Great British beach activities: 10 best sea swims

For solitude

Isle of Staffa, Outer Hebrides

For those seeking peace and quiet, Daniel Start, author of 'Wild Swimming Coast: Explore the Secret Coves and Wild Beaches of Britain' (Punk Publishing, £14.95), recommends Staffa, an uninhabited Scottish island three hours by ferry from Iona/Fionnphort. ‘It's the site of a melodious sea cave called Fingal's Cave,' he says. ‘Inside, the hexagonal stones rise up like organ pipes to the ceiling and plunge down into incredibly clear depths. It makes a perfect place to jump, dive and sing while you swim.' The acoustics in this natural sound chamber even inspired one of Mendelssohn's overtures (www.wildswimming.co.uk).