SCUBA DIVING IN UK: most wrecks spots in the world. Divers’ Reviews

Normally you would not associate the UK with scuba diving, but both lake diving and site by the coast will surprise with its diversity. From kelp forests to the largest number of wrecks in the world, extensive cave systems, deep wall dives and cold water reefs, the United Kingdom offers plenty of diving options. The best dive spots are found in England, with over a 100 different dive sites between fresh water and costal diving. Scotland has amazing wrecks  and Wales has a perfect mix of good diving and great hiking.

ENGLAND, COLD WATERS BUT LOTS OF WRECKS & SHARKS DIVES

The south coast of England is famous for wrecks, over 100 wreck sites! The steady currents give you the opportunity to carry out great drift dives as well. Dive areas in the south-east can be accessed from London or Plymouth. There are live aboards that offer itineraries to go wreck diving in the English Channel.

To the south-west, Cornwall has very good dive sites; cage shark diving is possible from Padstow and Bude. You can expect to see blue sharks and basking sharks (second largest shark species after whale sharks). Plymouth Breakwater’s wrecks are very interesting, a highlight is the HMS Scylla, a Leander-class frigate of the Royal Navy sank to form an artificial reef.

Lundy Island has been declared Site of Special Scientific Interest and its marine reserve has pretty unique flora and fauna. Gannet Rock has large boulders full of corals. The Carmine Filomena wreck is an interesting dive site good for macro life.

The Isles of Scilly, on the southwest tip of Cornwall, are in the path of the Gulf Stream. Here you can choose from canyons, reefs and wreck dives. There are 56 islands and underwater you will find many rocks made of granite with sparkling quartz and mica, adding to the beauty of the dive sites. There are over 500 wrecks beneath these waters, most of them covered with beautiful corals and plenty macro life. Seals, basking sharks and porpoises swim these waters.

Traveling between the islands in water taxis or ferry is commonly done but the best way to explore and make the best of the Isles of Scilly is by live aboard.

The north-east of England has incredible dive sites too, plenty of pollock shoaling around the Cadmus and Pandora wrecks, and in the must-see Farne Islands, accessed from Beadnell, you will see many seals. There is healthy kelp and soft coral population in the area around the famous wreck of the Abyssinia, a German steamer that sank in 1921. Usually seal pups will join you during this dive!

Travelling in England is easy and has excellent public transportation. In Cornwall you can visit the Tintagel Castle, where the story of King Arthur began, or visit one of the over 140 beaches. The Lake District in Cumbria is an inspiring destination with an amazing landscape. Liverpool’s hip hotels and the abundant art galleries and museums outside of London make a great day activity. If you are a football (soccer) fan, a visit to a game is a must.

SCOTLAND, SCAPA FLOW

Scotland is one of a top diving destinations in the world due to the wreckages of the over 50 German ships at Scapa Flow in 1918. Scapa Flow, known to be the UK´s chief naval base in WWl and WWll, has 12 different dive sites. It has, hands-down, some of the most interesting wrecks in the world. The best dives include the Orkney Islands, Eyemouth and Strathclyde.

Oban has great dive sites like Conger Alley, an easy shore dive. It´s a good reef dive for conger eels, Ballan wrasse and occasionally lobster. Rocks are covered with sea squirts, plumrose anemones and sea loch anemones. Twin Piers is also a popular dive in this area. Calve Islands make for really good wall dives, with ledges and overhangs.

The Eyemouth and St. Abbs Marine Reserve are world class dive areas. Cathedral Rock is part of the reef that runs perpendicular to the St. Abbs harbor wall. Here you will find plenty of lobsters and leopard-spotted gobies. It has tunnels that make for a mesmerizing scenery.

Scotland has breathtaking scenery above water as well. City sightseeing as well as visits to its museums, castles and monuments are a fun activity. Cubbie Row´s Castle is the earliest fortress known in Scotland and Castle Sween is the oldest mainland stone Castle.

WALES, DIVERSE MARINE HABITATS

Scuba diving is best in northern and southern Wales, with a few dive spots in between like Dorothea Quarry. North Wales has most of the dive sites around Snowdonia and Anglesey. The north coast not only offers great diving but also areas of immense beauty. The Menai Strait has diverse marine habitats and is considered for a conservation site. Diving here is for advance divers only since it´s a strong drift dive and visibility can be poor. Please check with your local dive operator before you dive.

Trearddur Bay is rich in macro life. At Ynys Moelfre, in slack water, you will be able to see lobster pods around the rocks, check with local operator since currents can be very strong here. Kimya, a dive site for all levels, is a nice wreck dive; the wreck is pretty much intact. Puffin Sound Drift is the place to play with seals underwater!

South Wales has also good dive sites, mainly around Pembrokeshire. The North Wall is suitable for all divers, it´s probably the most popular dive site here. The wall is full of gorgonians and deeper in you will see a kelp forest. South Haven Pinnacle has a lot of flatworms, dogfish, and pollock; it´s another dive site to swim with seals.

ISLE OF MAN

The best diving is in the southern part of the island, especially in the Calf of Man. It has a beautiful 160 km. coastline with cliffs and golden beaches and great diving thanks to its remote location. The waters are very rich and offer good visibility for divers. The rocky coastline extends into the water creating a dramatic underwater landscape.

Burroo Ned in the south west is a great place for marine life, and you will encounter the Calf´s seal colony! Tidal streams are very strong here so you must dive in slack water, but the bright side of this is the amount of planktonic organisms that come with that, an excellent food source.

A large variety of crustaceans and sea slugs graze these waters. The Oaten Pipe Hydroid is very common here; so is the Jewel anemone. The Calf Sound Drift, the place to explore the wreck of the Clan McMaster, it also a great dive, the drift is fast. You need to be an experienced diver for this site.

DIVE OPERATORS LISTED IN UK

Atlantic Scuba / BSCA Red Sea / Cheshire Scuba Academy / Planet Divers