Exeter is ideal for diving Lyme Bay, Bigbury Bay or Plymouth Sound. The wrecks here vary in depth from 14m to 50m+. Near Lyme Regis, the Baygitano can be surrounded by so many fish that it’s difficult to see the wreck. The Maine and James Egan Layne are amongst the best wreck dives in the UK, and in 2004 HMS Scylla was sunk as a artificial reef. Here’s a map showing some local wrecks and sites.

Shore diving
Babbacombe – 6 to 10m depth, and a great starting point for any diver, though normally dived at high tide. Very safe and easy access from the car park. Cafe during the summer, but no toilets. Tons of life tucked away in among the rocks – a torch is really useful here.
Brixham Breakwater – 6 to 10m depth, and can be dived at any state of the tide, but not in an easterly wind.
Meadfoot Beach –
Budleigh Salterton
Beacon Cove
Exmouth Docks – 22m depth max, but only for experienced divers. A fabulous dive, but very tidal
Boat diving
Galecia
Bretagne
Boma
Persier
Maine
James Egan Layne
Scyilla
Inland diving
Vobster Quay – 6 to 35 metres – diving is not reliant on weather, so good for training.