Something of a well-kept secret among British divers, the Isles of Scilly are a cluster of tiny island that sit at the tail end of the Gulf Stream. Rich marine life, lively reefs, and an abundance of wrecks make this archipelago a diver’s paradise.

Sparsely Populated

The Isles of Scilly (or the Scillies, as they are universally known) consist of 300 granite islands 28 miles (45 km) off the southwestern tip of England. Only six of the islands are inhabited, and even these could hardly be described as crowded. The islands are low-lying and very beautiful, with white sandy beaches fringing green islands.

The islands’ position in one of the worlds busiest shipping channels means that wrecks are abundant. The most recent wreck here was the cargo ship Cita, which foundered on March 26, 1997, leading to a bonanza of free goods for enterprising locals. This vessel is now an excellent dive, lying in 115 ft (35 m) of clear water. By contrast, the wreck of the Eagle, a British warship that sank in 1707, offers a glimpse into naval history, with cannons still visible on the seabed.

Other Attractions

As well as numerous wrecks to explore, divers also have access to splendidly busy reefs, and may even encounter larger species such as seals, as well as seasonal visitors, including basking sharks.

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