Sandford & Down Diver Training

Located at 24 Pier Street in Plymouth, Sandford & Down serves as a central hub for the local diving community. The centre combines a dedicated training facility with a well-stocked retail shop, catering to both recreational divers and those looking for professional equipment maintenance.

With a history spanning more than five decades, the team brings a wealth of knowledge drawn from commercial, recreational, and military diving sectors. This depth of experience is reflected in their approach to both instruction and technical equipment care.

The team at Sandford & Down is built on over 50 years of industry experience. This background allows them to provide personalised advice and technical expertise that goes beyond standard recreational instruction.

As a BSAC affiliated centre, they focus on delivering high-quality training programmes. Their instructors are experienced in guiding divers through various certification levels, ensuring a professional standard of safety and skill development.

Sandford & Down offers a complete suite of BSAC training programmes. Beginners can start with a Try Dive before progressing through the Ocean Diver and Sport Diver certification levels.

For more advanced divers, the centre provides Rescue Training and specialised courses such as Boat Handling and O2 Administration. Their Ocean Diver and Sport Diver courses are designed to include Nitrox certification and include two days of diving in a RIB or hard boat.

Dives are conducted using RIBs or hard boats, providing reliable access to the local diving grounds from the Plymouth area.

The centre operates a comprehensive retail shop featuring leading industry brands. They offer a full range of kit for hire, including wetsuits, drysuits, masks, regulators, fins, BCDs, and dive computers.

For those looking to maintain their own kit, the centre provides professional servicing. They are IDEST certified to perform cylinder cleaning, ensuring your breathing gas system meets strict safety standards. Nitrox is also available for divers looking to extend their bottom times.