The View from the Blue

Jurassic Coast Trust Ambassador and marine photographer Steve Belasco has just published his latest book, The Jurassic Coast From The Sea… and it’s a bit special.

The beautiful volume is packed with stunning photographs of the coastline and waters of the Dorset and East Devon World Heritage Site, all captured from offshore during the past 12 years.

The Jurassic Coast from the Sea is available now from the Trust's online shop.

Whether viewing the dazzling chalk stacks around Old Harry in Dorset or the striking red ones in Ladram Bay in Devon, the ‘view from the blue’ is simply unbeatable.

Steve voyages through the waters and coastline of the 95 miles from Poole in Dorset to Exmouth in Devon in his boat, capturing images entirely from wave level and spanning some 185 million years of Earth history while doing so.

Not only do these unique pictures document the breathtaking scenery, but they encompass the coast as it lives, breathes and evolves in the 21st century, with all the animal, human and commercial interaction that entails.

Cretaceous, Jurassic and Triassic coastscapes, caves, quarries, ships and cetaceans are all here amongst the 180 vivid photographs.

There are unusual views of Purbeck’s striking coastline before arriving in Weymouth Bay and Portland at the heart of the World Heritage Site.

The harsh, industrial beauty of Portland gives way to the 18-mile Chesil Bank and, after passing the striking cliffs of Burton Bradstock and West Bay, we sail towards the towering heights of West Dorset surrounding majestic Golden Cap, the highest point on England’s south coast.

After crossing the county border into Devon we peer into the lush greenery of the sub-tropical Undercliff, described by French Lieutenant’s Woman author John Fowles as the last true wilderness in Britain.

Passing Axmouth and Seaton, the red Triassic sandstone of Devon (once desert, and much nearer the equator) is now continuous to the western end of the World Heritage Site near Exmouth.

Steve says: “There are wonderful books of images from the land and even the air. But I wanted to create the first to view the entire Jurassic Coast from wave level. The sea created this coastline so what better viewpoint to enjoy it from?

I’m deeply fond of my home waters and am keen to share the 'out there looking in’ experience”.

Steve and his family have lived near the coast in Dorset for more than 30 years and he has been a photojournalist for longer.

Scan through these photographs and you'll see why this area of natural beauty and Earth science is cherished by so many.

With 144 pages, plenty of local history and a foreword by Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall, The Jurassic Coast From The Sea is a must-have for proud inhabitants, visitors and fans alike.

Available from the Trust's online shop.