Going Diving

Weekends away

Throughout the summer diving season, roughly between April and October, we arrange a number of diving trips on the UK coast.

Our favourite destinations are the south Dorset and Devon coasts as they are relatively close to Birmingham and offer a variety of quality wreck and scenic dive sites. But we are also keen to explore other areas: in recent years we also dived Scapa Flow, Anglesey, the Farne Islands and Falmouth.

Birmingham may well lie a long way inland, but being based in the centre of the country does mean that we are pretty much equidistant from many different coastal areas!

Our boat

We have own own 5-metre rigid inflatable boat (RIB), purchased two years ago. It is equiped with all appropriate diving and safety equipment, including GPS navigation system, echo-sounder and VHF marine radio. When not in use by the Branch, it can be used privately by suitably qualified and experienced members.

Whilst we like to make good use of our boat, we also charter commercial hardboats to take us to the more distant dive sites.

Something for everyone

Most trips are open to all members, on a first-come-first-served basis when space is limited. However in order to cater for all levels of diving experience within the branch, places on selected trips each year are restricted to divers holding a specified minimum level of diving qualification and these offer the chance to do more adventurous dives. On the other hand, we run at least two weekends each year which are geared specifically towards offering trainees their first sea diving experience. These are held at venues offering easy and interesting shore or RIB based diving.

We try to arrange a range of accommodation options to suit almost all pockets. Static caravans have recently proved popular as they are usually very economic, and are flexible for either groups of people sharing or for families. Those who prefer even lower costs or who enjoy 'roughing it' can usually camp nearby, and, at the opposite end of the spectrum, there are always hotels and guest houses available.

August Bank Holiday week

The August Bank Holiday week is the time for our annual Branch holiday. Last year we returned to our old favourite of South Devon and dived the wrecks of Bigbury Bay and The Bolt. On this week we usually aim to offer a variety of RIB-based diving suitable for everyone from trainees upwards. Members are welcome to join us for just a few days or the entire week, and several members have found that this trip also doubles a traditional family seaside holiday.