We're at our new location!

We've now opened a spacious new dive centre in Dorset. Based on the outskirts of Portland Marina (the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy) and easily accessible off the main causeway into Portland, this modern 2,500 ft² two-storey building boasts an impressive and large product showroom and our dive shop is scheduled to get high performance compressors and banks offering air, nitrox and trimix fills very soon (expected mid to end of May 2013).

A substantial rental and demo equipment park is here to serve divers who want to hire, try or use certain equipment while an upstairs servicing area complements our customer service.

Both PADI and TDI recreational and technical diver courses will be run from this new centre, yet still supported with additional lecture facilities in nearby Castletown where the original UE dive shop will continue to serve weekend visitors. The centre will also be the processing headquarters for DirDirect.com, UE's internationally renowned and distinguished online sales outlet. It's size, quadrupling our previous floor space, will allow for a wider range of stock on site and provide substantial additional space to further improve on the processing of growing online sales and enquiries.

Working in close cooperation with the area’s well known skipper and shipwreck explorer Grahame Knott, the site will also be home to The Shipwreck Project, hosting the project control centre, a year-round shipwreck exhibit and events designed to encourage project-based UK diving.

Visiting divers will benefit from plenty of free allocated parking during their shopping visits or as they eventually wait for gas fills when the compressor system is installed, while they's also get an opportunity to see displays of cutting edge equipment in the shop and drop in to the Shipwreck Project area to explore its exhibits and observe ongoing research in action.

UE's new centre is based off Portland Beach Road (A354) at the second roundabout after Ferry Bridge, just across from O'Three. Coming from Weymouth pass Ferry Bridge and the first (Sailing Academy) roundabout towards Portland, turn left at the next roundabout beside the O'Three building. We're right across on the right - where the road's sign posted as Mereside. You can't miss the sign!

For more information you can contact Underwater Explorers 7 days a week on 01305 824 555 or via email through info@underwaterexplorers.co.uk. Follow our updates on this Site or tune into the UE Facebook feed .

The new address for Underwater Explorers is:
Underwater Explorers
Unit 1, Maritime Business Centre
Mereside, Portland
Dorset 
DT5 1FD

About Us: Underwater Explorers is a Five Star PADI Dive Centre, a TDI technical training school and the first ever GUE Facility in the UK - based in Portland, Dorset. We have the best stocked shop in the whole of this area, providing for equipment sales, rental and servicing – and have 15 years of proven experience in the field behind us. We are open 7 days a week including weekends and bank holidays, but are equally happy to open by appointment for traveling visitors or those of you who work odd hours (just send us an email or ring in advance).

Underwater Explorers is best known in the UK for its dedication to cutting-edge equipment and quality training. We are also recognised internationally for running the most unique online dive shop ever, DirDirect.com, where the focus has always been quality and safety without concession - reflecting our approach to diver training.

We provide a range of services for divers visiting Weymouth and Portland  commercial charters and shuttles, dive clubs traveling with their own RIBs, individuals and groups from around the country as well as our own local diving community. We provide the highest quality of service in what we do and better still, we are all divers ourselves.

Best place to tuck in when the wind's blowing East or NE: Over the past years we've placed special emphasis on Chesil Beach which is part of the Jurassic Coast and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We've been involved in a number of projects ranging from our own Chesil Beach Underwater Group to Seasearch, Project Baseline Portland to the Shipwreck Project. Chesil Beach/Cove is listed as one of the best shore diving sites on the South Coast of Britain and fortunate for us, incredibly easy to access any day of the year. With quality cafes and internationally recognised cuisines, plenty of B&Bs and hotels, this part of Dorset is geared up to accommodate divers in the best possible way. Do remember to visit Chesil Cove during your visit as there's free parking in walking distance to the beach and it takes only a few steps to get in the water from the esplanade. Check out our brief Chesil Beach Dive Guide.

"Technical Tasters" for recreational single tank divers
Bring your mask and dry suit -- we'll sort out the rest

PADI? BSAC? SAA? CMAS? SDI? Recreational?

The Tec Experience Days we run on demand throughout the year are an excellent opportunity to understand the basics of technical diving and try out the gear without having to invest on equipment. The idea is to give you a taster without any commitment and integrate some essential skills into a practice dive. This is ideal for those of you who want to see what its like to try out a back mounted BC (wing) or twinset, or even a stage bottle. All dives are in the 15 metre range and follow a morning [dry] session. All equipment required for technical diving (other than mask and dry suit) is provided for the day free of additional charges. For more information contact us via email or call us on 01305 824 555 . Safe diving!...

Intro to Tek

Underwater Explorers is where the technical diving experience begins... based on safe and sound foundations. We have the kit, we have the means, we have the knowledge and experience. We're also the only dive centre to have focused all levels of training on wings, long-hose and continuous loop harness systems for the past 15 years.  

Whether or not you are already familiar with twinset diving systems but want to go ahead and take that first step into technical diving, our 2-day Intro to Technical Diving course is a great experience. We focus on all aspects of technical diving, equipment and configuration, the 'whys and whats' of dive and gas planning before going into the water and working on diving in twinsets, practicing trim, positioning, stage bottles, hose routing, s-drills and whatever your needs.

Located across Portland's main dive boat jetty on the coast of hundreds of wrecks and renown for its dedication to sound technical advice and training, Underwater Explorers is the place to start your adventure into technical diving.

This certification programme will help you improve on your skills and make you a more proficient diver regardless of whether you intend to "get more technical". Includes required equipment.   

Quality Equipment and Training - Fully Stocked Shop - Online Sales with FREE UK Delivery

Top Primers: Intro to UK Diving | Intro to Twins

Try before you buy... All year round

We have an excellent range of equipment available to hire as well as for try before you buy. From Halcyon single and twin tank wing systems to DUI TLS 350 drysuits, lights, scooters ... We offer a complete range of cylinders from singles to twin sets, stage cylinders and the regulator and wing systems to go with them. All our hire equipment is thoroughly maintained and regularly checked. See our complete hire kit list.

"From birth, man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders. He is bolted to earth. But man has only to sink beneath the surface and he is free." Jacques Cousteau