Plymouth is surrounded by water and intimately connected with it. Indeed, this regional capital, which sits at the point where 3 rivers meet forming the Plymouth Sound and joining the English Channel, is known as Britain’s Ocean City. Many people go exploring these waterways in sailing boats, kayaks, or on stand up paddleboards, but they don’t scratch the surface of the aquatic environment which surrounds the city. There’s an entire underwater world here, full of life, action and beauty, and the only way to discover it is by scuba diving.

Nature hasn’t blessed us with the lung capacity or gills necessary to spend long periods of time under the water, but technology has stepped in to allow us to do just that. Modern diving equipment is unobstructive, easy to use, and perfect for feeling the freedom and excitement of underwater exploration. And it’s not just the submerged sights that make Plymouth a mecca for scuba enthusiasts, there’s also a large number of shops in the city, and scuba schools and diving clubs in the area. All of these allow divers of all stripes, from first timers to veterans, to get into the water with the right kit, correct guidance, and affordable prices.

Where are the best diving spots in Plymouth?

• Eddystone: The Eddystone Lighthouse stands on an outcrop of jagged rocks which lie just below the surface of the sea, 10 miles out into the English Channel. The purpose of the lighthouse was to warn ships to stay away from this hidden danger, but now it’s a useful way point for the divers who come here to enjoy what is considered to be one of the best scuba spots in the British Isles. There’s a whole variety of wonderful things to see here, from rock formations, kelp forests and wildlife such as bass, cuckoo wrasse and many kinds of crabs and other crustaceans.

• Hilsea Point: Closer to Plymouth Point, this reef has a great underwater route that takes you on a real journey. Starting at 8 metres below the surface, you descend down a series of shelves where sea fans, ross coral and jewel anemones cling to the rocks, and dogfish swim around the rocks and tunnels. The maximum depth is 25 metres, and if you time your immersion right, you can get the tide to carry you back to the start point after completing the route.

• Drake’s Island: This small island, named after the famous Elizabethan adventurer, lies at the mouth of the River Tamar, where freshwater and seawater meet. There are a number of places around its rugged coast that are popular among divers, especially those with an interest in sea sponges. Fish are also plentiful here - shoals of colourful fish dart about amidst the rocks, and bottom feeding flatfish can be spotted lurking on the seabed.

• Shipwrecks: One of the most exciting privileges that divers enjoy is the ability to explore the strange, enchanting worlds of sunken ships. These are hybrid environments, where the artificial structure of the vessel is covered and, to an extent, reclaimed by nature. Corals and seaweeds grow on their internal and external surfaces, shellfish fix themselves to their hulls, and fish find shelter and safety in spaces that were once used by sailors and passengers. There are numerous wrecks in the Area, like the HMS Scylla and the James Eagan Layne which are located near the surface, and the Skaala and Totnes Castle, which are hidden in the inky depths, around 50 metres beneath the waves.

Options for organising an experience

- Diving is much more than just swimming underwater. The technical aspects and the risks associated with diving irresponsibly of this sport means that it’s regulated by two bodies, the British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC) and the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). There are schools and clubs in Plymouth which are partnered with both of these organisations, which means that you’re guaranteed to be in good hands if you’re a newcomer to this world. To get a taste, you can have an introductory session with many of the scuba schools in the area. Known as Try Dives or Dive Experiences, these sessions usually take place in indoor pools, so that you can learn about the equipment and experience the liberating sensation of moving around underwater in controlled conditions, and they last 1 or 2 hours.

- But as we’ve made clear, the best diving locations that this city has to offer aren’t found in swimming pools. So to get into the ocean and start discovering the natural beauty of the zone, you need to take some training. The most popular course is the PADI Open Water certificate, which is completed over a period of 4 to 7 days and includes multiple dives in different locations. The BASC equivalent is the Ocean Diver programme. If you’re not ready to commit to a full course, we recommend a full day course which will help you decide whether to take up this sport in a serious way.

- Completing some training will let you take full advantage of Plymouth’s location. But that’s not the end of your growth as a diver. There are numerous advanced training programmes available here, where you can specialise in certain areas or become a more proficient diver. There are also clubs that you can join so that you’re never without a dive buddy. Or you can try some related underwater pursuits like spear fishing.

Requirements to do this activity

If this activity is a family affair for you, you can give your children their baptism into one of the most rewarding pastimes, and welcoming communities, around when they’re just 8 years old. PADI has a club for children of this age, called Bubblemakers, which is present in pools in the area. From 10 years old, they can join the Seal Team, and training for a PADI or BSAC qualification can begin at 14 or 15 years old.

But you don’t have to be a member of a club to learn to scuba. Trial dive sessions are open to all kinds of people, including children and adults, and these can easily lead on to training courses, where you’ll progress from pool immersions to shore dives and open water excursions.

And if your training days are behind you, we can’t recommend this place enough as a British diving destination. You can experience all the best aspects of this sport here, from reef wildlife to shipwreck exploration, and there’s a warm and friendly community as well.

The Ocean City is the perfect place for a marine adventure, we’ll help you organise it as soon as you make a booking.