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UK Inland Diving
Dive Site: Vobster Quay
Location: Upper Vobster, Mells, Somerset BA3 5SA
Description: Inland quarry
Depth: 37 metres max (121 feet)
Visibility: 5 - 10 metres (15 - 30 feet)
Rating: ****
The staff here are fantastic, they are really friendly and helpful. The facilities are also very good; they include showers, fills, food, and a shop. There is not that much to see other than a few hydroboxes and the tunnel that leads to the crushing works, which makes a very dark swim through, not to be attempted by those who are not confident. There are some good 'wall' dives where you can study the interesting rock features and gaze up at the tree roots above and the leaves settling through the water. There are also some training platforms. The quarry opens at 8.30am on weekends and 9am on weekdays. Entrance costs £12 for non-members (as of July 2004). For full details go to their website.
Location map
Reader Reviews:
Rating: *****
Lots to see, plane cut into 3 parts at different depths (12-22m), full boat at 21m amongst other things. The tunnel is good and best done from the top to the bottom (14-22m). Always a cold dive due to cold stream feed, use 7mm semi or drysuit. Well buoyed site.
Anthony Ritchie, PADI Open Water
A great site, the hospitality is really good and all the staff seem keen to help. I have done a lot of my training there and still enjoy going back again and again. Easy access with parking next to the water and changing rooms with hot showers!
Tim Long, PADI Advanced Open Water
Top site, lots of fun things to swim around and through. Whilst the water's quite cold you can always warm up with one of their giant burgers during your surface interval!
Steve M, PADI Rescue Diver
Great site in fantastic surroundings and with lots to see. I found the crushing works fascinating. As the other comments say, this inland site can be a bit on the chilly side but with a top catering facility and hot showers and clean changing facilities it makes it you soon forget the cold. I used a full 5mm Wetsuit but would also pop a shorty on top next time.
If you are within an hour of the site it's also worth taking out the membership just to be able to book your car into the bottom car park.
Gary Berntsen, PADI Open Water Diver
I cut my teeth on this inland site and I love the place. It is fantastic for equipment checking, training, refreshing and just for the fun of diving. It can get busy at the weekends so get there early but diving during the week is recommended.
Chris Paul, PADI Open Water Diver
An often overlooked feature of dive sites is the food, Vobster really wins here with a unique creation called the Deco Burger. 4oz burger, 2 cheese, jumbo sausage, cheese, 2 bacon, cheese, egg all wrapped in a bun - make sure to drop 2 kilos before the second dive. The diving isn't bad either.
Diving Foodies
Great Inland dive centre with lots to offer all level of skilled diver. Staff here are great and always willing to offer advice on where to visit within the lake. Air craft and crusher works makes a great dive for OW / AOW divers. For images of vobster visit www.richards-world.co.uk
Richard Welch, PADI Rescue Diver
Spent the first May bank holiday at Vobster having a good look around the crushing works and wheelhouse / caravan. Viz was a good 10m with water temp around 14°C. Used the new changing rooms for the first time (great job Vobster, well done). Great inland dive centre with friendly staff and great place to get wet. To see images from my dive visit www.richards-world.co.uk
Richard Welch, PADI Rescue Diver | 29/05/09
Have dived at the weekend and during the week, weekdays are great the staff are very helpful and the bacon butties are top drawer. My daughter has just qualified so we plan to make a few more trips to give her more confidance. Varied underwater wrecks to keep you intersted but havent seen a fish yet.
Chris Hall, PADI Advanced Diver | 02/06/09
I've done a few dives here whilst finishing qualifying for my Sports Diver many years ago. It's my most favorite open water site. Visibility very good, and the underwater attractions very good - it was a nice easy place to learn pilotage. I especially loved the crushing station, the sensation of swimming over a real building underwater was surreal. It's a shame I live so far away from the site now otherwise I'd be a regular here.
Graeme, BSAC Sports Diver | 08/11/09
I have been diving this site since I did my Open Water course dives there. The site is excellent: plenty of underwater features which have not been mentioned. Recently new changing rooms and underwater features have been added.
Geoff (Hairy Scary) PADI AOW, Deep & Nitrox | 11/03/2010
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