Mummy, who are they?

Scuba Divers really do come in all shapes and sizes, so much so that to happen upon a scuba club or group at a post-dive pub meet (they do a lot of this!) is to witness an eclectic group often cutting across age bands and certainly of mixed sex. The question, ‘what do you do?’ (which in many other circumstances in these people’s lives might be answered, “I’m in IT”, or “I’m an electrician”, or “I’m a teacher.”) is, in this situation, answered quite simply, “I dive.” And when this (usually fairly lively) group of people get together, little else will be talked about.

What was the day’s diving like? Who saw what? Was the descent on the wreck in the optimum place? Which piece of kit performed well? Which gadget needs replacing? And there will be a fair bit of jovial ribbing besides.

Because Scuba Divers, in the main, really are a very sociable bunch; they like to get together to plan before a dive or a trip, to enjoy the anticipation of their shared experiences and then to share and reflect afterwards on their joint exploration and discovery (tall stories abound!)

Perhaps it is this shared nature of diving, the not insignificant degree of trust that a diver must place in their buddy, their boat handler, their instructor, in order for diving to be safe and fun, which makes the bonds within many scuba clubs and groups so tangible. Maybe it is the learning that this group of people have done in one another’s company and the support offered in adverse situations when perseverance is required? (See camping near our top UK learn-to-dive hotspots if you are thinking of giving this Scuba thing a go.) Or is it the fact that, through Scuba, this group of people share experiences of a hidden world that the vast majority will never see, hear or feel?

Whatever the reason, scuba divers tend to stick together, which is why the sociable and communal nature of camping and caravanning are so ideal for a UK scuba diving holiday. Which, in turn, is why Campsite Chatter has created its new Scuba Camping specialism: Camping near UK Scuba Diving Through these pages scuba divers, be they in buddy pairs or large cheerful (I didn’t say rowdy, now, did I?) groups, can easily find suitable campsites or touring grounds close-by some of the UKs top scuba diving locations.

Darren England, avid diver, regular UK camper and a Campsite Chatter member since 2012, explains, "People tend to go away in groups diving and when they do they will be split up in B&Bs or in hotels. Go camping or caravanning and you can all get on the same site, sit around the fire/ BBQ and spend the evening together after a dive having a crack. My wife, Marie, and I sometimes go away in the van and take our dive kit just in case. We have found some great dive sites along the coast that we would not have thought of originally."

Among our hotspots is Anglesey: enjoy drift diving off Rhoscolyn, dive the wreck of the Missouri or take boat excursions out to dives off the Llyn Peninsula or Bardsey Island. All of this diving potential in an area of outstanding natural beauty and within a fin tip’s length of the fabled welcome of Welsh pubs and eateries, is what makes diving holidays in this area so fantastic. Anglesey campsites near scuba diving

The huge variety of diving around Weymouth and Portland meant that we had to identify it as a great scuba diving camping hotspot. Campsites near scuba diving in Weymouth The heritage of this stretch of coast, both as an area of geographical interest and as a region of huge historical significance (there are hundreds of fascinating, diveable wrecks here), makes for fabulous diving holidays both beneath the surface and topside. Contact our friends at the Old Harbour Dive Centre (www.oldharbourdivecentre.co.uk tel: 01305 760888) for professional certified training courses, diving boat excursions, equipment hire, air/nitrox refills and advice on local dive sites.

And scuba diving doesn't just take place 'daan saaf' (that's down south), you know. Get a dry suit on and get yourself up to the beautiful Northumberland Coast and dive on the Farne Islands (actually, you might want to travel out of your suit). Click here to find campsites near scuba diving in marine rich waters that will blow your mind. Make sure you take your camera so that you can snap that selfie with one of the local seals, who don't mind being in an underwater shot or two themselves, we've heard! Campsites near scuba diving, Farne Islands

Darren England rates the Farne Islands as one his favourite UK dive locations, "Get a hard boat out and, whilst being briefed by the captain, watch the seals looking at you from the rocks. Drop down to ten metres and sit on the floor and wait. It won't be long before you see the flashes of these creatures whizzing by. The braver they get the closer they get until they start to test your equipment with their teeth (not hard!); fins first then your gloves and other bits of equipment. We've been a number of times and have not had anything damaged - yet, touch wood! Swim off and the shy ones will pull at your fins. You look back and they will have gone, only to sneak up and do it again and again." Sounds amazing, Darren!

So, what are you waiting for? Divers down!

Love diving in a UK location that isn’t yet featured in our Scuba Camping Specialism? Email and tell us about it: hello@campsitechatter and we’ll create a page especially for that dive spot and mention you on it!