UKDIVING
Barnacle encrusted wreckage
Rib section at high water Duck diving around the bow capturing this image as a split shot , with the Jurassic Coast as your backdrop .
From here , take a gentle swim back to shore , revisiting some of the areas that you want to see again , or parts you feel you may have overlooked . Over my many years of snorkelling here I have started noticing more and more bits of the wreck that I hadn ’ t seen previously .
Recently I have been taking drone photos over the area and was quite staggered to learn how much area this wreck site covers .
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Predominately , it is her bow and port side that are exposed by the tide , but from the drone images it came to light that there is a lot more to explore below the surface on what would have been her starboard side .
It has often come as a surprise to me , even to this day , how few people know about this wreck – even the locals . It ’ s all the more astonishing given that she is never completely underwater , for her bow is always visible , even on the highest of tides . Many a walker or rambler must have looked down at some point and noticed the skeletal remains .
Finding the Minx
If you decide to plan a visit , head to the village of Osmington Mills , a few miles east of Weymouth . Ample roadside parking is available at most times , but it can become crowded at weekends , as this a popular place for walkers to park and explore this section of the South West Coast Path . After kitting up , take the public footpath that runs down and around the picturesque ‘ Smugglers Inn ’.
The footpath is clearly signposted but if visiting for the first time , an easy error to make is to carry on up the hill after going
through the first kissing gate at the rear of the pub . At this gate , walk across the field towards the sea – you should see the Isle of Portland in the distance . Go through another kissing gate and follow the track down to the beach . It can get muddy here after periods of rain , so mind your footing if this is the case .
Once down on the beach , around 20 metres to your right is a picturesque waterfall that is worth taking a look at . In the distance , looking left – to the East – the wreck will be visible , her bow projecting above the surface close to shore . From here , take your time over the rocks and in 15 minutes you should be there .
Upon arrival , it will soon become apparent that this is a most secluded site , don ’ t expect to see many people . Taking this into account , please observe some basic safety tips when visiting . Do bring a fully charged phone and surface cover ; don ’ t sit directly under the cliffs because rockfalls are well known and you don ’ t want a Jurassic fossil landing on you .
The Minx has much to offer snorkellers – if you ’ ve never been , why not pay her a visit ? She certainly makes for a great little adventure . �
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