The story of life on Earth began in the oceans, and it’s easy to see why. Although we’re used to living on the land, we have to admit that there’s a lot to be said for the world beneath the waves. Plenty of food, shelter from the elements, and vast spaces to explore are all set in a three dimensional environment, and hordes of fish, crustaceans and marine mammals make their homes here. The hidden treasures of the underwater world have led all kinds of people to try and return to this primal space and, with the help of technology, the sport of scuba diving has been developed. Most of it takes place in the ocean, but inland watercourses are also fascinating places to discover, which means even landlocked regions of the UK, like Staffordshire in the West Midlands, are good places to start your journey.

As well as outdoor dive sites, this county boasts a healthy scuba diving community. They meet and train at indoor and outdoor locations, organise introductions for diving novices and courses for diving proficiency, and take trips to dive sites outside the county. Many of these are in England or around the UK, but diving holidays to exotic parts of the world are also organised. If you want to see some of the most breathtaking sights in the world’s oceans, it’s worth the money getting into diving first in a convenient place like this, before using your skills and knowledge to get the most out of an excursion of a lifetime.

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

• Indoor pools: The most convenient places to do your baptism into this sport if you’re a newcomer, are indoor swimming pools. These have a lot of advantages. In the first place, the water is heated and clear, so there are no surprises that can distract you from the techniques and technology of scuba. In addition, they’re open at all times of the day and year, meaning that you can go diving when you want. Finally, they often have facilities like classrooms, changing rooms, cafes, and other amenities that make diving for pleasure or learning about the sport much easier. There are pools that are suitable for scuba in most of the large places in the county, including Stoke on Trent, the county’s only city, and Stafford, but also some smaller places like Burntwood, near Litchfield.

• Dosthill Quarry: The best place for open water diving is a lake right in the centre of the county, near the town of Tamworth. We can’t say that it’s a natural dive site, because it’s actually a disused quarry, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not wild and exciting. The Dosthill Quarry is surrounded by trees and grassy banks, making it a pleasant place to relax at the water’s edge, but the really interesting things are below the surface. The granite quarry is fed by spring water, so the visibility is good as you penetrate into the water which reaches depths of 26 metres. Various interesting installations have been sunk into this environment for you to explore. There are hulls of boats, hydrofoils and even an aeroplane jet engine lurking in the depths! Numerous fish species make their home here, including roach, carp, Pike, and large sturgeon.

• Nearby locations: It’s not difficult to get to dive locations in salt water from Staffordshire. Clubs run trips to places like Cornwall and Devon for Atlatic and English Channel immersions, the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea and the Orkney Islands in the chilly waters of the North Sea. These might last a day, a weekend, or a full week depending on the distance to travel and the opportunities for diving.

• Further afield: But if you’ve got your sites set on something more exotic, you can find the information and materials to go to some really spectacular places. From Corfu to the Cayman Islands, Portugal to the Philippines, and everywhere in between, the world is your oyster!

What are the options for organising an experience?

- A lot of people have misconceptions about taking up this sport. They think that you have to start early, train hard, and spend a lot of money - but that simply isn’t true. There are numerous clubs in Staffordshire that are ready and willing to welcome you, whoever you are, to have a go at diving and, if you like it, help you become a competent diver. To dip your toe into the scuba world, you need to take a try dive or discover scuba session. Taking place in the controlled conditions of a pool, these last about an hour with some time on the poolside to learn about the equipment. About half of the session will take place in the water, with the equipment on, so that you can get the feel of moving around in the weightlessness of the water. There are also trial experiences that are a full day and include more time in the water and more information.

- We think that you’ll be hooked after your first immersion, and you’ll want to continue learning. The most popular way to do that is with a PADI Open Water Course, which takes a couple of days to complete and includes pool dives and, of course, open water dives. PADI training isn’t the only option here, there are also courses offered by BSAC and SSI. Once you’ve completed one of these training programmes, you’re ready to five at depths of up to 20 metres, anywhere in the world.

Who can get involved in this activity?

Let’s make one thing clear - you’re not too unfit, too inexperienced or too old to become a scuba diver! Believe us when we say that you’ll find the perfect option for starting your scuba story here, regardless of those things. There are options for anyone from 12 to 112 to take a try dive in an indoor pool, and training can start at any age from 16 years old and up. The kit can feel quite heavy, but once you’re in the water the weight is less noticeable. Even people with disabilities can learn to dive here.

But the opportunities for developing as a scuba diver in this region aren’t just for beginners. If you’re an experienced diver but you want to improve your technique or learn new skills, you’re in the right place. You can find courses here that will help you become a much more proficient diver in the area of your choice, from night diving to technical equipment usage to instructor training!

We’re holding our breath waiting for you to make a reservation with us!