local projects and charities. If you would like to arrange a private walk at Selsey, please contact us to discuss your needs, we would be delighted to help, we can even come to beach near you!

The SSI Marine Ecology Course is designed to provide you with a general introduction to the subject of marine ecology. You will look at how marine organisms interact with each other and their environment, the flow of energy through communities, and the link between ocean ecosystems. We look at the way humans interact with the oceans. Allowing us to better understand the effect this has on the complex and balanced ecosystems and measures we can take to protect them. Provided with your courses is an online manual that will provide you with a global overview, then in your academic workshop we will cover unique content that brings all the information together in a UK and Selsey context. Who is suitable for? Anyone aged over six who has an interest in marine ecology. Do I have to get in the water? No this is a land-based course open to everyone with an interest. You have the option to add a Marine Life Walk, snorkel, or shore dive at Selsey, to see first-hand the theories covered in class. Just ask for details of the cost and how to add this to your course when booking. What is included in my course fee? Digital Manual Digital Certification card on completion Digital Mulberry Recognition of the Selsey viewpoint on completion Workshop and presentations across four hours Access to the free Blue Oceans material on registration with SSI. If you want to further your understanding of the oceans and their inhabitants, we offer a range of SSI Ecology courses including, Manta and Ray Ecology, Fish Identification, Coral Identification, Marine Mammal Ecology, Sea Turtle Ecology and Shark Ecology. Cannot decide and want to do them all check out the Ecology Course bundle for a saving. Every course helps us do a little more.

Living in the UK we are surrounded by the sea which contains some beautiful and marvelous marine life. At Mulberry Marine Experiences we are inspired by the love our Junior Ecologists have for the ocean and are passionate about giving them the chance to get involved in a practical, fun way and help them further their knowledge. Starting this February half term, we are offering dedicated Marine Ecology events for the younger ocean lover in your family. Expanding on our work with the successful summer school program these smaller micro events offer them the opportunity to get hands on. Led by SSI Marine Ecology Instructor Anya. With over 20 years of UK experience, she loves nothing more than sharing the incredible facts stuffed into her head and time on the beach. Sessions will initially be offered during school holidays and each one will be 3 hours long. What we will be doing? Exploring our beach, searching for both the life on our shores and evidence of those preferring to live fully under the water. We will have some Beach Bingo fun and then a Junior Eco Warriors feature focusing on how they can help the ocean with an in-depth feature on UK sharks and rays this time around. Children must be over 8 years old if unaccompanied, but adults are welcome to stay and join the fun if that is easier for your child. Any accompanying adults are free so when signing up just pay for the Junior Ecologist! Younger Ecologists welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. An indoor event will be offered if weather means we cannot be on the beach safely and have a little fun. We use the money raised from this and other paid events to sponsor children to learn to SWIM. We could not do it without you so thank you for helping us. Community and water safety is at our core. Who is this suitable for? Children who are interested in the beach and learning more Do they go in the water in February? No, these are beach based dry fun sessions. Where are they held? We use a couple of locations around Selsey so will always confirm at the time of booking where we will be. Do they need to have any experience or understanding? No, the event will be delivered at their level, they just need a sense of fun and to like being outside.

What is a Citizen Science? It is when the public voluntarily helps conduct scientific research. The programmes are designed by scientists and contribute to the knowledge, and well being of our natural environment. At Mulberry Marine Experiences, taking part in these programmes help us to support the Marine Environment, local charities and groups that are working on specific projects to support the waters and inhabitants around the UK. Citizen Science Days will show you how you can turn every beach day into a positive way to help the seas and oceans, they are your chance to make a difference. Why come along? It might be your first time and you are not sure where to start, it could be to help a project you are already supporting further, a chance to find out more about the work that we carry out and meet a group of who people want to have fun whilst helping. We offer days monthly and each day will be made up of several elements including micro beach cleans (specific sites in areas of 100ms), shark and ray egg case recording, kelp recording, intertidal species surveys, and marine interactions including how to act around seals, reporting sightings of healthy and sick animals. There are opportunities for volunteers to take part in water if you want but this optional. For more information on taking part in the water check out our Seasearch Observer Days for snorkellers, freedivers and divers. Each Citizen Science Day will be run by Mulberry staff who are fully first aid trained. Full briefings and equipment will be provided (thank you to COVE Communities who sponsored our beach clean kits) for all land-based activities, if you are taking part in water equipment can be hired. These family friendly days are provided as free community programmes, but we do ask you to enroll below so we can plan staff accordingly. Would you like to volunteer to help us run these dates? Give us a call on 01243 601000. If you are a business looking to get your staff involved, we offer corporate days. Contact us to discuss our well being and environment offering for your employees. Please join us, we cannot do it without you.

Following the success of our classes in 2024 we will be holding water safety classes this summer. We all love time on the beach and cooling down with a dip, however water related instances for the RNLI and Coastguard are on the increase. Reports from 2023 show that 1 in 3 adults and children in the UK cannot comfortably swim just 25 metres in a pool and are nervous about the sea. These courses are designed to raise awareness around all aspects of water safety whilst having fun. Adults, children and family groups are all welcome. We will help each participant understand how to assess a beach before entering the water, including tide and current indicators, explore buoyancy, exposure, get you comfortable with your Float to Live position, look at equipment/toys that helps or hinders and more. The courses are run by SSI Swimming, Snorkelling, Freediving and SCUBA Professionals using their extensive knowledge of the sea to make sure you can enjoy a beach day in comfort and safety. They are half day courses, and we will provide you with all the equipment you need. If you have some favourite beach toys, bring them and we can work them into your course. How old do they need to be to take part? The course is suitable for anyone aged 8 and above. They need to be water confident and swim 25 metres without buoyancy aids. What equipment do they need to take part? A swimming costume, a towel and clothes for after. If they have a mask, snorkel or wet suit they are welcome to bring along, however we will supply what is needed apart from swimming costume, goggles and a towel. Can I have an adult only session? We can arrange for one of the dates to be exclusively for adults. Please email info@mulberry-me.co.uk for details. What happens if the weather is bad? We will make an assessment and alter the activities if we believe that conditions will not be safe. In the event we have to cancel you will be offered an alternative date.

Snorkelling offers you a fantastic chance to get close to shy marine residents. Maybe you have snorkelled on holiday but not considered doing it in the UK or are uncertain of what you can see on the South Coast of England. Whilst it is true, the water temperature is less than the Caribbean it is often 18 degrees plus in the summer months. With a thin wet suit, you can have hours of fun! What can you see? Plenty when you know where to look! Our water is green not blue, and the marine residents are often, but not always, in muted colours. This can make them harder to spot than the flashes of yellow and blue along colourful reefs. You guide will help you get your eye in so you can find and see blennies, gobies, prawns, crabs, pipefish, anemones, sponges, wrasse, bream, bass and more. You do not need previous experience; we ask that you are comfortable in the water and able to swim. They are designed to give you the confidence to snorkel safely whilst having fun. Led by SSI Snorkel Instructors you will be taken through every step. Starting with a safety briefing and introduction we then move into the water to explore shore sites including Selsey Lifeboat Station, East Beach, Aldwick, Swanage, Chesil and Durdle Door. Your Guide will take the time to make sure you are settled and practice buddy techniques in the shallows before you head off to explore. Great fun for the family, children are welcome. They must be at least 6 and able to swim 25 metres unaided. All those under 14 must be accompanied by an adult in the water. The cost is £50 per person which includes the use of all the equipment that you need, (mask, snorkel, fins, and wet suit). If you have your own equipment, we recommend that you use it. We encourage you to bring cameras so you can capture the memories and hope you do not mind if we do. If you want to explore further afield, we offer excursions and guided holidays to explore the amazing UK coastline, watch social media and the events section for more information. Private tours can be arranged on dates to suit you. If you would like to discuss, contact us directly on 01243 601000 to arrange.

Do you wonder what Freediving feels like? Are you looking for a new way to improve your fitness? Then the SSI Try Freediving Programme is the place to start. Freediving allows you to get closer to the marine life and stay longer than snorkelling and without the weight of Scuba equipment. It does not have to be all about depth but comfort, relaxation and ocean exploration. This two hour experience will introduce to you the skills and concepts that recreational Freedivers use and let you experience the different disciplines of static and dynamic apnea. You will start with a pool side breathing and safety workshop with your instructor to help prepare you for the best experience in the water. You will discover how to use the bi-fins to aid your movement as you glide beneath the surface, relax as you try your first static breath hold all under the guidance of your SSI Freediving Instructor in comfort and safety. Is there a minimum age? You need be at least 10 and comfortable in the water. Do I need to have worn fins and masks before? No, we will take you from the beginning it is a full introduction. I have been snorkelling for some time, do I need to do this taster? If you are an experienced snorkeller then you may get more from the BASIC Freediver Programme which will take you below the surface and includes ocean time. I do not have any equipment is it provided? We can provide you with all the equipment you need for this experience but highly recommend that you invest in your own mask. We offer a full fitting service and have a wide range to choose from. Fittings can be arranged prior to your experience. What is included? Digital Manual Breathing workshop poolside Confined water/pool session Digital recognition card on completion Equipment hire – we recommend your own mask Instructor time Course price based on 3 people minimum Every time you take part you help us do more, thank you

This is the first of our new micro experiences, giving you all the fun but at reduced price. The Introduction to Snorkelling is being offered exclusively to the younger water lover. It will give them the chance to experience snorkelling in the sea under the supervision and guidance of trained SSI Snorkel and Ecology Professionals with over 20 years of experience. Over 1.5 hours we will help them kit up in wet suit, mask and fins and then take them in to meet the local marine residents. Regular sightings include crabs, prawns, wrasse, blennies, flat fish and bait fish but we have been known to spot rays, pipefish and cuttlefish at the right time of year. We will start by helping them kit up, so they are fully prepared for their snorkel adventure. Using a 3mm long wet suit, mask, snorkel and fins (which we will provide for the experience), we will make sure that they are comfortable before we head off. Along the shoreline we will master using the fins, learn how to clear our snorkels and make sure everyone is ready and then head out to see who is about. Spending a maximum of 40 minutes in the water, these experiences are weather dependent. If conditions are not suitable you will be offered an alternative date or activity for that day. How old do they need to be? Minimum age for participation is 8 years old Do they need to be strong swimmers? No, they need to be water confident and able to swim 25 metres without aids. My child would love to come but not without me can I join in? If you think your child would be more comfortable with you in the water, please message us to discuss options. What do they need to bring? They only need swimsuit, towel and clothes for after the experience. If they have their own equipment, they can bring them along, we will check fit and suitability Is there paperwork for this experience? There is a short medical questionnaire to make sure everyone will be safe and personal information so we can issue them a certificate of participation after the event. What happens if they get cold? A correctly fitted wet suit will help them stay warm for the experience but if it stops being fun, we can bring them out when they want, and our professionals will keep a watchful eye on their comfort levels.

Mermaids and Mermen are real, and the SSI Try Mermaid Programme provides you with the chance to experience the transformation yourself. It is not only great fun but excellent for fitness and water confidence. This comprehensive introduction will introduce you moving through the water with your mono fin and tail, comfortably and safely under the guidance of your SSI Mermaid Instructor who will be in the water with you at every step. What do Mermaids and Mermen do on these tasters? They learn entry techniques, how to move with your mono fin and tail and correct breathing for underwater swims and skills. There is of course fun time as your confidence grows and with your permission, we will take video and photographs of your adventure for you to keep. It makes for a magical celebration, memorable family experience or a fun way to spend time with your friends. One thing is certain it is too much fun for just the young!! We do offer Mermaid Birthday parties just contact us for more information on the full package. At what age can they take part? Minimum age is 6 and they need to be capable of swimming 12 metres unaided. Is equipment provided? Yes, we have a full range of mono fins and tails to fit all. Where does it take place and how long does it last? In a pool in Selsey, West Sussex, your experience will last 2 hours What is included? Digital Manual Equipment workshop on pool side Confined water/pool session Digital recognition card on completion Equipment hire (mono fin and tail) Masks* are not provided but you can wear googles. Instructor time *we do have a full range of masks available for sale with fitting. Course price based on 3 person minimum

Have you ever donned a mask, snorkel and fins and headed into the water? Were you comfortable and enjoying the view or fighting equipment? The SSI Snorkel Diver programme is designed to give you the skills and knowledge you need to explore with confidence and safety. With the world being 71% water this will equip you to undertake your own Snorkelling adventures. Discover the wealth of life waiting to be discovered at Selsey, West Sussex, around the UK Coastline and on your holidays further afield. Who is this suitable for? Everyone, no experience is required. If you love being in the water or want to be more confident, have a special trip booked or looking for a fun low impact sport to keep fit. It is for you. Your Snorkel Instructor will tailor your course to suit your goals and needs. What is involved? We start with a workshop where your instructor will cover equipment selection, planning your adventures and fun! We then have two sessions in water where you will cover equipment preparation, mask and snorkel skills, finning techniques, working with your buddy, self, and buddy rescue, exit and entry techniques, specialised equipment use. How long does it take? It can be completed in a single day. Where do you do the water sessions? You can opt to complete the course in Open Water, your Snorkelling Instructor will take you into the sea, weather and conditions being suitable, to explore sites from the shore like Selsey Lifeboat Station, East Beach and West Beach. If you would rather gain confidence first there is the option to complete the course in a pool, you can then master the basics before heading into the sea! What is included? Digital Manual Skills session in water Guided Snorkel Tour with skill practice (if taking the sea option) Practical planning workshop Digital Recognition card on completion Equipment hire, except for a mask and snorkel. It is best to have your own fitted mask and we have plenty to suit all budgets and face shapes. Instructor time We want you to get the most from your learning experience, so we keep our classes small. If you prefer, we do offer a 1:1 option and dates to suit you on all our training courses, just ask for pricing and dates. Once you are certified we have a range of guided tours, holidays and chances for you to join us exploring around the UK coast. Use your skills to join us on Survey of the subtidal.

If you are ready to explore deeper open water environments, then the SSI Freediver Course is the key. After completion you will have the skills and knowledge to allow you to plan and safely conduct dives to depths of up to 25 metres with your buddy. Mulberry Marine Experiences offer this course as an upgrade to the Pool Freediver course. Why would you choose to do this? If you complete the first part in the colder months you can develop your skills at the club pool and open water sessions to make the depth progression in open water even more comfortable. This upgrade works by adding two sessions in Open Water to the Pool Freediver Course you have already achieved. These are held in the sea at Selsey, West Sussex and other sites along the South Coast like Chesil Beach. Working with your SSI Freediving Instructor we will progress your depth on the line and ask you to perform skills from depth. If you are interested in completing the course from start to finish not as an upgrade, please contact us to discuss options. Is there a minimum age? You need to be at least 12 years old. Junior Freedivers need to dive with a certified adult or professional until they are 15. Do I need my own equipment? Only as mask and snorkel, we will provide everything else you need. We have a full range of masks and snorkels and will conduct a full fitting at your equipment workshop. How long does it take? We run the upgrade across one day with multiple sessions. What is included? Digital Manual Academics workshops Practical breathing class Two confined water/pool sessions Digital certification card on completion Equipment hire (you will need a mask and snorkel set) Instructor time Everything you do help us do a little more so thank you.