History
Saltwater Bay on the Isle of Wight is famous for its Smugglers Caves, which were used during the 18th and 19th centuries. The bay’s hidden caves and rugged coastline provided perfect cover for smugglers to evade taxes by secretly unloading goods like brandy, tobacco, and tea. These caves played a crucial role in local smuggling operations, allowing contraband to be hidden until it could be safely transported.
These caves are typically accessed by paddleboards, kayaks, swimming in groups with protective gear or by walking around the rocks when the tide is out. In my experience, I was not equipped with any gear and felt daring, so I swam around to the caves. The waves crashing into the caves made for an exhilarating experience, though in reflection I relised it was quite dangerous to undertake alone.
