Until 1958 granite was quarried at Stoney Stanton for road building or paving streets. Then, with a decline in need for granite, the pumps were turned off and the old quarry allowed to flood. The North Sea oil boom brought a new lease of life to the place for testing underwater equipment. In 1978 a company called Stoney Cove Marine Trials was formed to promote scuba diving activities. And the rest is history!

Stoney provides a variety of depths; the 7 metre shelf is ideal for novices, another at around 20 metres for intermediate training, with advanced divers having up to 36 metres to enjoy.

Stoney Cove as it appears today...

And as it appeared when operating as a quarry

Underwater attractions include a Viscount aircraft cockpit, a replica of Captain Nemo's Nautilus, a Wessex helicopter, an old coach, a light aircraft and the Stanegarth, a 1910 steam tug, along with some relics from the former quarry days and plenty of crayfish, carp, pike, perch, roach etc.

Above the water-line is a dive shop, pub, restaurant, toilets, showers and more!

The Viscount Cockpit