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Hand Deeps

Hand Deeps. Just the name sounds a bit gnarly, doesn't it? And it can be, but that’s precisely why we love it. This isn't your placid tropical reef; it’s a proper Channel dive, a collection of rocky pinnacles and shelves near Eddystone, battered by Atlantic swell and tidal currents. We’ve had dives here where the visibility drops to a murky pea soup, and others where it’s opened up to a glorious 15 metres, the sunlight cutting through the water, illuminating everything. What makes it special? The sheer, rugged wildness of it all. You’ll find walls plastered with jewel anemones, vivid oranges and pinks, and crags where wrasse dart in and out. Keep an eye on the sand patches between the rocks for cuckoo skates and sand stars. And if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of dolphins passing through – we’ve seen common dolphins here more than once, a real treat. The currents can be formidable, so this really is one for the experienced diver, someone comfortable with a bit of a drift and good boat handling. Our top tip? Pick your slack water window carefully, and go with a skipper who knows the site inside out. If you nail it, Hand Deeps delivers some of the most exhilarating temperate diving you’ll find.