Usually reserved for the most hardened of technical divers, solo diving is often portrayed as an ultimate extreme pursuit.

With numerous certifying agencies and site operators either actively discouraging or outright disallowing solo diving, were going to take a look at some of the classic myths and misconceptions surrounding going solo, and look to establish whether or not when done responsibly, it is the deep, reflective and rewarding experience some claim it to be.

What is Solo Diving?

By definition, solo diving is the practice of scuba diving without a buddy, where the diver plans and executes their own dive assuming no immediate assistance from another person whilst underwater.

From 1940 to 1950

When recreational scuba first became possible following Jacques - Yves Cousteau and Émile Gagnan's revolutionary invention of the Aqua-Lung in 1943, many early dives were conducted alone or with minimal structure, with the buddy system (as we understand it today) not yet being standardised. As a result, early dive pioneers using newly developed demand regulators often:

Dove individually for exploration or work
Had limited training or formal procedures
Relied heavily on personal judgment and self-sufficiency

From 1950 to 1970

As recreational diving became more accessible and ultimately boomed during the 1950’s, both training agencies and military organisations recognised that shared responsibility significantly reduced risk. Between 1950 and 1970, buddy systems rightfully became pivotal to mainstream diver education, especially as diving continued to be opened up to a broader public. During this period:

Solo diving became discouraged
Diving alone was framed as unsafe or reckless
Formal training focused almost exclusively on buddy-based procedures

Despite this, many experienced divers, especially photographers, spear-fishers, and explorers, continued to dive solo out of either necessity or simple practicality. In this sense and given what we know about the origins of scuba, solo diving isn't actually anything new, and vastly predates all known buddy systems.

From 1990 to 2000

During the 1990’s, Solo diving began to re-emerge as a more formalised and structured practice. Rather than being framed as rule-breaking, it was refocussed on being ‘self-reliant’ with strict and extensively defined safeguards. This expectedly led to the development of dedicated training programs by agencies such as:

The introduction of these programs finally emphasised and acknowledged a reality long already understood by experienced divers, that a diver should always be capable of self-rescue, whether diving alone or with others.

Why Dive Solo in the UK?

In the UK, unlike other parts of the world, solo diving takes on a unique character shaped by our colder waters, ever shifting visibility, and some of the most underrated marine ecosystems in Europe.

The UK is a farcry from tropical drift diving with endless sunlight. It’s quieter, darker, and more deliberate, and for many divers, this is exactly the appeal.

Without a doubt, UK waters demand respect. Strong tides, limited visibility, and low temperatures naturally encourage careful planning. Solo diving here isn’t about isolation for ones own sake; it’s about self-reliance, awareness, and moving at your own pace. Diving alone allows you to:

Slow down and observe marine life without distraction
Practice precise buoyancy and navigation skills
Choose your depth, duration, and objectives freely
Experience a rare sense of calm beneath often-busy coastlines

In kelp forests, wrecks, or sheltered sea lochs, solo diving can feel almost meditative, with nothing but the sound of your own breathing and the soft movement of water around you.

The Realities of UK Solo Diving

Solo diving in the UK is not forgiving of complacency. Conditions here can change quickly, and help may be far away. That’s why the most experienced solo divers approach every UK dive with a conservative mindset.

Key considerations include:

Cold water: Drysuits are the norm year-round in much of the UK
Visibility: Often limited, sometimes excellent, but rarely predictable
Surface conditions: Wind, swell, and tides matter as much as what’s below
Logistics: Shore exits, surface cover, and emergency access must be planned

Solo divers often carry redundant gas supplies, multiple cutting tools, backup navigation, and surface signaling devices. The emphasis here is on preparation rather than bravado.

Why Skill & Mindset Matter More Than Certification

While formal solo or self-reliant diving courses can be valuable, mindset is just as important. Solo diving in UK waters rewards divers who are:

Calm under pressure
Comfortable aborting a dive early
Methodical in equipment checks
Honest about their limits

Many UK divers build solo experience gradually, starting with shallow, familiar sites and excellent conditions before progressing to deeper or more complex dives.

UK Locations That Suit Solo Diving

Not every dive site is appropriate for solo diving, but some environments lend themselves well to it:

Sheltered sea lochs in Scotland offer minimal current and rich marine life
Cornwall’s kelp forests provide shallow, immersive dives with natural navigation
Quiet shore dives in Wales or the North East can be ideal in settled weather

Wreck diving solo is more controversial and should only be attempted with significant experience, redundancy, and within conservative depth limits.

The Mental Side of Diving Alone

Diving solo strips away social reassurance. There’s no buddy to check your air, to confirm your heading, or to share a moment of surprise. This can feel daunting at first, but it’s also what makes the experience all the more powerful.

Many divers have reported that solo diving has remarkably sharpened their situational awareness, making them more attuned to subtle changes in current, buoyancy, and breathing. Majestically amounting to an uninterrupted conversation between them and their aquatic environment.

Is Solo Diving Right for You?

Solo diving isn’t about proving anything. It’s about responsibility, patience, and respect for the water.

If you enjoy planning as much as executing, value self-sufficiency, and are comfortable making conservative decisions, it can be one of the most fulfilling ways in which you will ever dive.

The UK’s cold, green waters may not shout for attention but when you dive them alone, they speak quietly and clearly.

Steve Earnshaw off the coast of Swanage, Dorset UK

The Shift From Dependency to Accountability

One of the most valuable elements of solo diving isn’t a divers physical ability, but their psychological discipline unwavering resilience.

Solo diving removes the safety net of shared responsibility, with every decision from descent to exit, resting solely with you. Learning to solo dive safely reinforces:

Early abort decisions
Comfort with calling dives for minor issues
Emotional control under stress

Many divers report that even if they never plan to dive solo regularly, learning to do so dramatically improves their confidence and discipline in all contexts of diving.

Solo Vs Self Reliant Diving

In short, Self-Reliant Diver is a specialty course offered by PADI that enhances the basic level training for certified divers to plan and execute dives assuming no immediate external assistance.

Despite the name, self reliant diver is often somewhat misunderstood. It does not encourage abandoning the buddy system or ignoring dive planning norms, but instead, acknowledges the uncomfortable truth that in an emergency, you may be the first and only solution. The Self-Reliant Diver course emphasises:

Redundant life-support systems
Conservative dive and gas planning
Situational awareness and navigation
Calm, methodical problem management

As stated earlier, modern recreational diving is built entirely around the buddy system, but experienced divers know that the reality of issues or emergencies experienced underwater often do not replicate the calm and controlled approach to problem solving seen or demonstrated during initial confined water training. Visibility drops, currents pull buddies apart, and unfortunately, despite the numerous tiers of certification, skill levels don’t always match.

The PADI Self-Reliant Diver course was created entirely to address that gap, focusing not on diving alone for one’s own sake, but also to enchance personal responsibility and independent problem solving in challenging circumstances.

At its core, the PADI Self-Reliant Diver course is centrally about one thing: ensuring that you can safely look after yourself underwater, whether you have a buddy beside you or not.

Disallowed, or Simply Discouraged?

Whilst we know a number of dive agencies presently offer good quality courses for those aspiring to become efficient solo divers, not every dive site will permit this practice, no matter how well trained you are.

Agencies which presently offer either solo or self-reliant diving style courses in the UK

Agencies who presently do not offer either solo or self-reliant diving style courses in the UK

Where Can You Solo Dive?

Capernwray

Solo diving IS permitted if the diver is certified and trained to do so, and all site rules are adhered to.

Stoney Cove

Solo diving is NOT permitted as stated in their website terms and conditions of use.

Eight Acre Lake

Solo diving is NOT permitted at Eight Acre, and is clearly stated on the home page of their website.

Eccleston Delph

Solo diving IS permitted, but divers must be registered before hand, be certified to dive independently and follow site rules at all times.

Dosthill Quarry

Dosthill DO permit solo diving, providing divers are certified and adhere to the site rules and safety regulations.

Our Thoughts…

In order to understand the concept of solo diving, one needs to understand a personal desire or necessity to solo dive to begin with.

Many of us at SEPE Diving are avid photographers who have, on many occasions spent an entire dive hovering above exotic or interesting marine life in order to get the perfect snap. By removing distractions such as buddy responsibility or interruption, a photographer, by example, has more time to focus on their subject or task at hand, thus making the most of their interaction.

Where technical level training is not deemed essential in order to dive independently, the ability to think and respond to problems in an instant most certainly is, with time almost always being an critical factor when things start to go unexpectedly wrong at depth.

Certifying as a PADI Tec 50 diver in 2018, IDC Staff Instructor Steve Earnshaw has solo dived all over the UK, from the rusty wrecks of Scapa Flow in Scotland to the Octopus rich waters of Plymouth in England. Where this blog up to now has covered everything from mindset to certification, we consider one of the most important factors in safe solo diving to be ‘comfortability’.

Our recommendation to anyone wanting to begin solo diving would be at the very least, to attain a certification level of Tec 45 or similar. Additionally, we would also suggest reaching a significant amount of diving experience of no less than around 250 dives.

Self-Reliant Diver or Solo type courses should in our view only be taken because a diver simply wishes to enhance their own personal knowledge and skillset, not just because they are looking to dive alone. By reaching this stage, a diver will more than likely have experienced most if not all common problems underwater, or at least have simulated such through an established and well tested training program. Good quality training undoubtedly develops confidence, and it is a combination of these 2 variables where comfortability rests as an important factor. You should only dive solo because you choose to, and not because their isnt any other option, such as no buddy.

From basic equipment malfunctions, to unexpected rescues, a diver never knows what they may encounter from one dive to the next, but through careful planning and meticulous checks, they can reduce the likelihood of having to abort a dive as a result of unforeseen or otherwise avoidable issues. Expectedly, with no buddy to observe and oversee, solo diving takes both attention to detail and problem solving to the next level.

If a diver can both confidently and comfortably identify and operate every element of their own scuba equipment by themselves, have achieved a respected level of certification, and are experienced enough to recognise everything from potential danger to avoidable problems, then there should be no reason as to why they cannot safely dive alone.

For the most part, solo diving is exactly the same as regular buddy diving, which is learning not to push boundaries or take dangerous and unnecessary risks, but regardless of expert level training, countless redundancies and all the dive experience in the world, there will never be a better failsafe than than watchful eye of teammate or buddy.

Whatever your choice or style of diving thank you for taking the time to be a part of our 2025, stay safe and we hope that you have some fantastic underwater adventures in 2026!

Understanding Solo Diving

Usually reserved for the most hardened of technical divers, solo diving is often portrayed as an ultimate extreme pursuit.

What is Solo Diving?

By definition, solo diving is the practice of scuba diving without a buddy, where the diver plans and executes their own dive assuming no immediate assistance from another person whilst underwater.

From 1940 to 1950

Dove individually for exploration or work

Had limited training or formal procedures

Relied heavily on personal judgment and self-sufficiency

From 1950 to 1970

Solo diving became discouraged

Diving alone was framed as unsafe or reckless

Formal training focused almost exclusively on buddy-based procedures

From 1990 to 2000

The introduction of these programs finally emphasised and acknowledged a reality long already understood by experienced divers, that a diver should always be capable of self-rescue, whether diving alone or with others.

Why Dive Solo in the UK?

In the UK, unlike other parts of the world, solo diving takes on a unique character shaped by our colder waters, ever shifting visibility, and some of the most underrated marine ecosystems in Europe.

The UK is a farcry from tropical drift diving with endless sunlight. It’s quieter, darker, and more deliberate, and for many divers, this is exactly the appeal.

Without a doubt, UK waters demand respect. Strong tides, limited visibility, and low temperatures naturally encourage careful planning. Solo diving here isn’t about isolation for ones own sake; it’s about self-reliance, awareness, and moving at your own pace. Diving alone allows you to:

Slow down and observe marine life without distraction

Practice precise buoyancy and navigation skills

Choose your depth, duration, and objectives freely

Experience a rare sense of calm beneath often-busy coastlines

In kelp forests, wrecks, or sheltered sea lochs, solo diving can feel almost meditative, with nothing but the sound of your own breathing and the soft movement of water around you.

The Realities of UK Solo Diving

Solo diving in the UK is not forgiving of complacency. Conditions here can change quickly, and help may be far away. That’s why the most experienced solo divers approach every UK dive with a conservative mindset.

Key considerations include:

Cold water: Drysuits are the norm year-round in much of the UK

Visibility: Often limited, sometimes excellent, but rarely predictable

Surface conditions: Wind, swell, and tides matter as much as what’s below

Logistics: Shore exits, surface cover, and emergency access must be planned

Solo divers often carry redundant gas supplies, multiple cutting tools, backup navigation, and surface signaling devices. The emphasis here is on preparation rather than bravado.

Why Skill & Mindset Matter More Than Certification

While formal solo or self-reliant diving courses can be valuable, mindset is just as important. Solo diving in UK waters rewards divers who are:

Calm under pressure

Comfortable aborting a dive early

Methodical in equipment checks

Honest about their limits

Many UK divers build solo experience gradually, starting with shallow, familiar sites and excellent conditions before progressing to deeper or more complex dives.

UK Locations That Suit Solo Diving

Not every dive site is appropriate for solo diving, but some environments lend themselves well to it:

Sheltered sea lochs in Scotland offer minimal current and rich marine life

Cornwall’s kelp forests provide shallow, immersive dives with natural navigation

Quiet shore dives in Wales or the North East can be ideal in settled weather

Wreck diving solo is more controversial and should only be attempted with significant experience, redundancy, and within conservative depth limits.

The Mental Side of Diving Alone

Diving solo strips away social reassurance. There’s no buddy to check your air, to confirm your heading, or to share a moment of surprise. This can feel daunting at first, but it’s also what makes the experience all the more powerful.

Many divers have reported that solo diving has remarkably sharpened their situational awareness, making them more attuned to subtle changes in current, buoyancy, and breathing. Majestically amounting to an uninterrupted conversation between them and their aquatic environment.

Is Solo Diving Right for You?

Solo diving isn’t about proving anything. It’s about responsibility, patience, and respect for the water.

If you enjoy planning as much as executing, value self-sufficiency, and are comfortable making conservative decisions, it can be one of the most fulfilling ways in which you will ever dive.

The UK’s cold, green waters may not shout for attention but when you dive them alone, they speak quietly and clearly.

The Shift From Dependency to Accountability

One of the most valuable elements of solo diving isn’t a divers physical ability, but their psychological discipline unwavering resilience.

Solo diving removes the safety net of shared responsibility, with every decision from descent to exit, resting solely with you. Learning to solo dive safely reinforces:

Early abort decisions

Comfort with calling dives for minor issues

Emotional control under stress

Many divers report that even if they never plan to dive solo regularly, learning to do so dramatically improves their confidence and discipline in all contexts of diving.

Solo Vs Self Reliant Diving

In short, Self-Reliant Diver is a specialty course offered by PADI that enhances the basic level training for certified divers to plan and execute dives assuming no immediate external assistance.

Redundant life-support systems

Conservative dive and gas planning

Situational awareness and navigation

Calm, methodical problem management

The PADI Self-Reliant Diver course was created entirely to address that gap, focusing not on diving alone for one’s own sake, but also to enchance personal responsibility and independent problem solving in challenging circumstances.

At its core, the PADI Self-Reliant Diver course is centrally about one thing: ensuring that you can safely look after yourself underwater, whether you have a buddy beside you or not.

Disallowed, or Simply Discouraged?

Whilst we know a number of dive agencies presently offer good quality courses for those aspiring to become efficient solo divers, not every dive site will permit this practice, no matter how well trained you are.

Agencies which presently offer either solo or self-reliant diving style courses in the UK

Agencies who presently do not offer either solo or self-reliant diving style courses in the UK

BSAC do not endorse solo diving

Where Can You Solo Dive?

Eccleston Delph

Our Thoughts…

In order to understand the concept of solo diving, one needs to understand a personal desire or necessity to solo dive to begin with.

Where technical level training is not deemed essential in order to dive independently, the ability to think and respond to problems in an instant most certainly is, with time almost always being an critical factor when things start to go unexpectedly wrong at depth.

Our recommendation to anyone wanting to begin solo diving would be at the very least, to attain a certification level of Tec 45 or similar. Additionally, we would also suggest reaching a significant amount of diving experience of no less than around 250 dives.

Whatever your choice or style of diving thank you for taking the time to be a part of our 2025, stay safe and we hope that you have some fantastic underwater adventures in 2026!

Steve

Sharks Of The British Isles