Recommendations for UK diving September 2025

[JFKelly]

Hi — I am looking to do a week’s diving when I visit the UK early to mid September and am looking for site / operator recommendations.

I’ve not dived in the UK before and I’m keen to see some historic wrecks, some nature too.

I am certified to 40m with 70 dives, GUE fundamentals but rec pass not tech (yet). Have mainly dived in Sydney until now.

Any suggestions welcome, thanks!

 

[Edward3c]

Which part of the U.K. are you staying.

 

[JFKelly]

Which part of the U.K. are you staying.

I can go wherever the diving is, but non-diving obligations will be London and Midlands

 

[Edward3c]

I can go wherever the diving is, but non-diving obligations will be London and Midlands

Most of the Charters along the South coast are just 'taxis' to get you to/from the dive site. They take no responsibility for your dive plan or execution. To be honest that applies throughout the UK.

I'm based West Coast of Scotland where most diving is done by the local clubs, and English clubs that travel up. The good charteres are normally fully booked at least a year in advance, some are taking booking for 2026/7.

Will you have your own kit? as charters don't supply equipment.

 

[Marcozx]

Sounds like a week in scapa is what you need

 

[johnohuk]

As others have said, South Coast is where its concentrated... Brighton, Eastbourne, Portsmouth, Weymouth, Swanage, Dartmouth, Plymouth... I have a feeling vis gets better further West you go.. but not always.

 

[MB NZ]

- Scapa
- Farne Islands (NE England) to dive with seals
- South coast wrecks
- Stoney Cove - just because you're going to be in the Midlands, so why not!

No sharks to worry about! Bring a drysuit!

 

[DiveLikeAMuppet]

Include Wraysbury if you are near London, it's unforgettable - a plane and a cave in a single dive (if you can find it...)

On a more serious note, Scapa Flow is your best bet if you want to have a nearly guaranteed week of diving. But you need join a group on a charter and sort your kit. I think there is a GUE-friendly trip in September but you probably want to be able to do some deco to really enjoy the wrecks.

South Coast - InDeep in Plymouth is the closest you can get to a "dive operator". Possibly DiversDown in Swanage if you can put up with their quirks.

Your challenge will be weather (no guarantees for a good week), getting a space as most boats are charters that only go out over the weekend and obviously the fact that almost all are just water taxis.

You can also ask for some teammates on the GUE-UK group on Facebook (don't judge ).

 

[chrisch]

Another vote for the Plymouth area. It is not too far from London/Midlands. September can be good and if you are lucky you should get some decent sea life as well as the wrecks. If you have the time and want to do so you can go even further west to Cornwall. As above the vis tends to get better as you go west.

Most of the UK is GUE friendly and the best (in my view) wreck diving is the 20-40m range. Might be worth trying a UK forum - Scubaboard is a great resource but is a bit US oriented.

UK diving is a bit in the doldrums at the minute. Bad weather and expensive fuel and accomodation have been features of the last 5 years or so. We also have problems with water pollution. To get the best out of your trip I would suggest looking at the tourist type operators as they cater for people without a buddy.

As above In Deep in Plymouth are OK. Also Porthkerris Divers in Cornwall. The area round the Sound of Mull in Scotland is worth a visit if you don't mind the distance.

Best of luck with the weather and vis.

 

[JFKelly]

Thanks to everyone for their valuable input!