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Diving in the UK tends to be reserved for more experienced divers as the dive conditions are challenging - that said there are many dive groups (See BSAC) and dive operators that will be able to take you to the broad range of British diving safely.
What makes the bulk of the amazing diving destinations in England are the sheer numbers of its shipwrecks mainly those that were sunk during WW2. Since the conditions are frequently harsh, wet suits are required and the visibility is also low. But advance divers know the drill, and the experience is very rewarding. Other than wreck diving, there are also drift and some reef diving in some areas with clear visibility of up to 20 metres.
There are a variety of marine life to see such as basking sharks, seals, cuttlefish, octopus, conger eels, lobsters, crabs, seahorses, bib, pollack, bass, wrasse, blennies, and gobies. Some dive sites have richer marine life that includes pike, roach, perch and freshwater crayfish.
The below map, (click 'read more') is courtesy of English Heritage and shows the wide variety of protected wrecks in the UK.
Please note that for many you will need to apply for a lisence before you dive there and you can do so here.
England is an active participant for marine conservation efforts in the UK. It recently added 27 marine conservation zones (MCZ) into its existing protected waters. Its purpose is to protect seahorses, coral reefs, oyster beds and other marine life in the said areas.
England has generally warm(ish) summers and cool winters. This kind if climate is called temperate maritime which means that it is mild with temperatures ranging around 0C in winter and 30C in summer. The weather is generally a topic of conversation in which it is rarely 'just right' - even the most persistent complainers about the rain will complain when the thermometer creeps up to 30 degrees Celsius.
The water temperatures vary greatly by season. In March, the water temperatures hover around 7°C (45°F) and by May they have generally reached 9°C (48°F). England’s waters warm up in summer (August and September) up to a maximum of 17°C (63°F).
The diving season is year round for brave divers as the diving conditions are harsher during winter.
The general transportation system of England is good sporting generally modern infrastructure. On rural areas however travel becomes a lot more difficult and hiring a car is often the easiest way to get around.
There are trains, rapid transits, trams and light rail, boats, taxis and rental cars but be forewarned though to check before you travel as prices can be very high. Buying train tickets on the same day can be rediculously over priced. This is not continential Europe!
Some of England’s domestic flights are offered by British Airways, BMI, BMIbaby, EasyJet and Ryanair.
Check out National Express or Mega Bus for coach travel.
TheTrainline.com is useful for pre-booking rail travel.
A careful travel plan using a pre-booked train (or bus/coach system) is the cheapest way to travel in England.
Diving Chambers; http://www.londondivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=contact&page=11®ion=5&country=63
Wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England
Cornwall, United Kingdom
Cornwall is the most popular county in England for recreational diving with 200 kilometres of coastline, deep clear blue water, some 35,000 ship wrecks and several offshore reefs and rock formations. No matter the weather conditions, it’s possible to find sheltered diving conditions...
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Isle of Man, United Kingdom
Recognized as a self-governing British Crown Dependency, the Isle of Man or quit simply Mann, is situated in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland. The island was originally inhabited as far back as 6500 B.C. as one of the six Celtic...
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Northumberland, United Kingdom
Famed for its diving with the curious friendly seals at the Farne Islands, these islands are a haven for sea life and are an excellent place to visit for divers, photographers and bird watchers! Northumberland is one of the most popular diving...
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Oban & Inner Hebrides, United Kingdom
Oban is known as one of Scotland's main diving areas. The landscape is mountainous and the archipelago of islands offers many areas of sheltered water. There are large wrecks to explore from 5m-50m in sheltered conditions, and variety of marine life. The...
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Plymouth, United Kingdom
A great cold water diving destination, Plymouth offers divers lots of historic wrecks and a diverse marine life, along with the chance of seeing one of the largest plankton feeders, the strange looking Basking Shark! Plymouth’s diving is all in and around...
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Swanage, United Kingdom
Swanage is a coastal town in the south east of the English county, Dorset. This Victorian era town beholds a heritage and prosperity that can be attributed to its unique place in the quarrying history of the country. Further evidence of the...
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