Day 3: Wraysbury Dive Centre

4th November

The drive from our campsite at Henfold Lakes in Surrey to Wraysbury Dive Centre in Berkshire took around 40 minutes along the M25. As we approached the dive centre, the roads became narrower, but after the experiences of Sunday, today felt far more manageable with no heart-stopping moments this time!

On arrival, we were warmly greeted by Yvonne, who showed us where to park. We were chuffed to discover that we’d been given the best spot in the car park, slightly tucked away, with plenty of space around us and no risk of blocking anyone in. This turned out to be a real blessing, as it gave us time and space to set up and test out our new kit kindly supplied by Mares, Apeks and Aqualung without any pressure or onlookers. From the moment we arrived, the team made us feel completely welcome. Their friendliness, calm professionalism, and clear passion for UK diving really stood out.

They took the time to show us around the site with two guided dives, and they shared what makes Wraysbury so special. It was easy to see why it’s such a favourite spot for divers.

We were joined by our friend Josh. Wraysbury is his local site, so he knows it well. During the day, he shared his own diving story, including his thoughts on how diving has supported his mental health, a truly insightful and inspiring conversation, which you can read more about on Josh's Story

For us, used to diving in the sea, the freshwater setting at Wraysbury was something new. We had to adjust our weights, but once underwater, a whole new world opened up. The lake was teeming with life, fish darting through the weeds, freshwater mussels clinging to the objects, and even the odd curious crayfish. Beyond the natural beauty, the real fun came from the many surprises hidden beneath the surface: it’s like an underwater treasure hunt. Scattered throughout the lake are an array of fascinating features, from boats and cars to half a taxi used in Die Hard and even the fuselage of a Boeing 737. Exploring its cockpit and cavernous cargo hold was an incredible experience, and easily the highlight of the day. Wraysbury also features an underwater cave system, with entrances at different depths that make for a great buoyancy challenge. We couldn’t help but smile at the old road signs marking the route, one even read “Footpath Closed”, which made us laugh. Despite some rain in previous days that would normally make the water a little murky, we had gorgeous sunshine creating magical beams of light that danced through the water and bounced off the rocks and signs below. Those glowing trails of light felt utterly enchanting.

One of the most memorable conversations of the day was with the owner of the dive centre. He told us how, years ago, UK diving was often seen only as a means to an end, a place to learn before heading abroad to dive in tropical waters. He is certain that this mindset is changing, and Wraysbury is part of that shift. He spoke passionately about encouraging divers to appreciate the incredible experiences available right here at home and to help build a stronger, more connected UK diving community. Listening to him, we couldn’t help but agree, both our sea and freshwater dives have shown us that British diving is full of life, colour, and adventure.

After the dives, we packed away our kit and headed to the on-site café, which came highly recommended by Josh especially the burgers. He wasn’t wrong! The food was fantastic, with perfect chips, delicious burgers, great coffee, and an indulgent hot chocolate that really hit the spot.

Wraysbury left us both smiling. It’s the perfect place for new divers to learn, with excellent facilities and a genuinely supportive team. Their warmth made us feel instantly at home which meant a lot, being so many miles away from our usual diving spots. Everything about the centre is set up to make diving accessible, enjoyable, inclusive and welcoming. For anyone thinking about starting their diving journey, or simply exploring the beauty of UK freshwater diving, Wraysbury is an absolute gem. We need to say an enormous thank you to the Wraysbury team for their generosity and especially to Yvonne who gave up so much of her time to ensure that we could see all the highlights of the lake. This was an incredible start to the trip.

Heading off now after a great day of diving. Next stop on The Great Scuba Drive –

Vobster Quay, Somerset.