You Don’t get Good Diving in the UK October 31, 2012 by lukesheppard

 I instantly become suspicious of anyone who utters such a nonsense statement. I learned to dive in Egypt with my brother in spring 2010. I returned home and wanted to do more but at the time I believed the title of this article so it wasn’t until I was overseas in warmer climates later in the year before I took to diving again. In January 2011 I took the plunge and started to dive in the UK and I’m just upset I did not start sooner. Since the start of 2011 I have dived with the seals at Farne Islands three times – a truly marvellous experience which should be on every diver’s bucket list. The most playful and interactive creatures I’ve encountered in my short time diving by a long way. Truth be told there’s not even any diving involved – you put a reg in your mouth and sink 7 metres then just wait for them to come and start playing with you. The SS Hispania in the Sound of Mull is one of my favourite wrecks and I have dived the wrecks of the Northern Red Sea on a week liveaboard. Additionally the basking sharks we encountered in the area must be some of the most majestic creatures in the ocean.  So mesmerised was I by these gentle giants that the footage I shot is, at best, sketchy. I was too interested in watching them that I wasn’t even pointing my camera in the right direction. These are just two of my personal highlights from UK diving and does not even cover the local sites I like to take in when I can or the friends I have made diving in the UK. I am not exactly the most experienced diver but already I appreciate what the UK has to offer. So, if like I used to believe, you think there are no good diving sites in the UK I would urge you to contact your local dive centre or club and get out there and see what we have to offer in this country. I am certain you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Paul O’Brien – about the author I learned to dive in Egypt in spring 2010 and took up diving in the UK in January 2011. I have about 40 dives in the UK and 40 dives in warmer waters. I work in corporate communications and live in Glasgow.