Recommendations for UK diving September 2025

[JFKelly]

By way of update it’s looking like I have lined up some dives (!).

Too risky to try and get away with my semi-dry, or is it time to stump up for a drysuit?

 

[Alison in Fiji]

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!

Scapa flow. You could book with the Valhala live aboard Award winning Orkney diving charter Scapa Flow, Shetland and Norway.

 

[Edward3c]

By way of update it’s looking like I have lined up some dives (!).

Too risky to try and get away with my semi-dry, or is it time to stump up for a drysuit?

That really depends on where and the type of dives you’ve planned. On the South coast you could get away with it, if Scotland I suggest a drysuit (but do you know how to use one?).

 

[DiveLikeAMuppet]

By way of update it’s looking like I have lined up some dives (!).

Too risky to try and get away with my semi-dry, or is it time to stump up for a drysuit?

Depends on your buddies / teammates too and where you might be diving. Standard South coast charter will run two dives without coming back to harbour - you will get quite cold in a semi-dry. You will be fine in a wetsuit on shallow dives with short trips on a RHIB.

 

[Edward3c]

That really depends on where and the type of dives you’ve planned. On the South coast you could get away with it, if Scotland I suggest a drysuit (but do you know how to use one?).

Just to add, when you take the course, it’s another 25+ dives before you start to get comfortable diving dry.

 

[MarkA]

Depends on your buddies / teammates too and where you might be diving. Standard South coast charter will run two dives without coming back to harbour - you will get quite cold in a semi-dry. You will be fine in a wetsuit on shallow dives with short trips on a RHIB.

Started diving in the UK with a 2 piece 8mm semi dry. After a long miserable day at the farne islands at the end of August, I must have been close to hypothermic. Used a dry suit since then.

If you do use a semi dry. Use a decent wooly hat and a wind proof coat over the suit. Get out of it as soon as possible and wrap up warm. Don’t get cold between dives.

 

[JFKelly]

I suggest a drysuit (but do you know how to use one?).

Thanks, yes I’ve dived in them before.