While sailors and thrill seekers cut their way across the surface of these azure Cornish waters, there is a whole other world not far away where people enjoy an extra dimension of what this maritime county provides - the amazing landscape beneath the waves.

Cornwall has some of the finest dive sites in the world, indeed these often crystal-clear waters provide a Mecca for underwater sightseers and serious Scuba divers alike, attracting both from far and wide.

The diverse nature of diving on offer in Cornwall is such that there is literally something for everyone. No matter what your abilities or experience level. There are easy-to-access shore dives which are very rewarding and there are also dive locations only accessible by boat.

Here are some Diving Schools/Centres (commercial and leisure) in Cornwall...

- Atlantic Diver                         - Windwave Workboats
- Falmouth Divers                      - Kennack Diving
- Seawide Services                    - Porthkerris Divers

Diving Equipment Hire...

- Ambient Pressure Diving
- Bay Marine

Diving Services

Unlike destinations on the Red Sea, Cornwall is easily accessible by British divers for a quick weekend break. With a wealth of quality accommodation, great restaurants and quality entertainment all close to the water, the county makes the perfect location for an excellent weekend's diving.

For those yet to master the skills of operating your own Scuba gear, there are ample organisations offering training to help you get the confidence and qualifications you need to get out and about under the water.

Most Cornish ports have boats set up to take divers to the best sites. Indeed Cornwall Marine Network has members offering great dive charter opportunities to help you experience the wealth of underwater sights and sensations that this amazing county has to offer.

Great Dive Spots

Image courtesy of Sea Fans Scuba School

Among the great places to dive are the Eddystone Reef, located 12 miles from Looe. Here a series of reefs with an amazing array of underwater wildlife are marked by a lighthouse and offer superb diving.

There is a dramatic mix of rare plants, rocky cliffs and hidden coves. You will find extraordinary anemone gardens, shoaling mackerel, the odd pollack, bass and ling - all enjoying the amazingly clear, nutrient-rich water sent up by the Gulf Stream.

Wreck Diving

Image courtesy of Sea Fans Scuba School 

There is a rich history of shipwrecks forming superb quality dive sites. Whitsand Bay has the famous wreck of the James Eagan Layne - sunk by torpedo shortly before the end of the Second World War. The stricken ship now represents one of Cornwall's most popular dive sites - partly because, as well as being a novice dive, it retains interest more advanced divers and can also be used for higher level diver training.

Any diver heading to Cornwall will not want to miss the amazing underwater delights of the Manacles and the submerged cliffs of The Lizard peninsula. The wrecks of the recently submerged Scylla, the Volnay and the Mohegan are also highlights.

Divers are likely to see some of the vast array of marine life that lives here - including dolphins, turtles, seals, blue sharks, sunfish, basking sharks and brightly coloured banks of jewel anemone and cuttlefish.