SCUBA presents a sixth set of entries from our writing competition
Simon Betts is a big fan of the shore dive at Martin’ s Haven, where he once enjoyed a magical encounter
COMPETITION
A Dive to Remember
SCUBA presents a sixth set of entries from our writing competition
Winner announced
Congratulations to James Hickman of Reading Bluecoats, who scored the most points based on marks out of 10 from each of the three judges. You can read James’ compelling piece on Whirl Rocks in the Farne Islands in the previous issue, December 2025. Thanks again to my fellow judges Yo-Han Cha and Kirsty Andrews, and to our sponsor O’ Three for providing a 90 Ninety Trilaminate Dry Suit worth £ 2,500 as the star prize. We hope to return with another competition in 2026. Simon Rogerson, Editor
Worth £ 2500
A calm day at Martin’ s Haven
Quietly beautiful
Simon Betts is a big fan of the shore dive at Martin’ s Haven, where he once enjoyed a magical encounter
Briefing: There’ s something undeniably magical about slipping beneath the surface at Martin’ s Haven in Pembrokeshire. Tucked away at the edge of the Marloes Peninsula, this quiet little cove doesn’ t look like much from the car park – just a sloping pebble beach, the odd curious hiker, and the puffin-lovers waiting for the boat to Skomer Island. But for divers? This place is something else entirely.
The Dive: The entry’ s easy – a relaxed wade though the pebbles will test your dignity in fins – but once you dip below, the real charm starts. Martin’ s Haven feels like a portal to another world, a place where time slows down and the usual humdrum is swapped out for kelp forests swaying like underwater wheat fields and rock gullies bursting with life.
I remember my first dive here – viz was surprisingly good for the UK, a calm day with barely a ripple on the surface. The water had that familiar, cool hug to it – crisp, a bit bracing, but nothing a well-fitting drysuit couldn’ t handle. Within minutes, we spotted a cluster of spider crabs gathered on a sandy patch, claws lazily twitching, eyes on stalks tracking us like we were guests at a bizarre little tea party. There must’ ve been a dozen of them, clambering over each other like awkward toddlers. It was weirdly hypnotic.
But the real magic – the kind that makes Martin’ s Haven unforgettable – came later in the dive. We were hovering near a kelp bed when a shape moved out of the corner of my eye. A grey seal. Then another. One hung back, eyeing us shyly, while the other swam in lazy loops, clearly showing off. I stayed as still as I could, barely breathing, as it came within touching distance. Those big, soulful eyes staring into mine – playful, intelligent, a little cheeky. It’ s the kind of moment that makes you grin into your regulator.
Debrief: There’ s no reef here, no tropical colours or dramatic walls. But Martin’ s Haven doesn’ t need that. It’ s got atmosphere. It’ s got character. It’ s the kind of dive that reminds you why you fell in love with UK diving in the first place – wild, unpredictable, and quietly beautiful. I’ d go back in a heartbeat.
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