Sovereign Diving

We have had a cracking season diving with Sovereign this year - despite everything that's been going on in 2020!Ever since we opened our little dive centre over 3 years ago, we've worked with Andy and the gang because we know how fantastic they are both on the water and in the office.The skippers have an insane knowledge of the islands and the dive sites. We trust them completely when it comes to dive planning and how to get the most out of our dives given the conditions on the day.When it comes to organising dives and making bookings, they're a dream to work with. Nothing is a bother and they bend over backwards to make things work.The icing on the cake for us is their passion for protecting the environment and their genuine love for the marine life that lives around the Northumberland coast.Whether you're an individual diver looking for a Farnes trip, a big gang of divers or a dive centre - you've got to check these guys out.

Great two days diving, thanks Andrew and Sovereign divers, first class boat, plenty of space, great lift for getting out of the water, always had a tea or coffee waiting for us after a dive and even helped folks out with their kit, most importantly he knew where the seals were and can put a boat anywhere you want and stop it on a dime!Hope to see you again

There are plenty of companies offering dive services to the Farne Islands, so why choose one whose owner is a miserable sod that rarely bothers communicating? Texts are ignored and emails go unanswered.Had to cancel a day after my drysuit leaked and was still forced to pay for the space on the boat. This would make sense had the boat been full and we were taking spaces off others, but it was not full. Couldn't even be bothered to turn up to take payment and made the boat captain ask for the money instead so there was no way to have a discussion regarding the payment.Won't be using again. Avoid.

Fab weekend diving with these guys. They know the dive sites and can spot the playful seals, dropped us in the right spot every time! Exceeded expectations, worth the 9 hour drive from west wales. The seals are super cheeky nibbling fins and indeed fingers! I have no doubt we'll be back for more.

Our experience with Sovereign Divers wasn’t too great… we arrived at 7.30am for an 8am departure. No boat! After several phone calls, the owner arrived and said he had no record of our booking and had assumed we didn’t want it – we’d sent him an email just over a week ago asking to book the boat for a morning’s diving. The boat was stuck at the back of the harbour. He arranged for the skipper to take us out once the tide rose high enough to float the boat, but if you needed to leave at 8am and you leave at 9.30am, you’re going to miss slack water. We had an extremely bumpy ride to and from the Farne Islands, where it became obvious that diving was not an option due to the currents. We were offered a 4m shallow dive on the way back! As it was, we opted to return and get a refund, having wasted the morning.The boat is great, and I can’t fault the skipper, who turned up at very short notice and did his best to give us a dive – he clearly knows his stuff. A quick look at other reviews here suggests this has been a few people’s experiences; the actual diving’s great, but the communications and bookings handling isn’t. If you’re going to dive with Sovereign, I’d call them a few days in advance to double-check they know you’re coming!

Booked 2 days diving back in April 2021 for August 2021. With less than a weeks notice they emailed to cancel my planned trips with absolutely no help in rescuing my trip or finding alternative providers in the area that could provide the service they were letting me down with. Slow communication throughout. Having already invested over £200 in non-refundable accommodation and train travel I contacted their big competitor who rescued my trip. Dont waste your time with these guys.

Great place for air fills and dive equipment when diving the Farnes. Owners are happy to share their extensive knowledge of the local dive sites.

Another great weekend diving with Sovereign Diving (our 4th year with them), good communication with Andrew throughout the year about our trip. Serenity II is a great boat with good space onboard and Chris the deckhand is very helpful when getting in and out of the water. Our only brief to Andrew or Toby the skippers is to dive with the seals and they have never failed to deliver. Can highly recommend Sovereign Diving and we are going back in 2022 for our 5th year with them and they are well worth the 5.5 hour drive up.

1st Day diving: Just get onto the boat, don't wait for introductions, Staff are busy.....Once your on the boat, just gear up, names are asked later.......I wasn't under the impression that names are taken or emergency contact info gathered etc.Dive sites were good, briefs are very brief....so listen closely. Check with your buddies if you didn't hear the brief. Great help with the lift on the rear of the boat & staff remove your fins for you. Cup of tea/coffee offered.Staff stay in the cabin, so not much conversation.2nd Day: rough sea so we decided not to dive, you still pay £50 even if you do not dive, so bear this in mind. No smiles or conversation at 7:45am, Sunday morning......NO THANK YOU once we paid £330, although I thanked Andrew (owner)......Dive sites / diving excellent.....Sovereign divers....ok.

Best diver accommodation I've ever stayed in (20 years diving) fab breakfast cooked by lovely Jean. Skipper Andrew dropped us in the best sheltered bits and if we missed the ladder or rope just came back round to get us.. no struggling to get back on boat!Huge boats with plenty of storage that travel well through the water, bit lumpy on 2nd day of our trip but no seasickness for anyone!Definitely recommend *******