England

TOP DIVE SITES – ENGLAND




Aeolian Sky – the wreck of a big modern Greek freighter lies on the port side at a depth of 32 m. The ship collided with a German ship in fog and sank in 1979. The sea bed is littered with parts of the wreck and some cargo. Penetration of the wreck is possible, however, may be difficult and is recommended only to very experienced divers. Divers should be aware of strong tides frequent in this area.
Location: Dorset
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: rock
Requirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water


Babbacombe Bay – this site is famous for the beautiful reef. A great spot for night diving, as well as for beginners and training because it is located in a sheltered bay. There is plenty of life in this area. Divers may see crabs, shrimps, cuttlefish, pipefish, triggerfish, dogfish and many other species. This is an easy and shallow dive. The maximum depth is 15 m.
Location: Babbacombe, Devon County
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: rock, sand, pebbles
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Beadnell Point – this is a great and very picturesque spot for beginners as well as for advanced divers. There is plenty of marine life (cods, lobsters, crabs, wrasses, etc.), a reef and the remains of two wrecks. The maximum depth is 10 m.
Location: Beadnell, Northumberland
Type of dive: shore dive
Sea bed: rock
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Betsy Anna (Ashington) – the wreck of a small collier lies at a depth of 24 m. The ship hit the rocks in fog and sank in 1926. Nowadays the wreck gives shelter to many marine species such as conger eels, bibs, pollocks, blennies, cuttlefish and lobsters. Currents in this area can be very strong. The wreck belongs to the University of London Sub-Aqua Club.
Location: Swanage, Dorset County
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: pebbles
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


City of Westminster – the ship was on her way from Rotterdam to Belfast when ran into thick fog, hit Runnel Stone and sank in 1923. The wreck has changed into an artificial reef, covered with colourful anemones. It is also common to see eels, cods, wrasses and lobsters in this area. The maximum depth is 35 m.
Location: Cornwall
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: sand
Requirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water


Drawna Rocks – the main attraction of this spot is a nice reef. Divers may swim around the reef and rocks accompanied by crabs, starfish, wrasses, pollacks, shrimps, sea cucumbers, eels, butterfish, flatfish and many other marine species. The maximum depth is 20 m but novices have also plenty to discover at shallower depths.
Location: Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall
Type of dive: shore dive
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Fleur de Lys – the wreck of a small French fishing boat lies at a relatively shallow depth of 13 m. The boat sank in 2000. This is an ideal spot for beginners because the bay is well-sheltered. With a bit of luck one may see a conger eel hiding in the wreck.
Location: Swanage, Dorset County
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: sand
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Galicia – the wreck of a huge vessel lies at a depth of 20 m. The ship hit a mine and sank in 1917. The wreck is pretty broken up but it gives shelter to many marine species (eels, pollacks, wrasses, lobsters and crabs).
Location: Lyme Bay, Devon County
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: sand
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Kyarra – the wreck of an Australian steam ship lies at a depth of 30 m. The ship was torpedoed by a German U-boat and sank in 1918. This is one of the most popular wrecks in the UK and is a must for all divers visiting the southern part of England. The residents of the wreck include gobies, dogfish, sea bass, pollacks, eels and many other species. Many parts of the wreck can be penetrated. The sea bed is littered with bottles and other artifacts.
Location: Swanage, Dorset County
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: sand
Requirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water


M2 – the wreck of a British submarine lies intact at a depth of 36 m. She was carrying a seaplane – a routine mission – when the hangar doors were opened too early. M2 sank in 1932. It is covered with marine life. The wreck of M2 is protected by the Military Remains Act and thus divers cannot enter the wreck nor remove any part.
Location: Dorset
Type of dive: boat dive
Requirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water


Mohegan – the wreck of a huge luxury liner. The ship hit the rocks and sank in 1898. 106 people lost their lives. The tragedy was probably caused by a human error. The area is teeming with marine life. Basking sharks are sometimes seen in this area. The depth ranges from 16 m to 28 m.
Location: Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: sand
Requirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water


Moldavia – the giant wreck of an armed merchant cruiser lies at a depth of 45 m. The ship was torpedoed by an U-boat and sank in 1918. The residents of this area include pollacks, blennies, eels, bibs, lobsters and crabs. This is a weather-dependent dive.
Location: Littlehampton, West Sussex
Type of dive: boat dive
Requirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water


Montagu – the wreck of a British battleship lies at a depth of 15 m. The ship ran into a reef and sank in 1906. The wreck is quite damaged but this is an interesting site. Seals can be often seen in this area.
Location: Lundy Island, Devon County
Type of dive: boat dive
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Raglans Reef and Vase Rock – two beautiful reefs at a maximum depth of 45 m. Both are covered in jewel anemones.
Location: Manacles, Cornwall
Type of dive: boat dive
Requirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water


St. Mary’s Island – this site is great for beginners. There are small reefs, beautiful rock formations, a wreck of Janet Clark and plenty of life. Janet Clark was on her way from Norway to Wales when she ran into bad weather and ran aground in the 19th century. The inhabitants of this zone include wrasses, blennies, gobies, crabs, lobsters, octopi and butterfish. The maximum depth is 10 m.
Location: St. Mary’s Island, Tyne and Wear
Type of dive: shore dive
Sea bed: rock
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Watcombe Caves – these caves are more like swim throughs and offer a great and picturesque dive. An ideal place for underwater photography thanks to amazing rock formations and colourful marine life. The maximum depth is 15 m.
Location: Lyme Bay, Devon County
Type of dive: boat dive
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water