UK DIVING
St Abbs, east Scotland
This quiet seaside village is known for its beginner-friendly shore dives, of which Cathedral Rock is the most famous. This is a dive with some exquisite topography, chiefly a natural double arch covered in soft corals and anemones. Other classic shore diving spots nearby include an imposing rock called the Broad Craig, and Big Green Carr, a bit further out. There are also plenty of sites suitable for boat diving. Although it’ s geographically not so far away from the Farnes( see below), the nature of the reefs is completely different. There are only a few seals, but the concentration of marine life is extraordinary, with many species of fish, crustaceans and invertebrates to be found by the attentive diver.
The Farne Islands, Northumberland
Don’ t believe anyone who tells you the North Sea doesn’ t have good diving. For my money, the Farne Islands offers some of the best all-round diving in the UK. Located a few miles offshore within the proximity deep water, these exposed islands are a haven for wildlife and feature some wildly colourful reefs. There are also wrecks here, though the exposed nature of these islands breaks them up quite quickly, so you are in effect diving on debris fields covered in anemones and corals. The Farnes are also known for a colony of around 6,000 grey seals, making it possibly the best place to dive with these playful pinnipeds. �
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