Blogs
Best of British Diving
The UK Dive Season has begun, so to get you all excited about the adventures that await you this Summer, we’re throwing the spotlight on some of the fantastic dive spots that can be found in UK waters.
You’ve got to make sure you’ve got the right kit for the job, of course, so we’ve teamed up with some leading dive equipment brands who offer the gear you’ll need to experience UK Diving.
So let’s get started!
SCAPA FLOW, ORKNEY
For wreck diving this has to be the premier dive location in the UK, where the remains of the German High Seas Fleet lie after being deliberately scuttled by the German Navy in 1919. Along with the blockships like the Tabarka, that lie in shallower water, there are also several WWII vessels to explore. There is a shipwreck for every experience level in the Flow, and one trip may not be enough!
XDEEP @ NAUTILUS
Email: info@nautilus.uk / Web: www.nautilus.uk/brand/xdeep/
XDEEP Facebook / XDEEP NX Series Facebook Group / Nautilus Facebook
For over a decade XDEEP has innovated in the scuba industry sector and evolved into a manufacturer reknowned for cutting edge design and development. Born from the need to explore, the design and implementation of advanced exploration equipment has made its way into the recreational and technical diving arena, much as Formula 1 motorsport. Now each product is recognised as ground breaking in its design and being the most effective in its class. Premium components and the most advanced manufacturing techniques mean reliability is second to none whilst retaining both function and form.
Email: info@nautilus.uk / Web: www.nautilus.uk/brand/xdeep/
XDEEP Facebook / XDEEP NX Series Facebook Group / Nautilus Facebook
ST ABBS AND EYEMOUTH, SCOTLAND
This protected area of coastline has a wonderful array of marine life. The rocks here are festooned with soft corals, anemones, sea urchins and starfish. A huge diversity of fish including wolf fish and conger eels keep divers coming back trip after trip.
OTTER DRYSUITS
Email: sales@drysuits.co.uk / Web: www.otterwatersports.uk / Telephone: 01274 379480
Facebook / Instagram
Otter understands what it takes to make a great drysuit. When we say our suits are ‘exploration grade’, we mean it – with over 37 years of experience behind us, Otter suits are the choice of some of the biggest names in dive exploration. From the deepest wrecks to the longest caves, diving explorers choose Otter to protect them from the harshest conditions.
Otter Drysuits was founded in 1986 by John Womack Snr in Bradford, West Yorkshire. A renowned diver in his own right, John was directly involved in major technical diving expeditions sponsored by Otter, including three on the renowned Britannic wreck in Greece, HMS Victoria off Lebanon and the wrecks of HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse in the South China Sea.
From the outset, Otter Drysuits has been known for innovation, and this is as true today as it has ever been. Our popular Brittanic drysuit offers amazing fit and comfort and is one of our toughest suits, with a telescopic section allowing easy movement out of the water. The Atlantic range offers unequalled stretch and movement for the wearer, whilst using hard-wearing materials and even Kevlar to protect in even the most extreme environments. Top-quality components from YKK, Apeks, Si-Tech and KUBI ensure Otter Drysuits can offer the ideal drysuit to suit the needs of even the most demanding of divers.
The result of years of development and unrivalled experience, our award-winning suits are renowned for their quality, fit and durability. Available either made-to-measure or in a full set of standard sizes, we offer a range of materials including membrane (trilaminate), neoprene and now the incredibly tough Kevlar.
We offer every possible option on our drysuits – from multiple valve positions to pee valves and field-changeable neck and wrist seals. With each suit made entirely by one single craftsperson, we work closely with our customers to provide a customised suit at an outstanding price. As our many customers across the globe will attest, our reputation for quality, value and customer service is second to none.
Our trilaminate drysuits are renowned across the world for their quality of build and incredible durability. It’s not by accident that you see so many Otter drysuits worn by professionals on television and in the media. They’re built to perform; dive after dive, year after year. Wherever your diving takes you, choose Otter.
Email: sales@drysuits.co.uk / Web: www.otterwatersports.uk / Telephone: 01274 379480
Facebook / Instagram
ANGLESEY, WALES
Anglesey, across the Menai Strait, has a great number of shore dives at shallow depths, easily accessible and with fantastic marine life. A whole holiday can be spent doing relaxed gully and reef dives accessible from the local beaches. With several hundred wrecks along the coast, including the SS Missouri and a B-17 Bomber, there are boat diving options too and diving for all experience levels.
AP DIVING
Email: info@apdiving.com / Web: www.apdiving.com / Telephone: 01326 561040
Facebook / Instagram
AP Diving began life over 55 years ago as a small family business. Today we are an award-winning internationally respected dive manufacturer with a legacy of pioneering and landmark products – from the AP Valve, the TEKWING and the COMMANDO BCD range to the constantly evolving and world-beating INSPIRATION closed circuit rebreather. Our mission has always been to help divers dive better, explore further, stay longer, and enjoy the adventure. Take your diving to the next level with AP.
Email: info@apdiving.com / Web: www.apdiving.com / Telephone: 01326 561040
Facebook / Instagram
PEMBROKESHIRE, WALES
Home to the Skomer Marine Reserve, this spectacular reef is teeming with life, from dolphins to nudibranchs, seals to seahorses. Walls drop off to deep water, caves lure explorers and hundreds of wrecks mean there is something for everyone.
URSUIT @ LIQUID SPORTS
Email: info@liquidsports.co.uk / Web: liquidsports.co.uk
Ursuit Facebook / Liquid Sports Facebook
Ursuit Oy is a Finnish company established in 1964. The factory is located in Turku, Finland.
We manufacture Ursuit® drysuits for all kinds of water activities, both under and above the surface. Main product groups are diving, rescue and recreational drysuits. The Ursuit drysuit range consists of over 15 standard surface drysuit models and over 10 standard diving drysuit models in many colours for both men and women.
All of the Ursuit drysuits are handmade and therefore they can easily be modified according to customer needs and wishes. A standard model can easily be customized with different kinds of pockets, MOLLE-system, relief zippers etc.
The drysuits can directly be produced according to the user´s measurements, even in big quantities. We have produced made-to-measure drysuits with individual customizations for fire departments, coast guards, police and military forces, maritime crews and several other professional instances.
Our production is carefully controlled and audited annually by a Notified Body according to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, SOLAS/MED and EASA/ETSO requirements. These quality assurances make it possible that the user can concentrate on the most essential, the activity.
Email: info@liquidsports.co.uk / Web: www.liquidsports.co.uk
Ursuit Facebook / Liquid Sports Facebook
LUNDY, DEVON
Lundy Island, in the mouth of the Bristol Channel about 12 miles off the coast of North Devon, is a Marine Conservation Zone with fabulously rich marine life, impressive visibility and numerous wrecks to explore. The local seal population can be very playful and the biodiversity some of the best in the UK waters. Tidal currents can be strong, so this is best dived by experienced divers.
FARNE ISLANDS
Famous for its brilliant seal encounters, the Farne Islands have a large and playful population of grey seals. Diveable year round when the weather is calm, there are sites for all levels. Rock faces covered with crevices and gullies to explore shelter a host of marine life, such as lobsters, crab, nudibranchs and anemones. There are also several good wreck dives in the area. The islands are also home to the beloved puffin, which can be seen in the nesting season.
BIGBLUE DIVE LIGHTS @ LIQUID SPORTS
Email: info@liquidsports.co.uk / Web: liquidsports.co.uk
Bigblue Facebook / Liquid Sports Facebook
Big Blue is dive light manufacturer providing new innovations in all market segments : Recreational, Videography, Photography, Technical, Commercial, Back-Up and Rescue. Big Blue is the fastest growing dive light manufacturer in the industry building our brand through quality, creative and great customer service. With advanced designs and unprecedented affordability, Big Blue offers the most affordable and technologically advanced LED lights on the market. We incorporate the latest technologies producing the most efficient portable illumination. In addition to brilliant design features, we offer the most ideal lights for underwater illumination, night diving and video lighting.Whether you are looking for a simple recreational dive light or a full-blown technical underwater illumination system. With a lumen offering from 250 to 65000 Big Blue has a light for you!
Email: info@liquidsports.co.uk / Web: www.liquidsports.co.uk
Bigblue Facebook / Liquid Sports Facebook
PORTHKERRIS, CORNWALL
Porthkerris lies on the Lizard peninsula of Cornwall. It is a famously treacherous area of submerged rocks like the Manacles which has resulted in hundreds of shipwrecks, now a haven for sea life. Dive sites in the area are suited to a range of experience levels, from an easy yet beautiful shore dive at Porthkerris beach to boat diving offshore pinnacles like Vase rock, now covered in swathes of jewel anemones. Basking sharks are also seen in the area in late spring to early summer feeding on plankton blooms.
KUBI DRY GLOVES
Email: Sales@kubistore.com / Web: www.kubistore.com / Tel: 01162 388 255
Facebook / Instagram / LinkedIn
KUBI Dry Gloves represent innovation and quality in diving equipment. Designed to keep divers’ hands warm and dry in cold water environments, KUBI gloves offer a reliable seal that prevents water from seeping in, ensuring comfort and dexterity during dives.
Crafted from durable materials and engineered with precision, these gloves prioritize both functionality and durability, making them a trusted choice among professional and recreational divers alike. Beyond gloves, the KUBI brand extends its expertise to essential accessories like transport bags and dry bags. Crafted with the same dedication to quality and functionality, these accessories offer divers reliable solutions for storing and transporting their gear.
The KUBI brand is synonymous with excellence in diving gear. With a commitment to meeting the needs of divers worldwide, KUBI continuously pushes the boundaries of design and performance. KUBI’s dedication to innovation and customer satisfaction has earned us a reputation as a leader in the diving industry. Whether exploring vibrant coral reefs, descending into the depths of wrecks or going deep into a cave/mine divers can trust KUBI Dry Gloves to provide the protection they need to enjoy their underwater adventures to the fullest.
Email: Sales@kubistore.com / Web: www.kubistore.com / Tel: 01162 388 255
Facebook / Instagram / LinkedIn
DORSET
Dorset has several excellent wreck dives, from submarines, to warships, and sailboats to tanks. The M2 submarine off Portland is a stunning wreck with a tragic story. If wrecks are not your thing, or you’d like a shallow dive to finish off the day, Swanage Pier is an easy and excellent shallow shore dive. The Victorian era pilings are covered in life and the structure provides a nursery for pollock, bib and ballan wrasse. The shallow depth means the light is superb for underwater photography and there are usually plenty of willing subjects like the ever popular tompot blenny and cuttlefish.
MAXSHOW LTD
Email: enquiries@maxshow.co.uk / Web: www.maxshow.ltd.uk / Tel: 01162 388 255
Facebook / Instagram / LinkedIn
Maxshow LTD is a premier distributor known for its diverse portfolio of up to 10 esteemed brands catering to the diving industry and more. Among its offerings are Miflex hoses, renowned for their durability and flexibility, providing divers with reliable hoses for their underwater adventures.
KUBI, another staple brand, delivers innovative Dry Gloves and Thermal Gear, ensuring comfort and protection in cold water environments. OmniSwivel offers advanced swivel systems, enhancing divers’ mobility and safety during dives.
Maxshow LTD also represents other brands such as Best Divers, Varma, Oceanarium, Sticktite, and Bags of Paper, each offering unique solutions for divers’ needs. Best Divers provides a wide range of accessories, while Varma offers quality wool apparel. Oceanarium specializes in creative products, Sticktite offers adhesive solutions for sight and Bags of Paper provides environmentally friendly packaging. AquaSketch rounds out the lineup with innovative underwater writing slates.
With Maxshow LTD’s commitment to quality and diversity, divers can trust in the reliability and performance of these brands for their diving endeavors.
Email: enquiries@maxshow.co.uk / Web: www.maxshow.ltd.uk / Tel: 01162 388 255
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RATHLIN ISLAND, NORTHERN ISLAND
Rathlin to the north of Ballycastle has some fantastic diving. The strong tidal currents in this area mean the marine life is numerous, varied, vibrant and healthy. The northwest cliffs drop to depths of 200m just offshore making an impressive wall dive. Tides hitting the cliffs can create powerful up and down currents, so experience and staying close to the rock is important, but well worth the effort. On the east coast the wreck of the S.S Lochgary, a converted government transport ship, which was involved in the WWII Dunkirk evacuation, before sinking in her current location in 1942.
Happy diving!!!
In June we were incredibly fortunate to be invited to dive in Alonissos, a small Greek Island in the Sporades island chain located in the North Aegean Sea. While I have long been a big fan of the Greek Islands as a great holiday destination, I had not had the opportunity to do any diving on previous visits and Mike and I were extremely excited to see what Alonissos had to offer both above and below the surface!
The Sporades are easily accessible via the airport in Skiathos (the first island in the chain), which is served by Jet2 flights from all major UK airports from May through October. Numerous ferries and charter boats make island hopping from Skiathos Town a breeze. After an hour boat ride, the picturesque port of Patitiri was a wonderful introduction to Alonissos, where we were met by our gracious hosts Kostas of Albedo Travel and Dias of Alonissos Triton Dive Center. Mike and I were delighted to be staying at the Paradise Hotel, aptly named for its stunning views over the sea and great location for walking to the waterfront.
Alonissos is beautifully situated in the National Marine Park of Alonissos and the Northern Sporades, the largest marine protected area in Europe. The surrounding seas offer fabulous marine life, including incredibly rare species such as the Mediterranean monk seal. They boast deep walls covered in gorgonians and sponges, stunning topography with caverns, swimthroughs and pinnacles, and the first accessible ancient shipwreck from 500BC!
In locations where historical sites have been reported, the waters are largely restricted, but with collaboration between government, underwater archeologists and dive centres, incredible underwater museums are being created for a truly unique diving experience. Alonissos is home to the first of these, the Ancient Shipwreck of Peristera Accessible Underwater Archeological Site. The chance to dive into history (along with reports of healthy reef life and amazing underwater topography) meant Mike and I were keen to get in the water.
Our introduction to the diving around Alonissos was at the Agios Georgios Pinnacles, in the channel between Alonissos and Skopelos. This fantastic site was named “The Chimney,’ and proved to have a huge amount to see. We got to a decent depth here (over 25m), and marvelled at a colourful reef wall with a wonderful swim through whose rocky walls were absolutely covered with life. As well as brilliant topography there was no shortage of macro life here. We saw numerous nudibranchs, five different species in total. The second dive at Mourtias reef nearby was a shallower dive along a nice wall with lots of crevices. Several moray eels and grouper called this site home. We enjoyed looking in the crevices for lobster and smaller benthic life, such as cup corals and tunicates.
Our itinerary allowed us two dives a day with afternoons left to explore the island with our hire car and evenings to enjoy the famous Greek hospitality. This proved to be a lovely mix of in-water and land based diversions.
The next days diving to the Gorgonian Gardens and Triton’s Cave was to be even better! These two stunning sites are nothing short of fabulous. The Gorgonian Gardens was a deep wall near to the Agios Georgios islands. The ever-present currents in this deep channel meant that the sea life was amazing … the namesake Gorgonian sea fans dotted the wall at a depth of 30 to 50 meters, getting ever larger the deeper we went. Above 30m was by no means less beautiful, with sponges, corals, scorpionfish, moray eels and some rare and colourful nudibranchs.
The second shallower dive of the day was to Triton’s Cave or the Cavern of Skopelos, on the east side of that island. The spectacular rock formations had wild striations both above and below the water making a truly epic topography. The cavern entrance was at 14m, and big enough for a buddy pair, winding up to 6m and passing two beautiful windows out into the blue. Emerging from the cavern, the light at the shallower depths and the incredible rock formations made for a fantastic gentle swimming safety stop and we all surfaced by the boat with massive grins.
Check out our next blog :Alonissos: The complete diving destination (Part 2)” to hear about our amazing dive on the 2500 year old Peristera Wreck!
Thanks to:
Alonissos Triton Dive Center https://bestdivingingreece.com/
Albedo Travel https://alonissosholidays.com/activities/
Paradise Hotel https://paradise-hotel.gr/
Alonissos Municipality https://alonissos.gr/en/
Our second days dive itinerary was to the famous Christoforos wreck! This is arguably the best dive in Skopelos and though only open to divers with deep diving experience, this 83m long wreck is well worth the visit.
The Christoforos sits in 43 meters of water with the deck at 32 to 35 meters. A 30m dive can give an impressive view of the wreck, though such a large wreck needs a few dives to truly do it justice. Given its ideal location just a 2 minute boat ride from the dive centre dock it is an excellent first dive of the day. The sheltered site is also diveable in all but the absolute worst weather so although deep, the water is usually clear with little to no current making it a very pleasant dive. The site is superb for technical diving and a great training site for the Tec 40 and 45 programs, offered by Skopelos Dive Center.
The Christoforos wreck was originally a collier ship built in 1950 at Grangemouth shipyard under the name “Thomas Hardie”. In 1976 she joined the Greek merchant fleet as “Christoforos”. On the 2nd of October 1983 the Christoforos was carrying 2600 tonnes of cement from Volos to Piraeus Port. During the voyage the weather turned, resulting in the ship developing a 7 degree list, whereby she changed course for safe anchorage at Panormos, Skopelos. The ship reached Panormos at 16:00 with a list of 17 degrees and water ingress to No. 1 hull. Though attempts were made to right the vessel, the crew were ordered to abandon ship at 22:00. The captain, lieutenant and the quartermaster remained to try and save the ship, but had to abandon the attempt themselves and the Christoforos finally sank at 05:30 on 3rd October 1983. She now sits upright in 43 meters of water less than 200m from shore in Panormos.
Diving has only been allowed here since 2018, so the wreck is very well preserved and a real treat to dive. Permission to dive here was granted by the authorities after lots of incredibly hard work by the Skopelos Dive Center staff. Having a fantastic wreck in such an amazing location and in excellent condition is a real privilege.
Of all the sites in Skopelos this was the site Mike and I were most keen to experience. Having kitted up and zipped across the bay to the mooring, we left the surface and followed the descent line until the wreck emerged spectacularly from the blue at 15m. She is a big and beautiful wreck, sitting as though calmly continuing her journey along the seabed. With most of her original features still intact there were points of interest everywhere, including the anchors, winches, ships telegraphs, the wheel and RDF antenna.
We found that aquatic life had colonised the ship, with schools of fish, electric blue nudibranchs, a large moray eel and the resident scorpionfish lurking inside the bridge. The Christoforos was truly a stunning wreck and despite maximising our time at depth we eventually had to say our goodbyes and begin the slow and steady return to the surface.
After a superb morning dive we had the afternoon to do a little sightseeing of the island, with a trip to the church of Agios Ioannis Kastri made famous by the blockbuster movie “Mamma Mia!”. Mike and I spent a happy afternoon pootling around in our little hire car before meeting up with Lina from Skopelos Dive Center. An underwater archeologist as well as a dive professional, Lina had offered to show us a rather special attraction, the Christoforos shipwreck Digital Spot public information and awareness centre.
A fantastic initiative made possible from the collaboration of the government and hard work of the staff at Skopelos Dive Center is the “Digital Spot” in Agnontas port. This information center has a number of displays on the history of the Christoforos wreck, the process by which the wreck was allowed to be opened to the public for diving tourism, other sites of historical interest in the area, a video of the wreck and the best bit, a virtual reality dry dive experience! The beauty of the VR system is that non diving members of the family can see what you have seen on the wreck, or you can see areas that you may not have explored during the dive due to time or depth limitations. It was a truly immersive experience and a great addition to the dive itself.
After a wonderful day we celebrated our last evening on the island with an exquisite meal in Skopelos Town with fabulous views over the town and bay, washed down with the excellent local wine. The lamb with lemon and potatoes was a meal which I could happily eat every day for the rest of my life!
Skopelos is an island that truly has it all. The diving is excellent, the landscape is beautiful with plenty of non diving activities, the locals friendly and the food and drink superb. Given how accessible it is as a holiday destination it has avoided becoming overcrowded and even in peak season offers a fun yet relaxing atmosphere. We highly recommend giving Skopelos a visit. We will certainly be back again!
Thanks to:
Municipality of Skopelos (https://skopelos.com/)
Skopelos Dive Center (https://sporadesdiving.gr/)
Ionia Hotel (https://www.ioniahotel.gr/en)
Dolphin of Skopelos (https://dolphinofskopelos.com/)
Ta Kymata restaurant (@takymata)
The Muses restaurant (https://www.facebook.com/TheMussesMousses/)
Aktaiov resturant (https://skopelos.com/listings/aktaion-taverna/)
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