Five Memorable Dives off the UK’s Southwest Coast

The Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The Maldives. The Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Though these tropical paradises are also some of the most famous dive spots on the planet, did you know that there’s amazing diving right here on the United Kingdom’s southwest coast? From Land’s End to Cornwall to Devon to Plymouth, there are some interesting things to see just off the shoreline, and the only way to see them is to strap on your tank, your regulator and your fins and start kicking. Ready? Set? Dive!

The Wreck of the City of Westminster

It’s no surprise that the spot where the English Channel meets the Atlantic Ocean would be an excellent source for shipwrecks. And one of the most interesting from a diving perspective is the City of Westminster. This 6,094 ton steamship which measured 143 metres was a victim in October 1923 of Runnel Stone, which used to protrude above sea level – until the City of Westminster ran into it and shattered the top as it traveled from Rotterdam to Belfast. Luckily nobody was lost that night, and now the City of Westminster boasts an intact stern and much steel plating, ribs and deck fittings. The five to 15 metre visibility in the area also allows you to see numerous plumose and other anemones along with some stunning large ballan wrasse, congers, ling, tope, bib, cod and bass, surrounded by granite pinnacles and white sand bottomed gullies. Keep in mind that strong tidal currents and a challenging surface swell make this a trip for experienced divers only. After the dive you can retreat to the comfort of your Penzance hotel room just minutes away.

Porthkerris Reef

Though not nearly as exciting as the Great Barrier Reef, Cornwall also provides a view of abundant sea life in its own Porthkerris Reef and Drawna Rocks. Porthkerris Divers offers boat charters, equipment and lessons, all on the Lizard Peninsula. Diving to a depth of 15 metres and with up to 15 metres of visibility, there’s a lot to see in this area. Marine life on the reef includes wrasse of all colours, shapes and sizes, mullet, crabs, sea urchins and starfish. Keep a look-out for the unusual John Dory and take some time to admire the kelp forests wafting on the swell. The jewel anemones on the seaward side of the rocks come in all the colors of the rainbow, and you will kick yourself if you forget your camera. For three-star luxury at the end of your dive, you can head to the Housel Bay Hotel in nearby Lizard.

The Watcombe Caves

Heading to the county of Devon and the seaside village of Torbay, we come to the intriguing Watcombe Caves, which are set out in the waters of Lyme Bay. Dives and visibility are both around 10 metres normally, and again, you will definitely want to bring your camera. Stunning rock formations and an abundance of colorful marine life await you beneath the waves. The caves are actually more like swim-throughs, and it doesn’t take much time to emerge to the other side. In fact, due to the ease of navigation, the Watcombe Caves are a great place to practice cave diving for the beginner. If you’d like some guidance, I would suggest going to the Teign Diving Centre, which runs trips out to the caves on a regular basis. When it’s time to look for lodging, you can head inland to the historical city of Exeter which is 20 miles away or to the seaside city of Torquay, which is only seven miles down the coast. Or stay in one of many Teignmouth hotels.

Cannonball Alley and Breakwater Fort

If you want to enjoy some good diving and enjoy the convenience of city life at the same time, there’s Plymouth. This city has a lot of history, and it doesn’t end at the shoreline. For example, if you contented yourself with the view of Breakwater Fort from your Plymouth hotel room you’d be missing half the fun. Built in 1854 to defend the city against Napoleon III, the circular fort’s walls go down 12 metres to the sea floor. Used for many years as a training area for divers, the site boasts a fishing boat and a decompression chamber, along with lots of dogfish and scallops. If you really want to get hands-on, there’s the reef at Cannonball Alley, which is littered with centuries of cannonballs left over from the nearby HMS Cambridge Firing Range. There’s also a rocky seabed, lots of kelp and lots of Sealife in a peaceful area perfect for beginners. Look out for the spiny starfish, which can reach over a metre in length.

Shark Diving

If you’ve ever considered swimming with the sharks, the water off the Cornish towns of Padstow and Bude are the place to do it. Fifteen miles from the shore in shallow waters is where Richard Peirce will drop you into the water in an open shark cage for a chance to experience blue sharks and porbeagles up close and personal. With 10 metres of visibility, you’ll see the ferocious critters as they approach. Your trip begins with a bit of mackerel fishing, said mackerel to be used to attract the sharks. Porpoise sightings are common on the way out to the sharks’ feeding grounds. Then it’s time to throw the chum into the water, and after the first shark sighting, the first brave soul hits the water to get a closer look. Seals and dolphins are also common sights, and when you get back to shore, you can use the complimentary wireless Internet access in your room at the two-star Cross House Hotel in Padstow to send photos to your friends back home.