The Great Scuba Drive – Reflections on the Journey

30 November

What began as a practical plan to travel from Cornwall to Oban for our HSE Scuba qualification quickly became so much more than a road trip. Over four weeks, The Great Scuba Drive carried us through England, Wales, and Scotland, diving in quarries, coves, beaches, and lochs, 28 days of salt water, freshwater, and every kind of weather the British Isles could throw at us.

Our Highs

The People.

From the first wave goodbye in Cornwall to our arrival in Oban, the kindness and enthusiasm of the diving community shaped every part of the journey. Yvonne at Wraysbury, Midge and Vicky from Scuba Blue, Clare and Leanne at Vivian Quarry, Jason from Wreckspeditions, Andy at Dosthill, Mark, Luke and Dylan at Capernwray and Petra at St Abbs Marine Station and so many others; every meeting reminded us how welcoming and generous divers can be. Their knowledge, humour, and sheer passion for what they do turned each stop into something memorable.

The Places.

Each site had its own personality:

• Wraysbury’s playful mix of fish, cars, and a Boeing 737 fuselage.

• Vobster Quay’s crystal-clear depths and laughter echoing through the quarry walls.

• Stoney Cove’s history and scale.

• Vivian Quarry’s haunting beauty. Diving through history framed in slate and autumn leaves.

• The Menai Straits, with their strong currents and colourful gardens of dahlia anemones.

• The ruggedly beautiful lakes and lochs of the Lake District and Scotland, from Wastwater’s icy clarity to the glittering mineral shimmer of Drishaig Reef.

• And finally, Loch Creran, where the living Serpula vermicularis reefs felt like an underwater cathedral, a privilege to witness.

The Wildlife.

From inquisitive seals and soaring catsharks to clusters of gobies and armies of hermit crabs, the trip revealed how alive UK waters really are. The sheer variety including pipefish, sturgeon, lobsters, anemones, starfish, gobies and crabs reinforced what we’d hoped to show: British diving is vibrant, colourful, rich, and full of life, even in winter.

The Moments.

There were so many small, perfect moments:

• Laughing through regulators at Vobster with Vicky’s “explosive” hand signals.

• The coliseum of goby faces at Queenie Reef.

• Hot chocolate with marshmallows, cream and sprinkles served on a RHIB in the rain at Dunoon.

• A golden sunset over Loch Fyne turning the water to liquid gold.

• And the quiet satisfaction after each dive, peeling off drysuits and knowing we’d learned something new and experienced something special.

Our Lows

Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing.

There were road closures, freezing mornings, drysuits that froze solid overnight, and the constant dance with storms and tides. There were cold showers, dodgy WIFI and no phone signal at some campsites. There were visibility challenges, bitter winds, and torrential rain.

We had to call dives, like the first attempt at the Menai Bridge, when safety dictated caution.

Yet, those difficult moments became lessons in flexibility and patience, reminders that good judgement is an essential tool for a diver.

What We Learned

• Safety first, always. Calling a dive isn’t failure; it’s professionalism and respect for the sea.

• Flexibility is key. Weather, tides, and logistics change quickly, and success comes from adapting rather than resisting.

• Community matters. The UK diving world is small but mighty, supportive, welcoming, and passionate.

• Beauty is everywhere. You don’t need tropical reefs to be moved by what’s beneath the surface; sometimes the most extraordinary sights are hiding much closer to home.

Our Thanks

Since the beginning, when The Great Scuba Drive was only a fanciful idea, we have been supported whole heartly by the entire team at Portkerris Divers in Cornwall - Mike, Jo, Tiona, David and everyone. Without their expertise, encouragement, enthusiasm, contacts and practical support the trip would not have happened. We are also enormously indebted to our sponsors Head Watersports, Mares, SSI, Aqualung and Apeks who generously provided us with not only the kit for our trip but also contacts and advice. This made an enormous difference to us, and we are beyond grateful. To be diving with such incredible and reliable kit took away an enormous worry for us and was a privilege. Thanks also to Scuba Verse who have covered The Great Scuba Drive every day since we left Cornwall. This led to some great connections for us on our journey and helped to support our mission of promoting UK diving. Finally, the most massive thank you to the Dive Team at Falmouth University where Sophie is a third-year student. They not only lent the equipment that enabled Sophie to record the journey photographically but have been enormous supporters in the background, generously sharing their extensive knowledge and expertise. Jane, 'H', Elle and Gina, you are awesome!

The Next Chapter

Arriving in Oban felt both like a finish line and the start of the next chapter. Over nearly a month, we had driven more than a thousand miles, completed dozens of dives, and shared countless mugs of hot chocolate, each one tasting a little sweeter than the last.

And while this leg of The Great Scuba Drive ends here, our story underwater is far from over. We are going to spend three weeks doing our HSE Scuba qualification and then heading back to Cornwall in time for Christmas.

Over our time on the road, The Great Scuba Drive became a celebration of the UK’s diving heritage, its breathtaking landscapes, and its extraordinary people. From Cornwall’s rocky coves to Scotland’s frozen lochs, this journey reminded us that adventure isn’t measured by distance, but by depth of experience, connection, and appreciation for the underwater world.