The Best UK Spots for Diving Enthusiasts

You don’t have to hop on a plane or a boat to enjoy some world class scuba diving. The UK has some of the most enjoyable scuba spots anywhere on the planet, with hundreds of wrecks and a diverse range of stunning marine wildlife peppering the seabed surrounding the country. Diving in the UK is possible all year round and while you may need to find some reserves of courage to venture out in those frigid winter tides, come summer, the seas surrounding the UK will offer plenty of opportunity for everyone to dive in warm waters with great visibility.

With over 8000 marine species to be spotted off the coast of the UK alone, those wanting to see a submarine world in all its glory need go no further than their own back garden. But which locations are best for Brits to visit?

Porthkerris, Cornwall

A great little spot for beginners, this location in southwest Cornwall features easy access to shallow reefs and a range of different marine animals, even giving divers the chance to swim among basking sharks. Sheltered from the wind and accessible directly from the shore, this spot has a famous wreck to explore – the SS Mohegan, a passenger ship that has been at the bottom of the sea since the late 19th century. Companies in the area offer full courses for beginners along with boat charters and equipment hire.

Skomer Island, Wales

Those who want something a little more challenging will find plenty to enjoy on Skomer Island in Wales. Whether you want to sit on the shore and watch the kamikaze seabirds or head for the rocks to chill out with the seals, there is wildlife of all kinds for divers to appreciate. Those with a little more experience under their weight belts can also bask in the stunning sight of Lucy, a hulking ship which lies forsaken 40 metres below the surface.

Scapa Flow, Scotland

For intermediate and advanced divers, Orkney’s Scapa Flow has plenty to offer. Offering the most popular and impressive wreck diving in the UK, Scapa Flow has no less than 52 German warships to see, all of which were sunk to prevent them being taken into enemy hands. On top of these, there are many other wrecks to explore, including the Blockship Tabarka which has been voted the best dive in Europe.

The Farne Islands, Northumberland

The Farne Islands offer a little something for everyone, with many sunken vessels begging to be explored beneath the surface, and at least 5,000 grey seals happily playing in the water.

Weymouth, Dorset

Divers looking for somewhere to satisfy a range of different diving levels – including those who wish to get their qualification – need look no further than Weymouth. Clean, scenic and located in the heart of the stunning Jurassic Coast, Weymouth offers the chance for diving all year round and has some of the most impressive wrecks (some just ten metres down) and marine life to be found anywhere in Europe.