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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