Capernwray Diving Centre
Capernwray Diving Centre
4.5
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Capernwray, Lancashire, England
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Capernwray Diving Centre
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(7 reviews)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
84 reviews
Excellent
55
Very good
17
Average
6
Poor
2
Terrible
4
kate c
22 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
First time visiting today. It was £20 for me and my partner for the day, and the dog was allowed in for free. The water was lovely and clear, surprisingly warm in places too. We saw a large sturgeon when swimming near the entrance which was nice! Make sure to take sliders or water shoes as the gravel around the entrance is quite rough.
There are only two entrances into the water, one of which is quite difficult to get in and out of as it simulates a reef entry for divers, so is slippy and uneven. The other is a very gradual slope, but was very crowded even on a quiet day like today. One of the female staff members who checked us in and served us in the cafe was really lovely, unfortunately some of the staff working in the shop were incredibly ignorant though. Also, the toilets/changing room block was a bit dark and dated, although the actual toilets were clean.
Overall lovely day :)
There are only two entrances into the water, one of which is quite difficult to get in and out of as it simulates a reef entry for divers, so is slippy and uneven. The other is a very gradual slope, but was very crowded even on a quiet day like today. One of the female staff members who checked us in and served us in the cafe was really lovely, unfortunately some of the staff working in the shop were incredibly ignorant though. Also, the toilets/changing room block was a bit dark and dated, although the actual toilets were clean.
Overall lovely day :)
Written September 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Scottishlad31
Glasgow49 contributions
Oct 2022 • Friends
Returning visit to Capenwray. Nice change for us to visit a well structured fresh water centre with comfortable facilities. Last time here was four years ago and same feedback would be for the guy in the shop (Italian maybe) please cheer up and also realise you could be dealing with experienced professional people, After a three hour drive, could have done with someone a bit cheerier and welcoming. After our advice / lecture on how a dive cylinder is serviced, we ate in the cafe and again the girl serving struggled to crack a smile!! Genuinely seemed a bit of an inconvenience for them all. Maybe next time we will just bring all our 6 cylinders filled and a pack lunch to try and stay clear of the mood which would be a shame. Gentleman on front gate was very welcoming and helpful!! Enjoyable day and would return if not scared to ask or say anything to the staff lol
Written October 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mark C
Kendal, UK37 contributions
Jul 2022 • Solo
Always enjoy a training swim here. The water is incredibly clear, love the wildlife on and above and below the water you can spot on your swimming. There's a nice 500m course around large orange buoys or if you hug the lake edge all the way it's about half a mile or 800m or so. There's a well stocked shop, reasonable prices, plus a small café with indoor and outdoor seating. You feel very safe with the set up here with the safety equipment on the shore. A nice jetty to view the swimmers and divers and two easy entry points into the water I particularly like the new entry point to the left of the jetty.
Written July 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
bmcgrat1
20 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
Went to capenwray open water swimming . So water lovely and clear , lovely setting .
Found it quite strange was charged 20.00 on entry , to then have to go to reception and fill in disclaimer and then get 10.00 back . Why not just fill in disclaimer on entry and charge 10.00 ?
Cafe was ok . Waste of cardboard as everything in paper cups and plates . Must cost more in the end than putting pots through a dishwasher .
Girl on entry very polite . Woman on reception needs customer service skills .
Found it quite strange was charged 20.00 on entry , to then have to go to reception and fill in disclaimer and then get 10.00 back . Why not just fill in disclaimer on entry and charge 10.00 ?
Cafe was ok . Waste of cardboard as everything in paper cups and plates . Must cost more in the end than putting pots through a dishwasher .
Girl on entry very polite . Woman on reception needs customer service skills .
Written October 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RobboMollo
United Kingdom2 contributions
Jun 2020
Most businesses are currently approaching reopening cautiously, really disappointed that the management view of Capernwray seems to be to fill the car park to pretty much capacity and let probably 150 swimmers and divers herd themselves into the rather small water entry space. First time i've physically felt 'unsafe' during the pandemic. Didn't bother with air fill, shop, cafe which I hope had better procedures in place.
I also should note the diving and swimming rescue procedures run by the Capernwray staff are beyond EXCEPTIONAL, they've just properly dropped the ball with the covid stuff. Won't be back until it's calmed down
I also should note the diving and swimming rescue procedures run by the Capernwray staff are beyond EXCEPTIONAL, they've just properly dropped the ball with the covid stuff. Won't be back until it's calmed down
Written June 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
I am sad that you think our procedures are insufficient. So far we have had loads of really positive comments about our set up and this is the only negative so far. We have tried really hard to make things as safe as possible and think that we have achieved this. I hope you will visit again and give us another chance. thanks for the thumbs up on our rescue facility.
Carol
Written July 15, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
AmyHNW
Manchester, UK102 contributions
Mar 2023
First UK dive after passing BSAC Ocean Diver and had a great time!
Phoned the day before to set up a 2 year membership and book a semi dry for the 6 degree March temperatures and spoke to a really friendly and helpful chap called Harry who got everything sorted.
On arrival, friendly staff at the gate, easy to park (busy up the top end but lots of space at the bottom). Collected the semi-dry and Carol gave load of top tips to help me out with donning (aswell as some arm manouvers to actually get the semi-dry on - thanks Carol!) :D
The dive itself was interesting but the real highlight was seeing the trout, koi and 6ft long sturgeon! They were so close and I could see so much detail on them! The underwater landscape provided opportunity to swim off ledges and practise a controlled descent as well as some navigation skills and a swim through a plane, which was a first! I enjoyed stumbling upon items including some that I expect fellow divers had left behind.
There are a few changing facilities and at least one shower (there may be more). We didn't try the food but it was nice to sit and warm up with a coffee after diving. I can't wait to go back and see some more.
Special thanks to Harry and Carol for your help!
Phoned the day before to set up a 2 year membership and book a semi dry for the 6 degree March temperatures and spoke to a really friendly and helpful chap called Harry who got everything sorted.
On arrival, friendly staff at the gate, easy to park (busy up the top end but lots of space at the bottom). Collected the semi-dry and Carol gave load of top tips to help me out with donning (aswell as some arm manouvers to actually get the semi-dry on - thanks Carol!) :D
The dive itself was interesting but the real highlight was seeing the trout, koi and 6ft long sturgeon! They were so close and I could see so much detail on them! The underwater landscape provided opportunity to swim off ledges and practise a controlled descent as well as some navigation skills and a swim through a plane, which was a first! I enjoyed stumbling upon items including some that I expect fellow divers had left behind.
There are a few changing facilities and at least one shower (there may be more). We didn't try the food but it was nice to sit and warm up with a coffee after diving. I can't wait to go back and see some more.
Special thanks to Harry and Carol for your help!
Written March 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Matthew P
Grimsby, UK3 contributions
Mar 2022 • Friends
Love the site perfect bit the staff are some of the rudest people. The miserable bloke doing the filling spoke to one of our guys like dirt. Very lucky there was families in the shop or he would have had a problem. Some were nice but compared to other sites generally obnoxious unhelpful and need an attitude adjustment. Also the shop prices are not good. Again stoney and 8 acres especially have brilliant priced bits no excuse to charge what they do. Shame lovely place but we don't so often anymore.
Written July 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
HauteMedocLover
Warwickshire, UK116 contributions
May 2021 • Friends
Dived with friends and our timing combined with the worst viz in ages but I imagine normally it would be as good as the setting and lovely.
Staff are not the friendliest (all 3/4 except at the entrance) this was a big disappointment, is unbelievable and unacceptable....... don’t ever forget this is YOUR business and you are in a service industry.
Air filling is a serious task to get from water to air station and some kind of shuttle should be considered as this is close on impossible for older, less fit divers.
I would not travel and stay over to go again but if it’s easy to get to, go and try it out for yourself as the huge fish are an absolute delight and unlike the staff are very friendly and will swim around you to simply ‘sit’ and watch while you do a safety stop!
Staff are not the friendliest (all 3/4 except at the entrance) this was a big disappointment, is unbelievable and unacceptable....... don’t ever forget this is YOUR business and you are in a service industry.
Air filling is a serious task to get from water to air station and some kind of shuttle should be considered as this is close on impossible for older, less fit divers.
I would not travel and stay over to go again but if it’s easy to get to, go and try it out for yourself as the huge fish are an absolute delight and unlike the staff are very friendly and will swim around you to simply ‘sit’ and watch while you do a safety stop!
Written May 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
The L
3 contributions
Aug 2021 • Solo
Didn't start off well found a bloody condom on the parking then once I was in I wasn't allowed too use the toilet bacasue of my race.. had too pee in a Bush only too have someone who claimed too be the manager offer me pictures off children in exchange for a warm beer from the cafe. Water was grim and came back too find my car had been vandalised ... at least I had the beer too drink though
Written August 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Marion M
Fife, UK51 contributions
Nov 2019
Everyone at Caperwray are professional, friendly and knowledgeable. Everything is available on site e.g. shop, cafe, air/nitrox, changing facilities.
Shore diving into fresh water with easy entry/ exit. Great fun if you are following their map & coordinates to discover aeroplanes, boats etc. The quarry also has some big Sturgeon.
Good for all divers at all levels.
Shore diving into fresh water with easy entry/ exit. Great fun if you are following their map & coordinates to discover aeroplanes, boats etc. The quarry also has some big Sturgeon.
Good for all divers at all levels.
Written May 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Danielle G
Bradford, UK
Is my dads picture still in the cockpit of the plane ? STEPHEN MCGUIGAN? If so do you have a recent picture please
The L
3 contributions
No im pretty sure they binned it sorry
WayneMcgarry
Liverpool2 contributions
HI, how much is it to hire all the equipment pls? ta
jack k
1 contribution
45 pounds for drysuit and 35 pounds for semi dry
Howmuch is it
DCConsett
Consett, UK54 contributions
£12 per visit with an annual or lifetime membership fee
ScotlandMaz
Edinburgh, Scotland14 contributions
Hi, how easy is it to get a taxi from Capernwray diving centre to the station at Carnforth?
TessaDW
Wigan, UK336 contributions
Don't see where there should be a problem. Just did a little google and there are many taxi companies in Carnforth. Am sure the staff at Capernwray will gladly call one for you.