The UK dive calendar has a few fixed points. Go Diving Show is now one of them… a big, busy weekend built around kit, travel, training and the people who live for time underwater.
Go Diving Show 2026 lands at NAEC Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, on 28 February–1 March. Expect a packed show floor (10,000 sq m) and plenty of chances to get hands-on with gear, compare destinations, and lock in show-only offers.
The quick take
- Go with a plan: the best deals disappear fast once the stands get busy.
- Prioritise fit checks (drysuits, gloves) early — queues grow by mid-morning.
- Travel brands bring real value if you ask the right questions (routes, seasons, add-ons).
- If you’re club organising for 2026, liveaboard operators want to talk dates now.
The show basics (so you don’t waste time)
When: Weekend of 28 February–1 March 2026
Where: NAEC Stoneleigh Park, Coventry
Why it matters: One roof for new kit, destination shopping, training options, and old-fashioned diver networking.
Pro tip: Arrive early on Saturday if you want serious one-to-one time with exhibitors. Sunday tends to be better for relaxed browsing — but the hottest deals may already be gone.
Exhibitors to put on your shortlist
Aqua-Firma Worldwide (Stand 626): Galápagos with a science-and-photo focus
If Galápagos is on your bucket list, this is one to pin. Aqua-Firma is promoting a Galápagos Shark Research & Photography liveaboard running 27 July–3 August 2026, hosted by Dr Simon Pierce (Marine Megafauna Foundation co-founder).
The trip is framed around learning as well as diving — think research insight and photography support rather than just ticking off sites.
What to ask at the stand
- What’s included in the £4,790 price (flights, park fees, nitrox, etc.)
- How “photo-focused” it really is — workshops, briefings, in-water coaching
- What experience level they recommend for the itinerary and conditions
- Typical shark encounters and seasonal expectations
Smart move: Ask about repeat-diver or group incentives — these often exist but aren’t always advertised.
Contact: info@aqua-firma.com | www.aqua-firma.com | +44 (0)1428 620012
O’Three (Stand 330): try-on time for drysuits
Drysuit shopping online is a gamble. O’Three is bringing a full range of neoprene and tri-laminate suits for divers to try on, plus advice on servicing and sizing.
If you’re between sizes, changing undersuit thickness, or just tired of fighting your seals, this is a stand to visit early.
What to do at the stand
- Book a fitting slot as soon as you arrive
- Bring the underlayers you actually dive in (or at least know the thickness)
- Ask about service turnaround times and what’s included
- Check seal options (latex vs neoprene vs silicone systems)
Insider tip: Even if you’re not buying immediately, getting properly measured now can save a costly mistake later.
Contact: info@othree.co.uk | www.othree.co.uk | +44 (0)1305 822820
Bunaken Oasis Dive Resort & Spa (Stand 440): Indonesia packages with a booking window
Bunaken is a classic for warm-water wall diving and reef life, and Bunaken Oasis is pushing a show offer that applies across diving and non-diving packages.
Show offer basics
- Book by: 1 April
- Travel valid until: 31 December 2027
- Applies to: full diving / reduced diving / non-diving packages
What to ask
- Which months they recommend for best visibility and calm seas
- How they handle mixed groups (divers + non-divers)
- What’s included in each package tier
- Typical boat schedules and guide ratios
Worth knowing: Bunaken works especially well for couples where only one person dives — but confirm non-diver pricing carefully.
Contact: georgie.bartlett@bunakenoasis.com | www.bunakenoasis.com | 07557 105593
Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (Stand CV10): wrecks, reefs and easy Caribbean diving
Barbados is pitching itself as a do-it-all island: culture topside, and a mix of reefs and wrecks underwater. If you want a destination that works for newer divers and still keeps experienced buddies entertained, it’s worth a chat.
Notable drawcards include artificial reefs and the Stavronikita wreck — one of the Caribbean’s better-known penetrable wrecks.
What to ask
- Best areas to stay for easy access to dive ops
- Typical conditions by season (and hurricane-season realities)
- Options for mixed itineraries: diving days plus non-diving activities
- Shore vs boat diving balance
Reality check: Barbados is rarely the cheapest Caribbean option — but it often wins on ease and reliability.
Contact: btmiuk@visitbarbados.org | www.visitbarbados.org | +44 (0)207 299 7175
Siladen Resort & Coral Eye Resort (Stand 565): twin-island North Sulawesi, with perks
Two sister resorts, two different flavours of North Sulawesi:
- Siladen Resort (Bunaken National Park): wall diving, big reef scenes, and the chance to add black water diving
- Coral Eye Resort (Bangka Island): boutique vibe with a strong underwater-photo and marine-enthusiast angle, plus a wide spread of site types (pinnacles, gardens, slopes, mangroves, walls)
They’re also promoting a combined-stay incentive:
- Stay minimum five nights at each resort, or seven nights at one
- Receive free Nitrox and a complimentary villa upgrade (subject to availability on arrival)
- Quote code: “Scubaverse in Sulawesi” when booking via email
- Show-time chance to win six nights at their resorts
What to ask
- How transfers work between islands (and whether you can dive/snorkel en route)
- Which resort best suits your diving style
- Nitrox availability details and any conditions
- Best seasons for critters vs wide-angle
Contact: reservations@siladen.com | www.siladen.com | +62 811 4300641
reservations@coral-eye.com | www.coral-eye.com | +62 811 4300641
KUBI Dry Glove Systems (Stand 550): cold-water comfort that actually lasts
If you dive UK waters, dry gloves aren’t a luxury — they’re a season extender. KUBI specialises in dry glove systems built for colder, tougher diving, with a modular approach designed to be straightforward to fit and maintain.
The stand also includes associated brands: Miflex Hoses, Omniswivel International, Oceanarium, Best Divers.
What to ask
- Compatibility with your current suit and ring system
- Which glove combinations suit your typical temperatures
- Field repair options and spare parts to carry
- Real-world durability vs silicone alternatives
Practical tip: Take a photo of your current cuff system before the show — it speeds up compatibility advice massively.
Contact: sales@kubistore.co.uk | www.miflexhoseshop.co.uk | 0116 238 8255
Big Blue liveaboard (on RAID Stand 580): Red Sea safari, built for divers not gimmicks
Big Blue is selling a Red Sea liveaboard concept that leans hard into practicality and safety — and away from floating-hotel extras. The pitch is simple: stable platform, diver-focused layout, and a schedule designed to reduce the feeling of being herded.
They’re also talking directly to clubs about 2026 charters, with flexibility to shape the week around wrecks or reefs.
Dates and routes mentioned
- 9 May 2026 – Fury Shoals & South
- 18 July 2026 – Brother, Safaga & North
- 9 September 2026 – South Explorer
- Offer: 25% discount on safari base cost (as stated)
What to ask
- What the discount actually applies to
- Group sizes and guide ratios
- How staggered entries work in practice
- Tank fills, nitrox policy, and deck workflow
Club organiser tip: Ask about full-boat charter thresholds — this is often where the real value appears.
Contact: info@mybigblue.com | www.mybigblue.com | +20 1065540888
The Dive Bus Curaçao (Stand 720): shore diving made simple
Curaçao is a shore-diving heavyweight, and The Dive Bus is leaning into what many divers actually want on holiday: small groups, guided dives, and low-stress logistics.
They’re promoting accommodation-led packages including Sleep, Drive & Dive and Drive & Dive options.
What to ask
- How their guided shore dives are structured (max group sizes)
- Vehicle type and insurance details in Drive & Dive packages
- Tank logistics and opening hours for shore divers
- Best months for visibility and calm conditions
- Whether they support photographers with rinse/storage space
Why it’s worth a look: Curaçao rewards divers who like flexibility — but only if the logistics are smooth. This is where operators can make or break the trip.
Contact: info@thedivebus.com | www.thedivebus.com | +5999 661 3483
How to get real value from the Go Diving Show 2026
If you walk in cold, it’s easy to spend four hours collecting brochures and leave none the wiser. A little strategy goes a long way.
Before you go
- Make a hit list of stands you genuinely care about
- Set a rough budget (gear and/or travel)
- Check your current kit sizes and specs
- If planning a club trip, know your rough numbers and dates
On the day
- Do fittings first, browsing second
- Take photos of offers — you will forget details
- Ask for written quotes on bigger trips
- Don’t be shy about asking “what’s the show deal?”
After the show
- Follow up quickly! Many offers have short windows
- Compare like-for-like inclusions before booking
- Loop in your dive buddies early if it’s a group plan
Go Diving Show 2026 isn’t just a gear marketplace — it’s one of the few places where the UK dive community still properly gathers in person. Go with a plan, ask sharper questions than the average punter, and you can walk out with genuinely better trips, better-fitting kit, and maybe even your 2026 dive calendar sorted in one weekend.
If you’re serious about diving next year, this is one date worth circling in thick marker.
