Think about this for a second: seventy percent of the planet’s surface is covered in water, and the oceans, seas, rivers and lakes are home to over half of all life on Earth. When you put it like that, it feels like you’re missing out on something big if you don’t start exploring the world beneath the waves - and there’s no better way to do that than scuba diving. Kent, in Southeast England, has always been linked to water - the river Thames meets the sea in the North of the county, oysters and other seafood are plentiful, and the White Cliffs of Dover have welcomed sailors home after maritime voyages for centuries.

As humans belong to the minority of terrestrial creatures on Earth, taking to the waters isn’t a walk in the park. You need equipment and training before you can swim like a fish, but don’t worry, training courses are offered throughout here and what’s more, they’re guaranteed to be entertaining as well as informative. You’ll be in good hands because training courses are overseen by experienced and quality assured regulatory bodies - PADI and BSAC

If you’re already a seasoned diver, you’ll find a great variety of dive sites in Kent. There are coastal waters, rivers, estuaries and inland lakes, or head into the English Channel to discover the eerie sunken world of shipwrecks.

Where are the best places to go scuba diving in Kent?

• Holborough Lakes and Leybourne Lakes: when you think of scuba diving, you probably don’t think of gravel, but old flooded extraction pits around Snodland are now a real treat for scuba divers. The Holborough and Leybourne Lakes offer clean, deep and calm water in which to take your first dives, and the wooded shorelines make this a peaceful place above and below water. On top of that, the conditions in these lakes are suitable for beginners - don’t wait to get your certifications before experiencing an open water dive here!

• St Andrew’s Lakes: also part of Kent’s industrial legacy, St Andrew’s Lakes was a chalk mine and is now England’s deepest freshwater lake, reaching 34m deep. Here you’ll find a centre right at the water’s edge, with an underwater world of interesting submerged objects to explore. At a few metres below the surface you can observe a sunken speed boat, whereas if you’re experienced enough to penetrate the dark depths of the lake you could find anything from a caravan to a yacht, to who knows what else? Come and find out! This lake is also suitable for beginners.

• Dover: millions of ships have passed along the coast of Dover, but not all of them have been lucky enough to make it safely to port. In fact, there are more shipwrecks in this area than any other part of the country, making it a paradise for wreck divers. From warships sunk in naval battles to merchant vessels that ran aground on the treacherous shorelines, there’s a treasure trove to explore. These waters are also a great place to spot some marine life. Crustaceans are particularly prevalent here: lobsters, velvet swimming crabs, spider crabs and edible crabs make their home in these waters as well as a variety of fish species.

• Indoor: your first scuba experience is likely to take place in the controlled conditions of an indoor pool. The light levels in a pool are much better than open water and you won’t have to worry about currents or obstacles or changes in water temperature - just focus on getting used to the equipment and the magical feeling of weightlessness under the water. Most towns in the county, including Maidstone, Medway and Ramsgate have clubs with access to indoor pools and welcome newcomers to get a taste of scuba diving.

• Trip abroad: if you’ve had a go at this sport and want to get certified, why not combine it with a holiday? Dive clubs can help you organise a trip to a different part of the world where you can take a diving course. We have to admit, the Mediterranean, the Red Sea or the Maldives are pretty attractive places if you’re going to spend a lot of time in the water - at least in winter - and the fantastic underwater adventures in Kent will be waiting for you when you get back.

What kind of scuba lessons and courses are available?

You have the desire to dive into a whole new world, and Kent has the lesson or course for you. All training is carried out by registered organisations: the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), which boasts 6600 registered instructors and has awarded 27 million scuba certificates worldwide, and the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC), which counts among its former students King Charles III and his sons. Both offer courses for all levels, so there’s something for everyone.

- Be baptised into the scuba experience with a Try Dive, which can be organised with most dive clubs and will be a very short introduction to the sport in a pool or open water in the correct conditions. Alternatively, take a Discover Scuba Diving one day taster. You’ll be briefed on the safety and equipment, before your instructor guides you down below the water. Then you’ll take your first underwater breaths, and experience movement in 3 dimensions. Discover lessons take place in an indoor or calm water environment.

- Get a little deeper with the Scuba Diver course which lasts two days and includes even more time in the water. After completing this course you’ll be able to take part in supervised dives of up to 12m depth - that’s as much as a four storey building - around the world. This course also includes some studying of the basic principles of the sport.

- If you want a certificate that will let you scuba dive independently all over the world, choose the Open Water Diver Course. Completed in 4 - 7 days with multiple dives of up to 18m in depth, this course will give you the knowledge, ability and problem solving skills to call yourself a scuba diver. As well as practical classes and dive time, there’s some studying to complete, which can be done on an e-learning platform.

- Beyond the Open Water certification there is a multitude of further training that you can complete in Kent, from rescue operations, to night diving, to underwater photography, or an Advanced Open Water certificate. Of course, there are also courses to prepare you for becoming a Divemaster yourself and promoting scuba diving in your community. You’ll soon realise that there are as many different things to do underwater as there are above it! We think this is the perfect place to start this aquatic adventure.

Requirements to do this activity

Almost anyone! Even 8 year olds can be introduced to scuba diving in Kent with the Bubblemakers programme. Using equipment that is specially designed for children, youngsters can get in the water and dive to depths of up to two metres - where they’ll love blowing bubbles and playing with each other. This experience is an option for birthday parties - your children will have a celebration to remember and might start a lifelong hobby too.

If you’re between 10 and 15 years old, you’ll be a Junior Diver. The conditions for this age group are still limited, but you’ll spend more time underwater and the instructors will lead games and challenges so that you get used to diving whilst having fun. The indoor facilities, and calm conditions of inland lakes are options for Junior Divers.

From 15 years old, you can start to take scuba courses and get certified. All adults are welcome, although the multi day courses do require that you can swim and you’re comfortable in the water. Some centres may ask for a medical certificate. Finally, many centres are working to make scuba as accessible a sport as possible, and some activities are now open to people with disabilities with the assistance of trained diving buddies.

We can’t think of any reason not to get a wetsuit, goggles and oxygen tank on and swim like a fish. Make your adventure happen here with us!