where to dive...

Our customised Google Map highlights some of the best diving sites for anyone based in Norwich or its surrounding area. Click on the pins for a description of the dive site and driving directions. A full analysis of each site is shown below the map.

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Whitlingham Lake

Review: Often overlooked by many divers, Whitlingham can offer divers somewhere really close to home to do some diving. Visibility has been known to be good, but is often fairly murky, and the muddy bottom ensures viz is reduced to nothing if you accidentally land in it. There's not much to see anyway, so it could be a good place to try some 'flying by instruments' navigation dives. It's not got the facilities, attractions or excitement of specialist dive sites, but it is only 2 miles from the centre of Norwich, if you just want to get wet!

Weather at Whitlingham

Max Depth: 10m
Entrance: Check with Activity Centre for full details
Distance from Norwich: about 2 miles (7 mins)
SatNav Address: Whitlingham Outdoor Education Centre,Whitlingham Country Park,Trowse,Norwich,NR14 8TR
Dive Shop: none
Specialised for Divers: no specialist facilities. Need to get permission to dive from Activity Centre.
Website: www.nccoutdooreducation.co.uk
Underwater Map: none available
Photos: from flickr

Gildenburg Water

Review: The closest specialised inland diving centre to Norwich, Gildenburg has everything you need for a good weekend diving. Sunken discoverables include a double-decker bus which is lodged at a disorientating angle, so beware. The visibility can be quite poor, but when its good there is plenty of wildlife to be seen. On exiting, the wildlife is in plentiful supply on the waters edge - be careful where you lay your kit otherwise it'll end up smelling of something the ducks did. Food is traditional 'burger van' style, eating in or out.  

Weather at Gildenburg

Max Depth: 22m
Entrance: £10 (£8 for Frequent User / Club Member)
Distance from Norwich: about 73 miles (1hr 42 mins)
SatNav Address: Gildenburgh Water,Eastrea Road,Whittlesey,Peterborough,PE7 2AR
Dive Shop: onsite shop
Specialised for Divers: Guide Ropes, Sunken Wrecks, Training Platforms, Air Filling.
Website: www.gildenburgh.com
Underwater Map: available here
Photos: from flickr

Stoney Cove

Review: As the name suggests, the bottom of Stoney Cove is rocky, with many bricks. This leads to usually pretty good visibility. It can get very busy at times, and waterside parking is recommended unless you want a long walk with your kit. There's a natural shelf at 6 meters which makes it ideal for training. Food is available to divers via a hatch for outside eating (cobs, chips etc) and there's a pub/restaurant for once you've got changed.

Weather at Stoney

Max Depth: 36m
Entrance: £15 (£10 for members)
Distance from Norwich: about 138 miles (2hrs 42 mins)
SatNav Address: Stoney Cove,Sapcote Road,Stoney Stanton,Leicestershire,LE9 4DW
Dive Shop: onsite shop
Specialised for Divers: Sunken Wrecks, Training Platforms, Air Filling.
Website: www.stoneycove.com
Underwater Map: available here
Photos: from flickr

Capernwray

Review: Some of the more unusual sunken attractions at Capernwray include some fairground horses and an Oil Rig. There are also some trout and sturgeon to be seen, amongst others. Visibility is supposed to be better than some other dive sites. Capernwray is a very busy dive location though and you may experience some delay getting in and out of the water. Note: no diver under the age of 12 allowed in the water at Capernwray.

Weather at Capernwray

Max Depth: 20m
Entrance: £12 - membership required
Distance from Norwich: about 290 miles (5 hrs)
SatNav Address: Jackdaw Quarry, Capernwray Road,Over Kellet,Carnforth,Lancashire,LA6 1AD
Dive Shop: on site (not online)
Specialised for Divers: Sunken Wrecks, Training Platforms, even a Gnome Garden! Air Filling.
Website: www.dive-site.co.uk
Underwater Map: available here
Photos: from flickr

Vobster Quay

Review: There's not quite so many attractions to see here as other places, but there are several hydro-boxes to be found, as well as some good 'wall dives'. There are also some good tunnels, wide enough for two divers to swim through side by side. Food is provided by a catering trailer

Weather at Vobster

Max Depth: 36m
Entrance: £15 (£10 for members), reduced rate weekday afternoons
Distance from Norwich: about 237 miles (4hr 26 mins)
SatNav Address: Vobster Diving Ltd,Upper Vobster,Mells, Somerset,BA3 5SA
Dive Shop: onsite shop
Specialised for Divers: Sunken Wrecks, Training Platforms, Air Filling
Website: www.vobsterquay.co.uk
Underwater Map: available here (pdf)
Photos: from flickr

The National Diving & Activity Centre (NDAC)

Review: There's plenty of metal waiting to be found here, helicopters, land rovers, an APCs and others. There are several training platforms at different depths, and, of course, a gnome garden! There's a 42m line, trapezes at 50 and 75m, and a free-diving platform (the deepest of its kind in the UK!).

Weather at NDAC

Max Depth: 80m
Entrance: £15 (£10 for members)
Distance from Norwich: about 248 miles (4hr 17 mins)
SatNav Address: National Diving & Activity Centre,Tidenham,Chepstow,Gloucestershire,NP16 7LH
Dive Shop: onsite shop
Specialised for Divers: Training platforms at varying levels, lots of attractions, swim throughs and trapezes at 50 & 75 meters. Air Filling.
Website: www.ndac.co.uk
Underwater Map: available here (pdf)
Photos: from flickr