Britain’s inland dive sites have a new addition, following the opening of a centre in East Yorkshire. It features platforms, wrecks and swim-throughs – and will have a limit on visitors to prevent crowding.

Eight Acre Lake Dive Centre is situated at North Cave, a short distance from Junction 38 of the M62, to the west of Hull. The centre actually has two adjacent lakes, of eight acres and five acres. Formerly excavated for sand and gravel, they were filled with water about three years ago.

The larger lake has a maximum depth of 14.5m and has a number of wrecks, including a Chinese junk replica sunk in the deepest part. Divers have the choice of a walk-in ramp or stride entry into 4m, plus a platform in 1m to aid dekitting. The lake contains trout and koi carp.

The smaller lake is 11m deep and is reserved solely for dive rescue training, with a 5.2m RIB permanently moored for use by visitors. When divers are not there, the lake has windsurfers, sailing dinghies and canoes for hire.

Emergency provision includes a 5.3m rescue RIB on the large lake, and staff trained to administer first aid including CPR and oxygen. There is clear access for an ambulance and a helicopter landing area.

“We aim to offer a safe, friendly environment for recreational diving and dive training,” proprietor Dave Dalby told Divernet. “We offer night dives, and schools and clubs will appreciate the exclusive use of our dedicated rescue training lake.”

There are heated changing rooms and hot or cold drinks and snacks. Parking is close to the water and equipment for hire includes cylinders, weightbelts and torches.

Numbers of diving visitors are being limited to about thirty per day. “We are offering a completely different sort of dive experience, in that we want to limit diving so it’s more enjoyable than at overcrowded sites,” said Dave.

The centre is open every day and attendance is by telephone booking only, at £10 per head. Gas barbeques are provided, and the centre can be hired in its entirety by diving parties. Call 07891 281214.

Related links
Eight Acre Lake Dive Centre website
Above and Below


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