Scuba Diving Sites within the UK and Overseas

UK Above 18 Meters

Selsey lifeboat station was established at Selsey in 1861, many rescues took place off the coast. In 1838 even before a Lifeboat was stationed at Selsey A Silver Medal was awarded to Lieut. E B Westbrook RN for saving three men from the sloop "Ann". In 1861 a lifeboat station was established at Selsey and a double-banked lifeboat, Named "Friend" 35 feet long and rowing 12 oars, was sent to the station. The lifeboat was launched over the beach on skids. The cost of the Lifeboat was provided for by the Society Of Friends.

Selsey East Beach sluice rocks are named after the former rainfall run-off, of which some pipe work still remains underwater between the second and third groyne to the west of East Beach launching ramp. This pipe work lies in around 4m of depth and runs along side the face of East Beach, spider crab and greater pipefish can be found around this area along with wrasse and other marine life.

Far Mulberry Unit was built as temporary harbour wall during the D-Day landings but never made it as far as France. It is located about three miles from Pagham, near Bognor Regis and lie in an east-west direction covering a distance of about 45 meters (140 feet).

Countess of Erne (Portland Harbour) was a paddle steamer, but was used in later life as a coal hulk in Portland harbour. It sank in 1935 after its moorings broke lose. The site is within the shelter of the harbour, parallel to the northeast wall next to the white lighthouse - there is usually a fixed shot marking the stern which is the north end of the wreck. The wreckage lies upright and is still intact, although much of the superstructure has gone.

Landing Craft & Bombardon Unit (Portland Harbour) rests on the slope of the harbour wall on the inside of the outer breakwater 50 34.33N; 02 24.91W at a depth of around 11m, being mainly on rocks it tends to be less silty than other wrecks within Portland Harbour. Approximately 70 yards. North of the Bombardon Unit you will locate the Landing Craft 50 34.37N; 02 24.90W. You can successfully visit both wrecks as part of one dive following a guild line which joins both wrecks. The Landing Craft is in good condition with its deck complete, and both diesel engines can be seen.

Unidentified Dredger (Portland Harbour) lies on the outside slope of the inner breakwater of Portland Harbour 50 34.03N; 02 25.45W in an area known as Balaclava Bay. The dredger is well broken and lies around 10m almost at the foot of the breakwater. This is a well sheltered site except from the east and south-east winds.

Durdle Door Drift (Portland Harbour) the famous rock arch of Durdle Door is the main feature of the eastern end of the beach. However an underwater reef which dries out in places extends about 100 yards offshore, outside the reef a drop-off with broken stones and rocks occurs to depths of around 14m. Drift diving here is excellent with wrasse, lobster and large crabs to be found within the rocks.

Swanage Pier will rarely be the same twice. Sometimes you will see nothing at all, yet other times life can be prolific with shoals of pollack, hundreds of spider and edible crabs, anemones with their tentacles wafting in the current and snails and hermit crabs going about there business.

UK Inland Dive Sites

Vobster Quay Dive Centre is a great inland dive centre just outside of Bath, this dive centre has a lot to offer all levels of diver qualification and experience.
Depth ranges from 6 - 40m with water temperatures changing depended of depth

Wraysbury Dive Centre is a great little inland dive centre just between J13 - J14 of the M25, this dive centre has a lot to offer trainee divers. Depths range from 3 - 14m with training platforms placed within the lake.

Horsea Island Dive Centre is the only inland salt-water diving facility in the UK. It offers divers the opportunity to dive in sea-like conditions in a safe, sheltered environment. Ideal for training divers and for divers wanting to refresh skills or try out new kit.

Brighton Shark Diving this dive took place under a controlled environment within Brighton Sea-Life Centre. Neither feeding nor touching of these wonderful creatures is allowed, you just have the pleasure of being allowed to join them in their wonderful underwater world.

Diving Overseas

Gran Canaria started with just snorkeling off a cove in Playa Del Ingles, then shortly followed by making a phone call to Jerry at Canary Diving Adventures.

 

Cyprus, Napa Safari Unlike my diving in Gran Canaria this dive trip was booked a pre-arranged over the internet after finding a dive centre online called Dive-In.

Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt This page contains scuba diving images from my daughters diving holiday in Sharm El Sheikh Egypt. Using a  dive centre called Ocean College operating out of Sharm, Jessica was booked onto a two day dive package consisting of four boat dives.