England Scuba Diving

When considering the coastal diving in England, there is a far greater choice on offer, particularly in the south west, where sites such as Porthkerris and Lundy Island have grown in reputation in recent years. However there is also diving to the found in the north east.

There are large numbers of scuba diving organisations in the North East of England, and they are relatively well served by a number of decent dive sites just off the North East coast. Areas such as the Farne Islands, located three miles off the coast provide some good diving, although the unpredictable nature of the weather here should always be taken into consideration when planning a dive. Outside of the popular Farne Islands, areas such as Beadwell also provide some interesting diving for those willing to brave the colder waters off the north east coast of England.

Scuba Diving South West England

The south west coast of England offers what is arguably the best scuba diving in England, and due to the slightly warmer water and increased levels of visibility in the region, there is also a slightly different marine life than can be found elsewhere in England. Within the south west of England, the most popular dive locations are sites such as the Isles of Scilly and Lundy Island in the Bristol Channel. Good amounts of wrecks and an interesting and varied marine life can be found in these waters.

Throughout the UK, the cooler nature of the climate and the coastal waters mean that the best time for diving in England is during the summer months of June to September, when the waters can average 12 - 20 degrees C. Generally though, the visibility can be quite low, although this does tend to clear slightly during the summer months.

Amongst the more well known dive sites in the south west of England are Porthkerris Cove and Lundy Island, both of which are known for the large numbers of basking sharks which can be found in the region during the early summer plankton blooms. Dolphins are also regularly encountered in these waters.

Although there are a number of good dive sites within the UK, there are also a few exceptional ones such as Portland Harbour, Lundy and Porthkerris. Careful planning and some good fortune with the weather can allow for some exceptionally good diving within England's coastal waters.