Hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers descend on the Cornish coast every year to enjoy the sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs and historical landmarks of this southwesterly tip of the country. Little do they realise that they’re missing out on some of the most spectacular sights - those that lie beneath the waves. The underwater world is reserved for scuba divers, and many of them come to Cornwall to explore underwater reefs, discover shipwrecks and share the water with marine wildlife.

We’re creatures of the land, so staying below the surface of the water for extended periods of time doesn’t come naturally to us. This is where scuba comes in - the letters stand for Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus, which is the equipment that makes underwater exploration possible. Some other acronyms that are associated with the sport are PADI and BSAC, which are accredited organisations on the training side of things. Both of these organisations are present in Cornwall, making this a fantastic place both to learn how to dive, and to enjoy it as an experienced diver.

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

• Padstow: The north coast faces the rough Celtic Sea, which connects the county to Wales and the Republic of Island. For a small sea, it can be quite rough, but the area around Padstow is sheltered by the shape of the coastline. Padstow sits on the estuary of the River Camel, which meets the sea between headlands that protect it from wind and waves. Also in the estuary is the town of Rock, which has some good dive spots, and around the coast are Port Isaac and Port Gaverne.

• Newquay: This town is full of people trying to ride on top of the waves but it’s also a good place to get underneath them. In the bay itself you can dive down to Dane Rock, where you’ll see crabs, jellyfish and many species of fish, while Fistral Point, just outside town, has good diving spots with interesting rock formations. Out to sea, the wreck of the SS Syracusa steamship has lurked 36 metres below the surface since it sank in 1897. Finally, Carter’s Rock, off Holywell Bay, is a great area for observing subaquatic wildlife.

• Penzance: A stone's throw from Land’s End, Penzance is the perfect spot to start an expedition around the tip of Cornwall. This rocky promontory has claimed its share of shipwrecks, some of which can be found around the towns of St Ives and Hayle. You can also go looking for sharks in the area, which are sometimes so easy to spot that you don’t need to get on all of your scuba gear - a snorkel is sufficient.

• The Lizard Peninsula: This is the most southerly point of mainland Britain, and protects a large area of water on its eastern side from Atlantic swells. Humans aren’t the only ones who appreciate these calm waters, and if you go diving off Porthkerris point, you’re likely to see seals and dolphins, or even whales and basking sharks if you’re lucky. A short distance from Kennack Sands, a huge luxury liner - The Mohegan - lies on the seabed. No one knows for sure what caused it to sink in this place over 100 years ago, perhaps you can uncover the mystery?

• Falmouth: The port town of Falmouth is another favoured destination for divers. You can dive from the shore at Silver Steps in the shadow of Pendennis Castle where the natural scenery is punctuated by wrecks of German U-Boats from the First World War. Fresh water diving is also on offer here too at Little Trolvis, a flooded quarry with submerged mining installations to explore.

• Pentewan: This charming old fishing village is on the so-called Cornish Riviera. There are opportunities for shore diving at the beach or nearby headlands, while further along the coast at Fowey and Talland bay there are colourful rocks, seaweed and a couple of wrecks that make for a great scuba trip.

What scuba courses are available?

Scuba diving is one of those sports that can seem difficult to get into, but the reality couldn’t be more different. In Cornwall there are numerous dive schools and scuba clubs that are run by friendly people with a passion for this sport and introducing newcomers to the sport. If you want to find out what it’s all about, take a Trial Dive, or Discover Scuba session. This will take place in the controlled conditions of an indoor pool, so that you can focus on getting to know the equipment and learning how to use it properly. Sessions can last from 1 hour in the pool, to 5 hours, including time in the pool then an immersion in the ocean.

An introductory session is enough to get most people hooked on scuba diving, and the next step to becoming a competent diver who can complete unsupervised dives all over the world is a course. The most popular, and widely recognised, is the PADI Open Water Scuba Diving Certification. This is a multi day course, involving numerous dives to different depths and in different locations. With the quality and variety of locations in this area, it’s a fantastic place to train.

If your basic training days are long behind you, you’ll be able to take advantage of the spectacular underwater sights of Cornwall. To reach some of the best reefs and deepest wrecks, you’ll need to charter a boat which is possible in most towns. You can also continue your development as a diver with any one of a huge number of specialist training courses, covering everything from night diving to rescue operations.

Requirements to do this activity

You don’t need to turn up in Cornwall with a carboot load of equipment and a fistfull of certifications, anyone can get involved. For the inexperienced, there are trial sessions and training courses where all the gear is supplied. Even children can have a go. The normal minimum age is 10 years old, but some schools will allow 8 year olds to dive in indoor pools, depending on their swimming ability. Taking a course like the PADI Open Water programme is possible for keen divers over 14 years of age.

Leave the land behind and discover a whole new world!