Scuba diving hotspots in Europe

Scuba divers travel throughout the world looking for the most exotic marine areas in which to dive. Though many British divers travel thousands of miles to find the perfect spot, there are some great locations within Europe, allowing holidaymakers to indulge in underwater life without the extensive travel.

One of Europe's best places to dive is Turkey. Fethiye, a large city that is close to Dalaman, is the perfect access point for the top diving locations of Aladdin's Cavern, Three Tunnels and Dalyan Reef. Warm waters, blue sky and a multitude of marine life make these locations the ideal spot.

Another often undiscovered location is Malta. Here the town of Gozo is a great base for keen divers, and enthusiasts will find many unique diving opportunities. These include a chamber that is lit from the surface and surrounded by rock faces on three sides. A crashed WWII bomber is also available as a wreck dive. One of the Mediterranean's best diving spots is Santorini. Situated off the coast of Turkey, the Mansell Reef has a large 200m drop-off in its centre and a volcanic caldera to explore.

Divers don't have to travel the world to find top spots, and Europe has a great range of underwater retreats to indulge in. For those wanting to utilise cheap flights within the continent, there will be more time and money for diving.