A Brief History of Big Squid

1999
Big Squid was established in Clapham North by John Forbath.
The first Big Squid trip runs to Sharm El Sheikh Egypt.

2007
Big Squid move to Squid HQ in Clapham and open a dive centre.
Awarded PADI 5 star dive centre status.

2009
Death of Big Squid Instructor Kevin Beurle who was a huge influence on the development of Big Squid.
Runner up in Lambeth Business awards.

2013
Awarded PADI 5 star instructor development status.

Since 1999

Other interesting things about Big Squid

Its been amazing!

Big Squid Scuba Diving Centre London was live.

6 hours ago

Big Squid Scuba Diving Centre London and Dulwich #scubalondon #padicourseslondon #ssicourseslondon #bigsquiddivercentre ... See MoreSee Less

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Big Squid Scuba Diving Centre London

2 weeks ago

Bigsquid, dive centre running Free Diver courses and scuba courses in Clapham tonight.
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Big Squid Scuba Diving Centre London

2 weeks ago

Bigsquid Divers central London, running Free diving and Scuba courses in Clapham leisure centre. #clapham, #freedivingclapham #freediving,London ... See MoreSee Less

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Big Squid Scuba Diving Centre London

4 weeks ago

Bigsquid, Scuba and Free diving classes in Clapham tonight. #freedivinglondon #scubalondon #scuba-DivingClapham #freediving,Clapham ... See MoreSee Less

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Big Squid Scuba Diving Centre London

4 weeks ago

Viviene’s video from a great trip to el Hierro ... See MoreSee Less

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Big Squid

5.0

Based on 60 reviews

review us on

Lorena Oberg (Lorena Oberg Skincare)

11:27 10 Nov 23

I took my second hand equipment to be serviced. ... They were very helpful. Sadly later had issues with the servicing (these things are outsourced so it's not directly their fault). They immediately got on it and eventually refunded me.It's my opinion that a business shows how good they are when there are problems. Handled beautifully and highly recommendread more

Jérémie Girand

20:11 02 Oct 23

Worked with BigSquid to get an open water... referral.Amazing experience, nice people, really know their stuff.read more

Shamz Uddin

17:02 24 Aug 23

I’ve yet to have an opportunity to dive with Big... Squid but when I went in asking for help with my SSI account, John was extremely helpful and supportive making phone calls and sending emails to help me fix an issue with my account. I will no doubt be diving with Big Squid in the future just going by how great the customer service isread more

David Glenville

14:47 20 Jul 23

Debbie Seaton

10:41 01 Apr 23

Just visited here for the first time, can't... recommend it highly enough, very helpful, very knowledgeable, great prices and very generous. Thank you for your help Johnread more

Greg Szasz

16:15 14 Mar 23

We did the practical part of the EFR... certification with Big Squid. John was responsive and helpful through the booking process, and we quickly locked down the details for the course.The location at Clapham was convenient and easy to reach, and the course took place at their cozy unit.Kevin was the instructor, who explained everything clearly and was super helpful. He and John (his live demonstration dummy!) showed us the skills, and we walked through them together effortlessly.read more

Leona

07:07 07 Sep 22

Big thank you to John and his colleagues Mattewos... and Jerry. I had a fantastic time. They were very patient as it took me time to get to grips with it as I was doing my padi open water so new to diving. I had a really good time and they were very supportive, informative and great teachers. Thank you!read more

Lindsey Scott

20:25 03 Sep 22

Great dive store and club! John did a great job... and quick turnaround servicing my regulators this week. Always great trips away too :)read more

Siona Tomlinson

13:18 01 Sep 22

Amazing customer service. John couldn’t have been... more helpful and kind.read more

Tom Spanswick

14:10 12 Jul 22

I've just completed my Open Water referral course... with Big Squid and couldn't recommend it more highly with the team. John, Phil and the rest of the team were super friendly, highly knowledgeable and made the diving experience one to remember. I'll definitely be returning to do some more courses with them!read more

Nicolas Bonnet

15:46 19 Mar 22

I would give them 6 stars if I could. Very... professional, knowledgable and friendly staff. Went there for my Open Water referral. 5 awesome training sessions where I learnt a lot with John and his team (Phil, Kevin). I never thought diving in London would be so fun. And I will definitely continue diving with them 👍🏻read more

Becky Rowe

19:20 24 Oct 21

Have really enjoyed getting to know Big Squid... over the last year or so. Super friendly and welcoming group of people. Great trips (don't miss Lundy!) Just completed my Rescue Diver course with them. Great fun!read more

Christina Matawa

10:15 30 Aug 21

I also could not recommend John and his team... highly enough. The communication before and during the dive weekend was excellent and very professional, the equipment was the best I've ever had, the team were friendly and accommodating and also made the experience fun and less daunting for me, joining for the weekend by myself. Thank you!!read more

Natalie Brooks

07:46 27 Jul 21

Just finished an equipment speciality course with... Big Squid. John made the entire experience really interesting and fun, it is great to actually finish a course and know I've learned things! Definitely recommend Big Squid for any of your diving needs, the team are great and really go out of their way to help.read more

Karine Tereszkiewicz

19:25 24 Oct 20

great team, Tania was my teacher for the confined... session and she was brilliant, patient and we had lots of fun, The sessions are done in pool in clapham or dulwich, great facilities for both. John communicates all the information to go there, Covid security etc. before each session via email.This is really professional , with a really friendly vibes. Highly recommend! Thanks a lot!read more

Helen stewart

13:33 22 Oct 20

Really lovely dive shop. Friendly and personable

TMC Services Ltd

18:09 04 Jul 20

Excellent help and support from John. I am an Air... Gunner and ordered my 300bar air cylinder from them and have regularly taken back for re-fills and repairs when I damaged the pressure gauge. Would highly recommendread more

Bashkim Isai

15:40 02 Jul 20

My preferred dive shop in London - great prices,... excellent service, always gives you a good deal and expert advice. Would recommend to any diverread more

Adrian Mullins

19:22 11 Apr 20

I've got my dive kit from here for many years.... They're always able to price match any of the online dive kit retailers but the benefit is you get a friendly, knowledgeable diver to offer expert assistance. I can't recommend Big Squid highly enough.read more

Di Xu

19:12 11 Feb 20

Big squid is a great centre to do course and... fun-dive with! John has built up a community of very experienced instructors and dm over the years that you can learn and dive with. Everyone is super friendly and logistics is always well-organised!read more

Rachel H

14:34 20 Oct 19

Great dive team at Big Squid - brilliant... instructors. Really good courses. I cannot recommend them highly enough!!!read more

Michael Gallagher

09:34 30 Aug 19

Brilliant service! Highly recommended. All dive... shops should be so customer friendly.read more

michael kearns

13:05 11 Aug 19

Went in to buy a mask lovely fella,very helpfully... not pushy at all gave me great advice on masks,had a lovely chat booked my scuba refresher course with them which I’d highly recommend,and he gave me a book free off charge on diving in the Philippine s, just a great experience,came out with a smile on my face,Great shop great staff.Thank you Big Squidread more

Katie Tomsett

14:25 07 Jun 19

Couldn’t be happier with my experience here. I... said I didn’t want to spend too much and every effort was made to ensure I got the best quality equipment at the lowest price. Great service and great location - I’ll definitely be back!read more

Sarah Turner

16:13 20 Sep 15

I've just finished the Open Water Referral course... and my experience has been excellent. The instructors were all very friendly and extremely competent which put the whole group at ease for the pool dives. I felt very safe and relaxed. The Knowledge Development session was also excellent and the instructor again put us all at ease creating a great learning environment with lots of Q&A and discussion. I feel completely equipped to go on to the Open Water dives.I would definitely recommend Big Squid to anyone wanting to learn to dive.read more

Next Reviews

A Brief History of Big Squid

A Brief History of Big Squid

Past Dive Trips

Past UK Trips

Other interesting things about Big Squid