Lundy Island, North Devon
England’ s first Marine Conservation Zone, Lundy is a walking advert for the benefits of protecting key marine areas, where fishing is restricted or banned outright. The island lies about 12 miles off the coast of north Devon, and is a haven for wildlife both underwater, on land and in the air. Lundy’ s extraordinary diversity of marine life is generated by its mixture of habitats, from inshore reefs to pinnacles, kelp, shipwrecks and seaweed forests. Beginner divers can choose their depth and dive safely within their limits. Lundy is also known for its population of grey seals, which sometimes choose to play with divers.
Anglesey, Wales
Anglesey has some of the most dramatic coastlines in Wales, and it is possible to dive from the shore at several locations. Rugged granite topography and secluded bays backed by the mountains of Snowdonia make for stunning views. The panorama also extends underwater to produce exciting reefs, pinnacles and drop offs. Anglesey has become a very popular wreck diving location, the whole area has yielded many fascinating sites and most of them are in depths up to 20 metres and just a short boat ride away from launch sites such as Trearddur Bay and Holyhead. Trearddur Bay is noted for the diversity of its marine life, and is a traditional‘ baptism’ spot for new UK divers.
West Cornwall and the Scilly Isles
The further west you go in south west England, the clearer the water seems to become as dive sites become exposed to the oceanic water of the Atlantic. Cornwall has plenty of iconic dives, from the Lizard peninsula to the exposed rocks off the end of Penzance. During the summer months you can see harmless basking sharks, the second biggest fish in the sea, as they arrive to filter feed on blooming zooplankton off the south coast. Further west beyond Land’ s End, you arrive at the picturesque Isles of Scilly, where the granite rock faces are carpeted with colonies of jewel anemones, and the water is crisp and clear. This is a sub-tropical paradise, a place that is recognisably English, yet utterly apart.
17