If you are planning an activity weekend in Wales, you may be considering the usual pursuits of walking, mountain biking and climbing - but have you thought about scuba diving?
Exploring beneath the waves is one of the most exciting and interesting pastimes out there, so if you are something of a water baby, you may want to start planning a trip to Wales and finding a school to learn with.
Who knows, if you really enjoy it you may discover that an increasing number of your UK holidays are focused on diving!
Before you rush off and book a course though, it is important to think about where you are going and when.
The waters around the UK can get quite cold during the winter, so it is advisable to carry out your training during the summer and autumn months. September is usually one of the warmest times of year in the sea, so a break just after the school holidays could be a good plan.
You may also want to enquire whether the centre you are doing your course with offers drysuits for hire. Wearing this kind of protective clothing, rather than a wetsuit, really can make a big difference to your enjoyment of the dives.
So, the next step to take is to decide where to go! With such long stretches of coastline, there are countless dive sites in Wales, but here is a guide to just a few of the top ones.
Starting in the north of the country, you could head to Anglesey. This small island is a great place for a weekend of scuba diving, with plenty of sites easily accessible by boat, as well as locations such as Trearddur Bay, which is ideal for a shore dive.
There are numerous wrecks around this part of the coast, many of which are in shallow enough water that novices can dive them without too much difficulty.
Meanwhile, Puffin Island might be a location on your list of places to visit, as the friendly seals that inhabit the area will often come and play with divers once they have got used to your presence underwater.
Heading slightly further south, you will reach the Llyn Peninsula where there are plenty more excellent diving opportunities.
While there are not many wrecks along this part of the coastline, there are lots of delightful scenic dives - and if you plan your visit for the end of the summer, so around August or September, you could catch sight of an elusive visitor.
Leatherback turtles migrate to the waters along the west coast of the UK - and particularly around Wales - to feed on a bloom of Rhysotoma jellyfish each year.
These giant marine reptiles are a spectacular sight and if you are lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one underwater, it is likely to be a memory you will cherish forever.
Continuing down the Welsh coastline, you come to Pembrokeshire, another popular spot among scuba divers.
In fact, this location could prove ideal for a multi activity weekend break, as the national park boasts lots of stunning vistas and secluded coves.
If you are hoping to get in some beach walks in the UK, this could be a good location to choose!
But you might find that the underwater spectacles here capture all your attention. If you dive around the Milford Sound region, you will find numerous wrecks just waiting to be discovered.
Meanwhile, the Skomer Marine Nature Reserve is a must for any wildlife lovers, as this conservation area is brimming with life, from crabs and lobsters to wrasse, blennies and nudibranchs.
Finally, you can go a little further south to the Gower Peninsula and the area around Swansea, where there are many good places for shore diving.
Beaches such as Limeslade Bay and Martin's Haven are relatively easy to access and you will be astounded by the wealth of creatures you find around the shoreline.
The latter is a particularly good location for spotting spider crabs and lobsters, while Limeslade Bay is home to many curious blennies that inhabit the cracks in the rocks.
So, what are you waiting for? Dive into a break in Wales and discover a whole new world!
Exploring beneath the waves is one of the most exciting and interesting pastimes out there, so if you are something of a water baby, you may want to start planning a trip to Wales and finding a school to learn with.
Who knows, if you really enjoy it you may discover that an increasing number of your UK holidays are focused on diving!
Before you rush off and book a course though, it is important to think about where you are going and when.
The waters around the UK can get quite cold during the winter, so it is advisable to carry out your training during the summer and autumn months. September is usually one of the warmest times of year in the sea, so a break just after the school holidays could be a good plan.
You may also want to enquire whether the centre you are doing your course with offers drysuits for hire. Wearing this kind of protective clothing, rather than a wetsuit, really can make a big difference to your enjoyment of the dives.
So, the next step to take is to decide where to go! With such long stretches of coastline, there are countless dive sites in Wales, but here is a guide to just a few of the top ones.
Starting in the north of the country, you could head to Anglesey. This small island is a great place for a weekend of scuba diving, with plenty of sites easily accessible by boat, as well as locations such as Trearddur Bay, which is ideal for a shore dive.
There are numerous wrecks around this part of the coast, many of which are in shallow enough water that novices can dive them without too much difficulty.
Meanwhile, Puffin Island might be a location on your list of places to visit, as the friendly seals that inhabit the area will often come and play with divers once they have got used to your presence underwater.
Heading slightly further south, you will reach the Llyn Peninsula where there are plenty more excellent diving opportunities.
While there are not many wrecks along this part of the coastline, there are lots of delightful scenic dives - and if you plan your visit for the end of the summer, so around August or September, you could catch sight of an elusive visitor.
Leatherback turtles migrate to the waters along the west coast of the UK - and particularly around Wales - to feed on a bloom of Rhysotoma jellyfish each year.
These giant marine reptiles are a spectacular sight and if you are lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one underwater, it is likely to be a memory you will cherish forever.
Continuing down the Welsh coastline, you come to Pembrokeshire, another popular spot among scuba divers.
In fact, this location could prove ideal for a multi activity weekend break, as the national park boasts lots of stunning vistas and secluded coves.
If you are hoping to get in some beach walks in the UK, this could be a good location to choose!
But you might find that the underwater spectacles here capture all your attention. If you dive around the Milford Sound region, you will find numerous wrecks just waiting to be discovered.
Meanwhile, the Skomer Marine Nature Reserve is a must for any wildlife lovers, as this conservation area is brimming with life, from crabs and lobsters to wrasse, blennies and nudibranchs.
Finally, you can go a little further south to the Gower Peninsula and the area around Swansea, where there are many good places for shore diving.
Beaches such as Limeslade Bay and Martin's Haven are relatively easy to access and you will be astounded by the wealth of creatures you find around the shoreline.
The latter is a particularly good location for spotting spider crabs and lobsters, while Limeslade Bay is home to many curious blennies that inhabit the cracks in the rocks.
So, what are you waiting for? Dive into a break in Wales and discover a whole new world!
If you are looking for exciting UK holidays then come to Wales, where you can try a host of activities, including scuba diving. Heading underwater as part of an activity weekend is lots of fun - and if you want ideas for a multi activity weekend check out Visit Wales to find out about a range of other pursuits, including where to find some of the top beach walks in the UK.
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