National Marine Week

National Marine Week 2025

From 26th July to 10th August 2025, we’re celebrating the amazing seas around the UK by exploring the Secrets of our Seabeds!

Wildlife Trusts across the UK, Alderney and the Isle of Man will be holding fun and exciting events for families, and we’ll also be sharing cool sea creatures and ocean facts online – perfect if you can’t make it to the beach.

Our seabeds are full of wonders – from colourful corals and chalky reefs to squishy mud packed with tiny creatures! There’s a whole hidden world under the waves just waiting to be discovered.

You may have spotted that National Marine Week actually lasts longer than a week. This is so we can make the most of the different tide times around the country.

HELP WILDLIFE AT HOME

Explore our exciting marine habitats

Habitat

Seagrass

Meadows of seagrass spread across the seabed, their dense green leaves sheltering a wealth of wildlife including our two native species…

Habitat

Maerl beds

Maerl beds are special underwater habitats found in shallow seas. They’re made by rare types of red seaweeds that grow into hard, twig-…

Habitat

Chalk reefs

A chalk reef is a natural seabed made from chalk that rises above the surrounding seafloor.

Habitat

Mud

From vast plains spreading across the seabed to intertidal flats exposed by the low tide, mud supports an incredible variety of wildlife…

Habitat

Sand and gravel

Sand and gravel can be found from the shoreline down to the deep sea, attracting a host of burrowing creatures.

Habitat

Kelp beds and forests

Forests of kelp sway in shallow sunlit waters, offering shelter to a host of sea life from tiny worms to juvenile fish.

Habitat

Rocky reefs

The nooks and crannies of rocky reefs are swimming with wildlife, from tiny fish to colourful anemones. When shoreline rocks are exposed…

Activities to do at home

Why not try some fun marine-themed activities? There are spotting sheets, colouring in and even crafts to try. Let us know how you get on!

Love it, protect it!

The marine environment around the UK is alive with corals, seahorses, whales, dolphins, seals and sharks! Marine habitats include undersea cliffs, caves, chasms, mountains, dunes and plains. Our seas are home to thousands of creatures and plants but in many areas they are threatened by damaging activities. These include building, fishing and plastics. We need to make sure our wonderful marine environment is given the proper protection it deserves!

What can I do to help?