Contrary to popular belief, scuba diving isn’t an activity only reserved for those who can afford to visit exotic islands and tropical coral reefs, neither is it an activity solely for marine biologists and those looking to examine aquatic life in the name of science! In fact, you can participate in scuba diving right here in the UK at a number of locations, both off the coast and inland, for an affordable rate. Aside from the health benefits, scuba diving is also an excellent activity for those who want to explore rich underwater landscapes and familiarise themselves with new kinds of marine life, hence why many of the wreck sites off the coast of the UK and Ireland are such popular diving spots. Here are some of the reasons you may wish to take up scuba diving:

Improve your breathing capacity

If you’re already a competitive participant in another sport which requires good cardio and breathing, scuba diving is a great way to keep yourself conditioned. Scuba diving is an excellent workout for your lungs, and once you get a few dives under your belt you may well notice a significant improvement in your ability to breathe properly while doing other sports or strenuous activities.

Relax and explore nature

For the same reason that many people go kayaking, scuba diving allows you to get closer to nature, which can provide some well deserved peace and tranquility away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Simply being weightless in water is known to be relaxing, hence why there is such a booming hydrotherapy and health spa industry, so when you couple this benefit with the experience of being intimate with nature, scuba diving can be a truly miraculous stress-curer. Particularly if you’re fortunate to go scuba diving in an exotic location, or even to a lesser extent in the UK, interacting with unfamiliar sea creatures and discovering the plant life which exists underwater can be a thrilling experience for those with an adventurous spirit.

Strength and stamina

Because water naturally exerts a level of resistance against your muscles, you’re constantly having to expend more energy to move around, which helps to build muscular endurance. If you also factor in the amount of strength required to carry your diving gear and other equipment deep underwater, it’s easy to see how diving is a thorough workout for the entire body. An activity such as scuba diving which promotes good cardiovascular health also results in a reduced chance of heart attacks and circulatory problems.

Meet like-minded individuals

If you’re looking to find a group of individuals with a passion for adventure and physical fitness, then look no further. One of the great things about the exploratory side of scuba diving is that you get to experience it with a group. When you’re exploring an unusual site such as a wreck, one of the best things about the experience is that you will have a shared memory that you and your diving buddies will take away with you forever!

Resources

If you’re interested in taking up scuba diving, check out www.ukdiving.co.uk for a comprehensive list of scuba sites and www.bsac.com for information about training and certifications.

It’s easy to see why scuba diving is rapidly growing in popularity, with many famous celebrities advocating their love for underwater exploration, including: Patrick Stewart, Tom Cruise, Sandra Bullock and more!