Blue Lagoon

Located in North Yorkshire, it is just a short trip up the A1 from Retford and takes about 40 minutes.

Opening times are 10am - 9pm during the week and 10am - 6pm at weekends.

Entry is a modest £5 each and £5 for the car parking.

Me and Rob went up on Sat 3 May for me to just have a little dip as I haven't been in the water for over a month and only once this year anyway.
It is run by Martin and Sharon and there are the usual facilities, a cafe serving dog burgers, a small shop, air fill station, changing facilities etc.

Straight away I noticed that the entry platform Martin has been working on is complete..and it looks mightily impressive. This caters for a giant stride entry and you can do a walk in entry down some steps (this covers both requirements for those doing open water courses). Mind you...it is a long way down when the water level drops!!! I think the idea of this entry platform is good because it might preserve the viz a little longer by cutting down on the number of people walking in at the usual entry point.

The water was surprisingly warm at 11 degrees and i did notice a couple of people with semi dry's on. ( not for me though yet.. I am nesh!!!)

The viz was better than average but you still have to be careful not to touch the bottom at all because it doesn't take much for it to deteriorate to its usual poor standard. There are a few things to see in there..the tank, the gun, a lorry, a boat and Sharon has started a gnome garden amongst other things.
I am told there is 11m depth somewhere..but I reckon to get that you would have to take your own spade and start digging! The deepest we got was 5.5m on both dives..

and guess what???? I saw a fish for the first time ever in the Lagoon..don't know what type but i thought it was a Lizard coz it looked like it had legs!! (Fish Identification speciality..I can hear PADI offering it now as Speciality of the Month...Kerching!)

The changing rooms are pretty basic..but in all fairness they don't need to be spectacular. The cafe is ok..but the food takes an eternity to arrive and perhaps some of the people serving need a dose of charisma therapy. All the usual stuff is served, dog burgers, bacon butties etc and tea, coffee, hot chocolate etc. Prices are reasonable.

The car park is spacious but ouch....those stones under your feet...and my boots are quite good..but walking from the car park down to the waters edge and back again can be painful from where the stones dig in.

In summary, I think Blue Lagoon is an ok place to go for a chill out or a training session..and i guess for those Open Water first couple of dives while you get over the shock of going from swimming pool where is all nice to a horrible lake where it's not..Blue Lagoon is ideal for that. Me, well, I got bored just swimming around looking at rusty bits of metal in only 5.5m of water...can't believe I did my 50th dive since qualifying last year in Blue Lagoon of all places!!!

Thanks Val for an excellent report on Blue Lagoon and congratulations on completing your 50th dive!