Durdle Dip & More…
Durdle Door to lulworth Cove
ROUTE BY Faye Edgar, Jurassic coast swimming
The iconic Durdle Door is the Jurassic Coasts most famous landmark, made even more infamous by thrill seekers with very little brains, who jump off it into the shallow waters below! There are a variety of swims to be had from here, from a mini dip through the Door and around to Man o War Bay, to the more challenging but stunning 3km adventure to Lulworth Cove. This section of the Jurassic Coastline is glorious with crystal clear waters and a plethora of marine life and reef beds to feast your eyes on. I defy you to swim the whole way without stopping, there is so much to look at both above and below the water (forgive the pun!)
LOCATION: dorset, ENGLAND
TOTAL DISTANCE: 5KM
ABOVE DISTANCE (HIKE, RUN): 2km
BELOW DISTANCE (SWIM): 1-3KM
A (START): Lulworth Cove
B (FINISH): CIRCULAR ROUTE
DURATION: 1-3 hours
DIFFICULTY: intermediate to advanced depending on tides
HAZARDS: rocks all along the route, rip tides & sea vessels
OS MAP: OL15: Purbeck & South Dorset
Before you set off, please read our safety guide and blog post on the risks of biosecurity. And here is our recommended kit list.
need to know
Start: directions and timings
Start from Lulworth Cove whichever swim you do. Parking here is easier (not cheap £5 for 4 hours) than at Durdle Door. In the summer the route is heaving with tourists and not recommended however if you can get up early, or stay up late it can be a brilliant time to explore this route.
Terrain:
Above: Follow the coast path up the steps and over the hill towards Durdle. It is a steep trek and not for the faint hearted or fully wet-suited swimmer, but worth it when you reach the top and get views across the Bay to Weymouth and Portland. Then it’s back down the other side via another steep path and head towards the Door (you absolutely can’t miss it!).
Below: Down to the Door. Steep shelving beach plunges into the gloriously cool water, making you wonder if you are actually in the UK. Glide through the Door but don’t forget to look up as you swim through. At low tide the weed can tickle your belly and watch out for jellyfish. Love or hate them they are about from July onwards. Stick to the middle of the Door as wash can push you to the low lying rocks either side. Once through hang left and follow the cliff towards Man o War Bay. Keep an eye out for the entrance, it’s pretty wide between the rocks, but take care. Make sure you are on the flood tide and you’ll sail along nicely. Once in the Bay take your time to look down at the stunning reef beds below and up at the rock formations above that look as if they have been turned on their sides. Swim along the Bay being very careful to avoid rocks as there are plenty about. If you are doing the shorter swim, bob about along the Bay here and then get out and follow the path back to Lulworth. If you are continuing be very sure you are safe and confident as there is now no get out points until Stairhole and Lulworth Cove 1km on. As you leave the Bay it can get quite choppy by the rocks, again lots of surface rocks to be aware of and with a Northerly wind you can get some katabatic chop which shouldn’t last long. All along this stretch there can be backwash from the cliffs, which is fun if you’re used to it! From here you will actually site Lulworth Cove entrance in the far distance. You can generally see people on the top looking down. Before getting to Lulworth a trip into Stairhole is a must. You can swim in one entrance and out the other at high tide, but at low tide there is a secret tunnel between the two! There is a cavern with a mini beach at the end too. Once finished at Stairhole it’s back out into the open sea and around to Lulworth Cove. There is a shallow sharp rock reef at the entrance on the left so make sure you swim to the middle before turning in to the Cove. Lots of shallow rocks once again as you head to the beach and plenty of seaweed, seals and fish to look at as you swim in. Beware of boats, jet skis and the generally more friendly kayakers all along this stretch, visibility in the water essential and I would never do this route alone.
Safety - extra things to look out for: Swimming through the Door on a calm day is glorious, pick the tides wrong and it should not be attempted. There is a strong rip that is not to be messed with. Anything with a South in the wind direction should be avoided if at a reasonable speed. I have swum it in a SW 10mph as it wasn’t pleasant. Know your tides and make sure you swim with the flow. Weymouth has a double low tide so can be tricky to work out but in general tide flow from the Door to Lulworth is -0300 to +0300 HW Portland. Check and double check the wind direction. Rocks are a big hazard all along this stretch, so stay alert.
Your guide
Want to give this route a go, but not ready to go it alone? Get in touch with local swim guide and coach Faye Edgar, who runs Jurassic Coast Swimming – guided swims with the emphasis on enjoying your surroundings rather than rushing from A to B.
Faye and Jurassic Coast Swimming are enamoured with the sea, serious about safety and conscious of leaving only ripples in their wake. Expect fun, laughter and some stunning swim hike adventures.
All our local guides are qualified lifeguards or swimguides with first-hand experience of the route.