TAKE THE PLUNGE

With tropical waters largely off limits, frustrated enthusiasts can seek solace in some world-class locations close to home, says Simon Rogerson

Snorkelling, scuba diving, wild swimming – they turn a pedestrian beach holiday into an adventure. Anyone who has swum alongside a shimmering school of fish or been blessed by a dolphin swim-by will know what it is to experience the magic of the sea. All of which is academic because, for now, most dreams of a blue water paradise are on hold.

There is another way to scratch that itch, however – and that is to try diving in Britain. Scuba diving from the shore has recently been approved in England and Northern Ireland, and diving from a club or charter boat in England has also been greenlighted by Defra. Up to six members of different households can dive from a boat, as long as they can maintain social distancing. Once underwater, you can shake hands, hug and be as distance-compromised as you like.

In the past week, diving has also opened up in Scotland and Wales, and it is legal to travel into both countries now that their five-mile travel restrictions have been lifted. Diving, in short, is coming home.

Let’s say you’re a holiday diver, but might just be persuaded to dip a tentative fin into British seas. The crucial message is not to go it alone – you need a proper support network to help you address the safety concerns involved in UK diving, and you may need additional training for some of the dives that follow. Consider joining your local branch of BSAC, the British Sub-Aqua Club (bsac.com) or find a friendly dive centre and ask for help.

Britain’s temperate water is supercharged with oxygen and rich in plankton. That’s why the water is green – it’s a sign not of degradation, but of richness. After a while, you learn to move slowly through this environment, using a torch to pick out detail on our surprisingly colourful reefs. Yes, it’s colder than you might be used to and visibility is lower, but this is for connoisseurs – the more you dive in green water, the more you appreciate its subtle beauty.

I genuinely believe some of Britain’s dive sites compare favourably with the best of the tropics. Don’t agree? Then squeeze into a 7mm wetsuit – you may require some lubrication – and join me on a tour of domestic alternatives for the frustrated holiday diver.