PORTHKERRIS, CORNWALL
Who's it for?It's perfect for beginners, but other experience levels will find much to enjoy, too.
What's it got?
Here on the east side of the Lizard peninsula, in southwest Cornwall, there's some great, easy shore diving (ie where you enter the water direct from the shore). Sheltered from westerly winds, it features pinnacles, drop-offs and shallow reefs. Because it's highly tidal, invertebrates thrive here, with Gorgonian sea fans and all manner of anemones to gawp at. The most famous wreck is SS Mohegan, a passenger liner that sank in 1898.
Are there diving companies?
Porthkerris Divers www.porthkerris.com is a family-run affair offering a full range of PADI courses, shore dives and boat charters. Its dive shop has equipment for hire and sale, and they also organise boat trips to dive or snorkel with basking sharks off the coast.
Where to stay?
- Find a local Haven Holiday Park
- Hole up at the tucked-away Trengilly Wartha hotel at Nancenoy, northwest of Porthkerris. Doubles from £80 b&b.
More info www.divingcornwall.com
THE FARNE ISLANDS, NORTHUMBERLAND
Who's it for?It's great for (qualified) novice divers, but there's something for all levels.
What's it got?
These rocky little islands off the Northumberland coast have claimed many vessels over the years, and they're waiting to be explored. But the biggest attraction is the grey seal population of 5,000 - it's a delight for divers to watch them frolicking underwater. You may also spot diving seabirds such as guillemots and terns.
Are there diving companies?
Several. Farne Island Divers www.farneislanddivers.co.uk operates dive charters on the Farne Discovery, an RHIB (rigid-hulled inflatable boat) that holds 12 divers and two crew members. There's no diving school around here though, so you'll need to get your PADI Open Water Certificate (or equivalent) before your holiday.
Where to stay?
- Find a local Haven Holiday Park
- Seahouses, the harbour village that serves as the gateway to the islands, is the place to stay. The Olde Ship Hotel www.seahouses.co.uk, has a cheery bar, stuffed with nautical memorabilia. Doubles from £96. Or rent a cottage www.northeastcoastalcottages.co.uk
More info
www.farne-islands.com
WEYMOUTH, DORSET
Who's it for?There's something for all experience levels in Weymouth and nearby Portland.
What's it like?
With its clear water, huge variety of marine life and large concentration of wrecks, Weymouth is one of the UK's best places to dive. The wrecks include U-boats, warships and passenger liners (more than 120 of them in a radius of 20 miles) at depths of as little as 10 metres. Weymouth is in the centre of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, and there's wonderful scenic diving, too, with reefs and ledges. It's possible to dive year-round, thanks to the sheltered harbour.
Are there diving companies?
Lots. The Old Harbour Dive Centre offers the full range of PADI courses and offers boat bookings and dive charters.
Where to stay?
- Find a local Haven Holiday Park
- The Greenwood Guest House, a ten-minute walk from the harbour, is pretty, comfortable and diver-friendly. You can leave your wetsuit to dry in the annex, and hose your stuff down in the garden. Doubles from £50.
More info
www.weymouthdiving.co.uk
PLYMOUTH, DEVON
Who's it for?All levels of experience.
What's it like? One of the UK's most popular dive sites, Plymouth has wrecks, reefs and shoals aplenty. Famous wrecks include the Eagan Layne, a US ship sunk by a U-boat in the Second World War, suitable for beginners as well as the experienced. For advanced divers, HMS Scylla, which was sunk as an artificial reef in 2004, is fascinating. In good weather, the best reef is possibly Hands Deep, nine miles offshore, with clear water and masses of dogfish, crab, coral and sea fans.
Are there diving companies? There's training for all levels at Aquanauts dive centre at the Barbican. Learners can take the internationally recognised four-day PADI open-water course, including two days' training in a swimming pool, followed by two shore dives and two hard-boat dives on real dive sites.
Where to stay
- Find a local Haven Holiday Park
- The charming Squires Guest House is a five-minute walk from the Barbican, has comfy rooms and lays on hearty breakfasts. Doubles from £54.
More info www.plymouthdiving.co.uk
SKOMER ISLAND, PEMBROKESHIRE, WALES
Who's it for?It's great for learners and intermediates, though there's stuff for experienced divers too.
What's it like?
This marine reserve is teeming with all kinds of creatures, including dive-bombing seabirds. Head for Rye Rocks to watch the seals hanging out, and be sure to explore the marine life of the North Wall cliff. Experienced divers can explore the intact wreck of the Lucy, a 53-metre coaster which lies 40 metres down.
Are there diving companies?
The West Wales Diving Centre on the mainland near Little Haven, is a PADI five-star centre with all facilities onsite, including a heated pool. They have an RIB (rigid inflatable boat) for charter, or they'll arrange a hard-boat operator to take you out. The centre has a Green Dragon award for environmental friendliness.
Where to stay?
- Find a local Haven Holiday Park
- The diving centre has basic cabins, sleeping four in bunks, from £20pppn, and double rooms in the cottage next door from £30pppn b&b.
More info
www.visitpembrokeshire.com
SCAPA FLOW, ORKNEY, SCOTLAND
Who's it for?Intermediate and advanced divers.
What's it like?
This natural harbour, sheltered by five surrounding Orkney islands, has the best wreck diving in the UK. After the First World War, a German Admiral ordered the defeated, interned German fleet of 74 ships to scuttle (sink themselves) to prevent them falling into British hands. Twenty-two were rescued, leaving 52 on the seabed, where they still reside now. There are many other wrecks, too. It's wreck heaven here.
Are there diving companies?
Scapa Flow Diving Holidays, based in the pretty town of Stromness, offers seven-night diving trips, on a day boat or live-aboard basis, on their boat MV Invincible, for groups of up to 12 divers.
Where to stay?
- Find a local Haven Holiday Park
- The Ferry Inn, near the harbour in Stromness, is a favourite with the sub-aqua fraternity, and serves hearty seafood dinners. Ensuite doubles cost £40. British Airways flies to Orkney from Heathrow via Edinburgh, Glasgow or Aberdeen.
More info
www.scapaflow.co.uk
ADDRESS BOOK
Sub Aqua Association (SAA)British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC)
Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)
Scuba Schools International (SSI)
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