©Paul Naylor

Marine

There's another world waiting beneath the waves. Seals weave in and out of sunlit kelp forests, cuttlefish flash all the colours of the rainbow, starfish graze along the muddy seabed and sharks slip through the open water.

Species in Marine habitats in Kent

© Gillian Day

Orca

Orca, sometimes known as ‘killer whales’, are unmistakable with their black and white markings. Although we do have a small group of orca who live in British waters, you would be lucky to see them!

Moon Jellyfish ©Paul Naylor www.marinephoto.co.uk

Moon jellyfish

The moon jelly is the most common jellyfish in UK seas, often washing up on our beaches. No need to worry though - it doesn't sting humans.

Edible Periwinkle ©Alex Mustard/2020VISION

Edible periwinkle

Edible periwinkles are a common sight when rockpooling and can be found in huge numbers on the shore.

© Amy Lewis

Lesser weever fish

One of the only venomous fish to be found in British waters, the lesser weever fish is certainly one to watch out for!

©Jamie Hall

Common seal

The smaller of our two UK seal species, common seals are also known as harbour seals. Despite being called "Common", they are actually less common than grey seals!

©Paul Naylor

Shore crab

This crab is common around all of the UK. If you've ever been rockpooling or crabbing, it's probably the shore crab that you've met.

Atlantic Salmon leaping ©Rob Jordan/2020VISION

Atlantic salmon

The Atlantic salmon spends most of its life at sea, but makes an epic journey back to the river or stream in which it hatched to spawn. Look out for it in freshwater rivers in the north and west.

Humpback whale

The humpback whale is making a comeback, with more and more individuals being seen in UK seas every year. They are well known for their acrobatic behaviour - so don't be surprised to see them breach clear of the water!

Nursehound

The nursehound is a nocturnal predator, hunting smaller fish close to the seafloor.

Rainbow Trout ©Alex Mustard/2020VISION

Rainbow trout

With a silvery body, and purple, pink and bluish streaks down its flanks, the rainbow trout lives up to its name. Popular with anglers, it is actually an introduced species in the UK.

Jack Perks

Eel

The eel is famous for both its slippery nature and its mammoth migration from its freshwater home to the Sargasso Sea where it breeds. It has suffered dramatic declines and is a protected species.

Our reserves with marine habitats

Sandwich and Pegwell Bay

Listen to the rolling waves on the sand and shingle, breathe in the saline scents of the saltmarsh, and watch the wonderful wildlife this very important and sensitive National Nature Reserve has to offer.

Types of marine habitat in Kent

Seagrass ©Paul Naylor www.marinephoto.co.uk/

Seagrass

Habitat

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

Learn more about marine habitats

National Marine Week: Meet the Coastal Explorer Interns!

Blog

Adonis Blue Environmental Consultants (ABEC) is a part of the wider Kent Wildlife Trust Group. This National Marine Week, let's explore what the ABEC Coastal Explorer Interns have been up to in their first month with us!

© Tracy Sutton

Seabed secrets: 6 lesser-known marine species

Blog

National Marine Week is our celebration of UK seas! From 26th July - 10th August 2025 we'll be showcasing the 'Secrets of our Seabeds'. One of these secrets are lesser-known marine species.