Fees · Destination Guide
Cold-water wrecks, living reefs, and sheltered shore dives across Devon's ocean cities
Key fee: UK Electronic Travel Authorisation
GBP 20 per person at the research date
Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.
There is no general South Devon tourism levy, no Plymouth Sound National Marine Park dive tag, and no universal fee simply to enter the sea. Costs arise from nationality-specific UK travel permission, optional guided products, parking, charter services, and regulated activities. The important dive-specific permit is the Devon and Severn IFCA recreational diving permit, but it applies only when taking specified shellfish, not to ordinary observation, photography, or training. Heritage rules are separate: designated protected wrecks require licensed access, and recovered wreck material must be reported. Prices below reflect official pages at the research date and should be rechecked before payment.
| Fee | Amount | Applies to | Where to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK Electronic Travel Authorisation |
GBP 20 per person at the research date Normally multiple journeys over 2 years or until the linked passport expires, with stays up to 6 months at a time |
| Eligible visa-exempt travelers who are not covered by an exemption |
| Official UK ETA app or https://www.gov.uk/eta |
Each traveler, including a child, needs their own permission when required. British and Irish citizens do not need an ETA. Check nationality and status through GOV.UK, use the same passport for the application and journey, and avoid third-party sites that charge more. |
| Devon and Severn IFCA Category 2 recreational diving permit | GBP 20 24 months | Recreational divers taking crab, lobster, spiny lobster, or scallops within the regulated district | Where to pay | This is not a general scuba permit. Wildlife watching, photography, and ordinary no-take diving do not require it. Permit holders accept legal obligations and must follow current species, size, quantity, area, and gear restrictions. Apply before the trip rather than expecting instant harbour-side issue. |
| Plymouth Sound National Marine Park access | No general entry fee or dive tag Not applicable | Ordinary recreational access, subject to navigation, site, habitat, landowner, and operator rules | No purchase required | National Marine Park status does not override King's Harbour Master directions, protected-wreck law, fisheries regulation, bathing zones, local parking charges, or private operator fees. Treat seagrass and other sensitive habitat as no-contact areas. |
| Wembury public snorkel safari | GBP 30 per participant One booked event | Booked participants age 8 or older who meet the swimming and medical requirements | Published event link through https://www.wemburymarinecentre.org/whats/snorkel-safaris | Full equipment is included at no additional hire cost. The Marine Centre asks for a GBP 20 cash equipment deposit, returned when kit is not lost or damaged. National Trust parking charges are separate. Weather cancellation can lead to an alternative date or refund under the published terms. |
| Plymouth blue-shark snorkeling day | GBP 175 per person One operator day | Adults, or participants age 16 and 17 accompanied by a parent or guardian, subject to operator acceptance | Direct with In Deep through https://indeep.co.uk/blue-shark/ | The current page includes equipment and states a GBP 50 deposit, with final balance due 6 weeks before departure. Trips run on selected weekdays from July to September and use compulsory chumming and baiting. Weather, minimum numbers, and wild animals affect operation and sightings. |
| Protected wreck access licence | No single visitor price As specified by the licence | Diving, surveying, or interfering with a designated protected wreck where a licence is legally required | Apply or obtain permission through the relevant Historic England protected-wreck process | A general dive qualification does not grant access. Confirm designation status and licence conditions before planning the site. The ordinary recreational wrecks highlighted in this guide still require no-take behavior, safe navigation, and respect for remains. |
| Receiver of Wreck reporting | No reporting fee Report qualifying recovered material within 28 days | Anyone who recovers wreck material in UK territorial waters or brings qualifying wreck material into the UK | No purchase; follow https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wreck-and-salvage-law | Do not assume an object is abandoned property. Record where it was found, preserve it safely, and follow the official reporting process. The simplest visitor rule is to leave wreck material in place. |
Fee
Normally multiple journeys over 2 years or until the linked passport expires, with stays up to 6 months at a time
Each traveler, including a child, needs their own permission when required. British and Irish citizens do not need an ETA. Check nationality and status through GOV.UK, use the same passport for the application and journey, and avoid third-party sites that charge more.
24 months
This is not a general scuba permit. Wildlife watching, photography, and ordinary no-take diving do not require it. Permit holders accept legal obligations and must follow current species, size, quantity, area, and gear restrictions. Apply before the trip rather than expecting instant harbour-side issue.
Not applicable
National Marine Park status does not override King's Harbour Master directions, protected-wreck law, fisheries regulation, bathing zones, local parking charges, or private operator fees. Treat seagrass and other sensitive habitat as no-contact areas.
One booked event
Full equipment is included at no additional hire cost. The Marine Centre asks for a GBP 20 cash equipment deposit, returned when kit is not lost or damaged. National Trust parking charges are separate. Weather cancellation can lead to an alternative date or refund under the published terms.
One operator day
The current page includes equipment and states a GBP 50 deposit, with final balance due 6 weeks before departure. Trips run on selected weekdays from July to September and use compulsory chumming and baiting. Weather, minimum numbers, and wild animals affect operation and sightings.
As specified by the licence
A general dive qualification does not grant access. Confirm designation status and licence conditions before planning the site. The ordinary recreational wrecks highlighted in this guide still require no-take behavior, safe navigation, and respect for remains.
Report qualifying recovered material within 28 days
Do not assume an object is abandoned property. Record where it was found, preserve it safely, and follow the official reporting process. The simplest visitor rule is to leave wreck material in place.