Studland Bay is one of the happiest accidents we've ever had after engine failure saw us dropping the hook here in an evening of our first sailing season ever, when originally we were en-route to Poole Harbour.
 

The ground is mostly sand but there's a lot of eel grass around the closer you get to shore. This eel grass is now being actively protected by environmentalists and as such 'eco moorings' have been set up for yachtsmen (and women) to stay on if they want to spend some time in Studland Bay.

At the time of writing this the 'no anchor zone' that's been set up is voluntary, as is the cost for the moorings (optional donation to the cause) but do check if this has changed, again, this was the case back in 2022.