Teign Diving Centre

Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom

The team at Teign Diving Centre are exactly the kind of people you want running your local dive shop. There’s a genuine buzz when you walk in, less like a retail outlet and more like a clubhouse. We love that they’ve built such a strong community around the centre, and it shows in the vibe on their boats. They’re a PADI 5 Star IDC centre, which means serious instruction, right up to instructor level. If you’re looking to make diving a career or just want top-tier training, this is a solid choice. What they really excel at, though, is local knowledge. They dive the wrecks and reefs of Lyme Bay and beyond constantly. Our favourite trips are out to the Napoleonic-era wrecks; you can practically feel the history in the gloom. The visibility can be a bit of a lottery, as it often is in UK waters, but on a good day, when the sun breaks through, the colours of the jewel anemones on the wrecks are incredible. They run a tight ship on their dive boat, *Viking*, which feels sturdy and warm even when the English Channel gets a bit lumpy. Pack extra layers, even in summer, because that sea breeze bites. They know these waters like the back of their hand, so you’re always heading to the best spot given the conditions.