With more than 11,000 miles of coastline, the UK and Ireland offer some of the most diverse and exciting dive sites in the world — from thriving kelp forests and playful seals to deep wrecks and colourful reefs.
Whether you’re a new diver looking for your first sea dive or an experienced explorer chasing technical wrecks, you’ll find unforgettable adventures in our waters. Here are just a few of our favourite UK diving destinations.
Farne Islands, Northumberland
Best for: Seal encounters and marine life
Photo by Jane Morgan
The Farne Islands are famous for their playful grey seals. These curious creatures often approach divers, nibble fins, and dance through the kelp forests. You’ll also find lunar-like limestone seascapes covered in blinking barnacles — adding to the magic of the experience.
Scapa Flow, Orkney Islands
Best for: Historic wreck diving
Photo by Bob Anderson
Scapa Flow is Britain’s most iconic wreck diving site. On 21 June 1919, Admiral von Reuter scuttled 74 German warships, creating an underwater museum of WWI history. Today, shafts of emerald light cut through the green water as you explore massive battleships and blockships in one of the world’s top wreck diving locations.
Malin Head, County Donegal
Best for: Deep wrecks and exceptional visibility
Photo by Steve Jones
Malin Head is a dream for advanced divers, home to super-sized shipwrecks, including HMS Audacious and RMS Justicia. The area was a key route during both World Wars, now offering wrecks of troopships, U-boats, and even submerged Sherman tanks.
Swanage Pier, Dorset
Best for: Beginner-friendly pier dives
Photo by Alison Pettitt
Swanage Pier is a perfect first sea dive. Beneath the Victorian structure lies a bustling nursery for bib, wrasse, pollock and velvet crabs. It’s also home to the UK’s oldest diving school — a popular spot to check gear, meet the local marine life and build confidence.
Submarine Arch, St Kilda
Best for: Dramatic underwater scenery and colourful marine life
Photo by Jane Morgan
Remote and awe-inspiring, the St Kilda archipelago offers some of the UK’s most striking diving. Beneath towering cliffs lies a labyrinth of underwater arches and rocky swim-throughs, set against a backdrop of jewel anemones, cup corals, sponges, and sea urchins.
Every inch of rock is alive with colour — from forget-me-not blues to fiery oranges. It’s like stepping into a psychedelic marine garden, where there’s something to marvel at in every direction.
The Drinking Dragon / Burroo Rock, Isle of Man
Best for: Rugged topography and reef life
Photo by Simon Rogerson
This southern Isle of Man site is a maze of gullies, soft coral walls and hidden surprises. You’ll find dead man’s fingers, vibrant anemones, crabs and even the occasional visiting grey seal. A magical dive full of texture, light and colour.
The Scilly Isles, Cornwall
Best for: Multi-wreck dives and seagrass meadows
Photo by Jane Morgan
Scattered across the Atlantic gateway, the Scilly Isles boast ancient and modern shipwrecks, seagrass beds, and crystal-clear waters. It’s one of the few UK destinations where you can explore multiple wrecks in a single dive — with the bonus of warm(ish) waters and stunning scenery.
Ready to dive in?
From shallow shore dives to historic wrecks, the UK and Ireland have it all. Whether you're just starting your scuba journey or planning your next underwater adventure, BSAC can help you get started, trained and supported.
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