Top Places to Learn how to Scuba Dive in Europe

Learning how to dive in Europe is the preference for most Europeans. Catching a short flight to a holiday destination where they can learn to dive and is relatively inexpensive is ideal. Let’s take a look at some of the best places in Europe to get certified. 

The Canary Islands, Spain 

The Canaries are famous for offering warm weather, crystal blue water all within reach of Europe. The visibility is around 30m with water ranging from 19° C to 24° C degrees all year-round. You may get the chance to spot cuttlefish, angel sharks or rays during your course. Confined water dives are usually done in a pool and then the open water dives are usually done from the shore but can also involve a boat. 

Greece 

A country that is spread over 240 inhabited islands and a huge coastline, there’s all types of diving in Greece including wall, wreck, cavern and reef. Some of the best islands in Greece to learn how to dive include: Naxos, Mykonos, Crete, Santorini, Corfu, Zante and Chios. With a wide range of diving available, Greece is a good option for those wanting to learn. 

Malta 

Gozo Island, one of the 21 Maltese Islands, is known as one of the best places to dive in the Mediterranean. One of the main advantages of Malta, is that most of the diving is done from the shore, allowing for a protected and shallow environment to learn new skills which is ideal for first-time divers. Malta usually has high visibility up to 40m, which is great for learning. 

United Kingdom 

The UK wouldn’t be most people’s first thoughts when learning how to dive. When doing an Open Water Course in the UK, the dives are usually split between Lundy Island and an inland dive site. At Lundy Island, there’s a kelp forest and you’ll have the opportunity to swim with resident Atlantic grey seals. 

For those wanting to dive to see wrecks, there’s no better place in the world to learn how to dive than Scape Scuba in Orkney, Scotland. In 1919, during WW1, the German Navy sank 52 ships which makes it one of the best places in the world to wreck dive. Learning to dive in the UK offers beginners many options.