Coleraine is the largest of three towns, along with Portrush and Portstewart, which make up “The Triangle” visitor area of Northern Ireland’s north coast. Many people come here to relax on the beaches, walk on the cliff tops, surf the waves, and even study at the university of Ulster, but those in the know go somewhere unexpected - under the water. This region’s position on the Atlantic Ocean gives it a wealth of subaquatic scenery and sites that are a joy to explore. Of course, if you want to do that, you need the help of self contained underwater breathing apparatus - better known as scuba gear.

Scuba diving is the best way to discover the world beneath the waves and, considering that over two thirds of the world’s surface is covered by water, there’s a lot to see. The Atlantic coast around Coleraine is a particularly good place to go diving, where you can observe marine life, explore unique natural formations, and sink down into the depths to swim among the shattered remains of shipwrecks. But using scuba equipment to navigate this sunken realm is a skill that has to be learnt. Luckily, there are numerous scuba schools in the area just waiting to give you a taste of this sport and help you start your subaquatic journey in a great location, and at a great price.

Where are the best places to go diving in Coleraine?

• Indoor: The first immersion for anyone new to this world is most likely to take place in a pool. This is because you don’t want to worry about tides, currents, obstacles and visibility when you’re trying to get your head around using the equipment properly. Pools have the additional advantage of being heated, meaning that you can take up diving at any time of year. There’s a pool right in the centre of Coleraine which is fit for purpose.

• Shore dives: There are a number of places along the coast here where you can dive without the need of a boat. The River Bann flows through Coleraine and meets the ocean at the artificial Bar mouth, where divers can find a whole slew of small wrecks from wooden sailing ships to modern boats. There are also a couple of natural diving pools along the shore line, such as Portnahapple, a 7 metre deep cove with forests of kelp, and the Blue Pool, a local favourite for its marine life including cuttlefish, octopus and lobsters. But we can’t talk about the Atlantic coast of Northern Ireland without mentioning the Giant’s Causeway, just a short drive, where hexagonal pillars of granite create a unique amphibious landscape.

• Offshore dives: Some of the most spectacular sites in the area of Coleraine require a boat to reach. The rocky Skerries Islands, a mile of the coast of Portrush, are surrounded by natural beauty that you can only discover by scuba diving. There are caverns with walls covered in coral, boulder cliff faces that are 30 metres high and curious sponges known as Dead Man’s Fingers, alongside a multitude of fish species. Round the Skerries there are submerged ridges and reefs of varying depths that are rewarding sites for an immersion.

• Wrecks: Something about this part of the Northern Irish coast has led to the unfortunate sinking of a large number of boats of all shapes and sizes. Luckily, they make wonderful places for diving. Highlights include The Towy, which sank in 1930 but remains in a good state of preservation, The Sard, which hasn’t fared so well but is home to hordes of edible crabs, The Argo Delos, an enormous oil tanker which stands 28 metres high on the seabed and is home to large pollock fish, and a German U-boat that lies in deep water 7 miles of the coast of Portstewart.

Options, courses, minimun age and duration

- The opportunities available to you in Coleraine’s aquatic world depend on your ability and experience as a scuba diver. If you’re new to the sport, you need to take an introductory session, usually known as a Try Dive, or a Discover Scuba session. Although the most common location for one of these baptisms is an indoor pool, it is possible to arrange one in a sheltered area of the sea near Portstewart. The experience lasts around 2 hours, by the end of which you’ll have learnt about the equipment, the techniques, and put it all to the test under the water.

- What follows is a scuba diving course which will give you the skills that you need in order to dive safely and effectively in a variety of conditions. For this reason, a training programme will include multiple dives to different depths in different locations. In a place like Coleraine, you’re in for a treat on every immersion you complete. The most popular course is the PADI Open Water, which takes several days - consecutive or spread over a longer period of time - to complete, and is an option for teens and adults from 14 years old and up.

While a basic training course can give the skills, and the certificate, that you need in order to go diving all around the world, there’s plenty more training that experienced divers can complete in Coleraine. From night diving to rescue techniques, specialist equipment training and courses to become a dive instructor yourself, there’s something for every diver here.

- A bonus option that’s on offer in this area but not many other places in the UK is freediving. This is diving without the scuba, and involves using specialised swimming and breathing techniques to explore the underwater world with as little equipment, and as much freedom, as possible. Anyone from the age of 12 - with or without previous experience - can try a half or full day freediving experience or a snorkelling trip, and all those who get hooked can continue developing their skills with the specialist freediving school.

- Finally, we have to mention the scuba community in Colerain, Portrush and Portstewart. As well as well stocked scuba shops with entry level and high end equipment, there are clubs enthusiasts here who organise group dives in the area and further afield. You’ll never be without a buddy here!

So what are you waiting for? Book with us and get ready for the dive of a lifetime!