Diving in Europe: the Top 10 Dive Sites

Europe boasts some world class dive sites, with great visibility and masses of underwater life.

Readers of the SCUBA Travel diving guide have voted these the ten best dive sites in Europe.

1. The Zenobia, Cyprus
The pristine wreck of a huge ferry. Lying on its port side, the wreck starts at about 15 m and descends to 42 m. One of the best shipwreck dives in the world in recreational depths. 20 m plus visibility and some great swim-throughs. Needs several dives to see it all.

2. Blue Hole, Gozo
A beautiful sharp drop off into the blue hole with what seems like limitless visibility and literally feels like you are on the very edge of the world. A most extraordinary dive.

3. Cirkewwa, Malta
Features the wreck of the Rozi MV as well as stunning underwater topography. Visibility is very good and there is sea life in abundance:  barracuda, morays, octopus, cuttlefish and even dolphins.

4. Booroo, Isle of Man
The Burroo, with its extremely diverse and plentiful marine life offers a truly magnificent dive. In fact, in areas exposed to the fast flowing current, it is something of a challenge to find a single square centimetre of bare bedrock, so abundant is the life here.

5. Blockship Tabarka, Scapa Flow, Scotland
This shallow 18 m dive is a real beauty. One of the block ships scuttled to prevent submarine attack during WW2. Covered in life,  it is worth the trip and the one of surprises of Scapa.

6. Diamond Rocks, Kilkee, Ireland
Claimed to by on a par with the famous Yongala. It is a cold water dive off Ireland's west coast. The bay is fairly sheltered and is teaming with life. The terrain is full of rocks and gullies and the water is really clear.

7. Eddystone Reef, England
12 miles off Plymouth, England. The reef is from 8 to 60 m. Encrusted with jewel anemones and with the remains of ancient wrecks, including a large 17th century anchor.

8. Secca della Columbara, Italy
One of the best dives in the Mediterranean. It features a steep, beautifully-decorated, wall; large shoal of barracuda; grouper; giant amberjacks and a wreck. The wreck is a 74 m ship which was carrying slabs of marble. It sank in 2005 and rests at 20 m in two parts.

9. Fanore, Ireland
Shore dive in crystal clear Atlantic water with abundant fish.

10. Chios island, Greece
Small undersea caves and paths between impressive rocks, colourful reefs and vertical walls.

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