Customer Reviews and Feedback for the National Diving & Activity Centre

Just came back from a brilliant hen weekend here the accommodation was lovely and clean, the cafe bar was amazing and the food potion sizes were excellent, definitely value for money and the staff were so helpful the whole weekend.

The activities looked amazing and a few of our group did the zip line which they all thought was great. Will return here again in the future!

We have just returned to Glasgow following our 2 night stay with you. I had to email to tell you how impressed we were with the whole experience.

We recently celebrated our 30th Wedding Anniversary and our stay with you was part of the continuing celebrations allowing us some rare and much needed time away from work & family.

The Wigwam was comfortable, very clean and welcoming. The staff were friendly & helpful - in particular the waitress Debbie and the chef Sean - they went above and beyond their duties to help us and provided a first class service.

The only disappointment for us involved an error in the booking process which deprived us of the hot tub we were expecting to access - however, since this was an experiment using a Wowcher and was hugely discounted, we can't complain. One of the managers appreciated our disappointment and offered a free evening meal to compensate which was unexpected and gratefully received.

We will definitely return at some point in the future and hopefully try some of the activities on offer.

Just spent the weekend here with the whole family celebrating my adrenaline junkie husbands big 50!!

What a fantastic place could not fault it. The staff are a credit to the owners so polite friendly and helpful especially Theo in the Segways.

Bloody brilliant thank you for giving us all such a superb weekend - we are coming back to do a PADI Dive Course (without the kids) and sample the delux wigwams!!!! 7 very satisfied customers

We just wanted to let you know what a fantastic night we had on Friday. We had a ball! The wigwams were so much fun, and your staff were so accommodating!

We would personally like to thank Nikki, who did a tremendous job with organizing our party, the room blew me away! All the bar staff that night were fantastic. Also Jenni who organized a lot of us to do the zip slide on Saturday, she was also brilliant. You can see that you've got great staff, who love their job!!. We met so many of your staff over the weekend, they are a credit, and very friendly.

Thank you for helping us celebrate our 20th anniversary, and making it one to remember!

Contact us if you would like to organise a private booking at the View Cafe Bar, or any of our activities.

Absolutely fantastic venue for open water swim training. Beautiful clear waters, great views, easy access to and from the water.

An amazing place with amazing attractions and facilities. Plenty to do and see for divers and non divers. The water walking in the balls is brilliant experience with the divers underneath you. I would recommend anyone to have a go.

Visited this diver centre for the very first time on the 1st June 2014. Well what can I say, amazing site with friendly staff and great facilities, can't wait to go back and dive this site again

Had a very interesting day diving, had regulator fault that I knew about before diving and asked the very nice manager at NDAC to help.

He subsequently found that after adjusting and cleaning and servicing the 2nd stage that the 1st stage was bleeding, the interstage pressure causing the 2nd stage to bleed, took apart the 1st stage and found the high pressure seat was failing, he replaced my 1st stage with another and i went diving while he worked on and serviced my 1st stage ready for me to have refitted while waiting for a gas fill over lunch.....what a fantastic service.

Scuba review was excellent great staff definitely given us the confidence after a 2 year break - and to those that helped find Sophie's bag you were so helpful.

Really amazing experience, will definitely go again and make a weekend of it so we can do more activities!

Since starting diving I have had the pleasure of attending NDAC several times, each time keeps getting better.

The most recent was Saturday 12th October 2013. Two fantastic day dives and a short but enjoyable night dive (got separated from buddy) I even managed to pick up one of the fantastic fourth element tokens.

Superb place, great for everything from teaching DSD though to Trimix CCR - miss you guys :)

Today myself and a friend took part in the Wire Zip Slide for St Davids Hospice.

Ffairplay to the lads manning the Wire, they were fantastic and very kind and helpful. They made us feel safe and secure etc. I'm definitely returning to do this again whether its a charity event or a joint hen and stag kind of do ;)

Had a amazing time on the Wire Zip Slide on Saturday will, definitely be coming again

Thank you for an excellent weekend, great activities, fantastic live band at the View Cafe Bar and great people.

JUST DID THE FLY BOARDING IT WAS EPIC!!!! BIG THANKS TO LIZZY AND STEVE THEY WERE AWSOME!!!!!

It was another amazing weekend at Chepstow, as always all the staff helpful and professional at all times making it a real fun weekend.

I'm impressed you took my e-mail so seriously - another reason why we like to use the NDAC whenever we can for training. You really do seem to make safety a priority, unlike some other 'stoneyer' sites I could mention :-)

The new 'attractions' make a change, very nice to see a new improvement every time we visit. The concrete road made for a much smoother ride to the pontoon, and I imagine must save you pounds in van tyres.

A few weeks ago I was diving at the NDAC Chepstow. My buddy wanted to practise with a blob, as he's new to UK diving, so at the end of the dive he sent up his new 'red and yellow' blob (one side each colour). I should add that he did not buy it on my recomendation

When we got out, the guy on the pontoon came over and had a very friendly chat with us to let us know about a new-ish (to us anyway) rule that yellow blobs should only be used in emergency, and as my mates blob span round he coud see yellow, red, yellow, red....... He was very nice, and said if we used it again to let him know before we got it - absolutely fair enough. Was nice to know he was watching in all honesty - certain other more 'stoney' sites don't seem to have that level of surface supervision.

Recently, I was arranging another trip, and pointed out this rule to the others i was going with. In doing so, I could not find any reference to the rule on the NDAC website, so dropped a mail to the 'contact us' address. I was pleasantly surprised to get a prompt reply with thanks, and that they would add the information to the site. Today I get a mail from the web designer and from Darren telling me the change has been added and thanking me again. I have to say i was very impressed with all of this.

So, once agian, well done the NDAC. And no, i don't have any connection apart from as a happy customer.

I've done loads Dive Courses at the NDAC from Advanced, Deep, Rescue and Nitrox. Can't thank Darren and his staff enoug - cracking place to dive and learn

Just been diving at National Diving and Activity Centre @NDAC_co_uk in Chepstow, fabulous inland facility I highly recommend. Good vis today

Awesome dive site, loads to see underwater, friendly staff and cool wigwams. Cant wait to go back

Thanks to all your staff for there help over our stay with you this weekend they were as helpful as ever, fantastic night dive too, keep up the good work.

Membership renewed......two good dives.....lunch in the sun.......thanks NDAC for a great day & loving the new access to the pontoon.

Hi Myself and 9 other diving friends from London came down this weekend for some relaxed diving, as most of us had never been to your centre before.

I just wanted to say that we had great weekend and I would add that we thought all your staff were so helpful and friendly, something we rarely find at other dive locations in the UK!

Your shuttle service drivers were brilliant, always willing to help where they could.

Had a great time in #wigwam for 3 days @NDAC_co_uk - service exceptional! Recommend highly!

Really enjoyed the dives today. Really good to have such a great centre on our doorstep.

You went out of your way to make us feel welcome and assist us in having a great time.

Really enjoyed the open water course (completed yesterday) and just wanted to say thanks to all at NDAC in particular to Kevin and the divemasters for their patience!

The wigwams are great, can't thank the staff enough as they were all so friendly and helpful (especially the van drivers).

The Cafe Bar is just right for surface interval time, infact I thought the whole centre is well thought out and perfect for divers, thoroughly impressed with all the facilities.

As for the diving....brilliant, so much to see down there at various depths, so it caters for every level of diver.

My boyfriend and I stayed in number 13 wigwam last night, I didn't get a chance to write in the guestbook so just wanted to say thank you for an absolutely wonderful stay - the wigwam was clean, spacious and cozy, the toilets and showers were spotless, view was beautiful, staff very friendly and had a delicious Sunday roast on arrival.

Me and my partner came along to give the Wire Zip Slide a go at the weekend, it was fantastic! - So good we both went twice. Great value for money and beautiful views over the water.

Cashless Swipe Membership Card system
Fantastic! Had heard this was coming, glad its arrived, will look forward to giving it a whirl shortly :)

Just had the best week here staying in the wigwams and diving... Great weather, great food, great diving and vis.

Everyone working there is really friendly as well, made us feel right at home!!! :)

Just wanted to thank everyone at NDAC for a great weekend - Chris, Libby, Ashley and everybody was so friendly and helpful! Great dive site!

Your team are amazing, parking so easy, diving so simple and the underwater attractions are brilliant!

Thanks so much Chris, Ashley and everyone for the best first day back to UK diving that I could have ever wished for. The only problem is that now I have to wait a whole week and a bit to come back ...

Thanks for great dive guys , its been a while since we came down ane we are very impressed with the new cafe bar . We will See you soon

Just spent a fabulous morning sat in the sunshine at The View Cafe - a real gem. Felt like I was on holiday!!

Its stunning! I'm so excited about our June trip now, wigwams reserved and a cafe bar too :-)

I have to say, I wasn't expecting much from the new café, having seen the old portacabins as a work in progress.

Myself and 12 of my diving mates came up to the dive site on Good Friday, the View Cafe Bar and the quality of the work is breathtaking. Well done to you all.

Sunday....April 1st.....Thanks from Dave & Bryan for sorting out leaking regs free of charge. Fabulous weather & two great 50M dives. Can't wait for new cafe & bar but will miss the "burger van"....

Loving #TheViewCafeBar @NDAC_co_uk great to have a 'local' I can walk too. Might become a regular!

@NDAC_co_uk @saltfree @samdive We came we saw we dived, 13 of us on Good Friday, what a fantastic Cafe/Bar, thank you for the investment :-)

Not far from us They have a very posh cafe just open & do a nice cuppa coffee :)

For those who haven't been, View cafe @NDAC_co_uk is the dogs danglies, especially when blowing a hoolie & p******g down!! Well done to NDAC!

Interesting visit to National Diving & Activity Centre, Chepstow today, including great lunch at their new cafe, The View

Fabulous service from the whole team in Chepstow! From fixing my kit for free, lending me kit as I'd forgotten my ankle weights, fills and advice, and topped off with a top notch double bacon & cheese burger, the service and facilities there is First Class!

Now if only I hadn't suffered a terminal Drysuit leak the day would have been perfect!

Just wanted to say my first trip to NDAC on Saturday was a totally awesome experience...

Thank you for making our first dive for some time, such a good experience. Your team is so friendly and helpful - we will be back!

Big thanks to the NDAC. Did my rescue course with Cardiff Scuba over the weekend, and we decided to stay in one of the Wigwams. They are brilliant! Very comfortable and spacious. With tea and coffee making facilities in the wigwam I was more than happy when I had to get up at 7am to prepare for my rescue course! Get up, drink coffee and walk down to my course, how easy do you want it! If you haven't stayed in one yet, give them a try! Well worth it!

I would just like to say a big thank you to all of the staff at NDAC on behalf of my buddy Bob and me.

We travelled from Peterborough to visited your centre on Sunday 26 October 2010.

We found all of the staff to be very friendly, chatty and helpful. When we had a piece of kit fail the guys in the shop were were only to happy to help out and loan kit to get us through our day. Other customers at the site all seemed to be friendly and helpful too. We will definately be returning, and hopefully with a larger group.

I've just got home from a great days diving at the NDAC and I'd like to say a big "Thank you" for the friendly help you gave us today. Between split wrist seals, cracked BCD inflators and

damaged zips, it was an unusually problematic day, to say the least!

I recently bought 2 cylinders from an internet dive shop (mention no names) and decided to take them for a test run.

After having them filled, the 12 litre O2 Clean cylinder was leaking from the neck!!

The young chappie from NDAC said that it was probably a wrong size O ring and would have a look for me. It was, and he fixed it for a fiver.

I know NDAC has come in for some critisism in the past, but I have been there several times and they have always been really good.

I've found the staff there exceedingly helpful and often do things way above what their job

technically is to assist someone.

We did 2 dives each, both were very enjoyable with visibility and temperature much better than I was fearing. NDAC is an excellent inland site.

Had a problem with my regs that needed some attention and a new o ring - staff at the shop we excellent and sorted the problem out quicky and with no charge. Many thanks for great service.

I tried out NDAC for the very first time in my 20 year diving career, yesterday.
The directions provided on the website were easy to follow; registration was painless and parking was easy.

Prices for gear in the on-site shop were very reasonable; the air-fills were around what I pay elsewhere and the mini-bus transfers were great fun! (I reckon they're in better condition than many in the Red Sea!!)

All of the staff were friendly, the viz was great, but most importantly there was plenty to see for all levels of diver

Just a note to say thanks for all your help last week when we visited your site.

Our jobs were made a lot easier through the co operation and help from all your team.

When we got out, the guy on the pontoon came over and had a very friendly chat with us to let us know about a new-ish (to us anyway) rule that yellow blobs should only be used in emergency, and as my mates blob span round he coud see yellow, red, yellow, red! He was very nice, and said if we used it again to let him know before we got it - absolutely fair enough. Was nice to know he was watching in all honesty - certain other more 'stoney' sites don't seem to have that level of surface supervision.

Recently, I was arranging another trip, and pointed out this rule to the others I was going with. In doing so, I could not find any reference to the rule on the NDAC website, so dropped a mail to the contact us address. I was pleasantly surprised to get a prompt reply with thanks, and that they would add the information to the site. Today I get a mail from the Web Designer and from Darren telling me the change has been added to the rules page and thanking me again. I have to say I was very impressed with all of this.

Coupled to this, the NDAC actually seem keen to develop their site (like the new concrete road, new plane and helicopter 'attractions' etc), which again makes a pleasant change to 'our stoney friends' in the north. The only other place with a smilar attitude seems to be Vobster, and guess which two sites most of my training will be at this spring? The new attractions make a change; very nice to see a new improvement every time we visit. The concrete road made for a much smoother ride to the pontoon, and I imagine must save you pounds in van tyres.

So, once agian, well done the NDAC. And no, I don't have any connection apart from as a happy customer.

I have just completed an AOW course with Lee Sutton and Dave Mager at the NDAC and I would just like to let you know my thoughts.

I thought the course was very professionally run, although very intensive and the knowledge great, it was also great fun.

Lee and Dave are great instructors and went above and beyond in their instruction. They both made me feel very confident but not complacent in my new found diving skills.

One of the key priorities with training divers at any level, from novice to technical is obviously safety with the need to construct an appropriate risk assessment for any dive site chosen.

Whilst the preference with diver training would be to use a training site as close to the conditions the trainee wishes to dive in post training, example Trimix divers would be best taught in the Ocean where factors such as weather and tides apply, At times a sheltered site for initial training or additional training or a good site to guarantee course completion in the case of unexpected poor weather.

Over the last few years at least one high quality inland site has been there for the professional instructor teaching in the 35m range, but a site with good conditions, surface facilities and high safety in the 35m plus range has been hard to find.

The National Diving & Activity Centre fulfils this requirement very well. The Safety features include waterside staff at all times on the Pontoon network that gives easy access to the variety of buoyed dive sites. The waterside support has radio contact with the main office and shop where rescue staff and equipment are available. There is also a RIB on site by the surface support shed on the pontoon to give fast response to all areas of the quarry.

Transport is supplied from the large car park for divers and equipment to the waterside where sack trolleys are available to transport equipment to the appropriate entry point.

As a professional instructor the staff went out of their way to accommodate my needs for meeting the safety and training needs of my students and I would not hesitate to use them again for training in the 6 to 80 m range.

...very safe and very well organized. It gave us a perfect place for testing the equipment up to -75m, and to repeat again and again all the skills in every condition. A highly recommended place for training."

Dr Jerome Meynie, deep cave explorer
www.snoopyloop.com

It was refreshing to see a genuine hospitality at Chepstow.... immensely friendly and helpful...One of those places where you feel 'at home'. You could see they had a heart in what they were doing."

Izzy Imset
Underwater Explorers, Portland

A dive site set up with divers in mind

Sport Diver Magazine
May 2003

This dive site has got to be the "Safest place to dive in the U.K.

Whilst teaching a novice diver the finer points of diving, he became separated from us in low visibility (due to recent adverse weather conditions). The plan was, "if we became separated, we would search for each other for one minute and if still separated, surface." Needless to say, this inevitably happened and we surfaced ahead of our novice.

Our novice was following diving procedure to the letter, by ascending slowly and monitoring his computer, compass and air, which left him around two minutes behind us. Within seconds, the safety officer, Mike,(I think) was on the case, radio at the ready, along with Jon the Landy driver, without being alerted by us, and comfortingly concerned for our novice.

Fortunately, our novice surfaced as planned, albeit two minutes behind us. We were concerned, but not over worried, because he had proved great competence to us with his diving, but the sheer vigilance of the safety crew amazed us.

"Well done guys!" We are well impressed and will be back.

Martin Versfeld

I do apologise for taking an age to contact you I was a student on an entry level trimix course run by Robinhood Watersports in Yorkshire.

Your help and friendliness was probably the best I have ever received in 20 years diving, it even started with help to contact local accommodation before we set out on our travels.

I will be visiting you again and have recommended you to many of the dive clubs in our area.

Keep up the good work and again many thanks.

Paul Gaunt
Thorne S.A.C Branch - Diving Officer

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Feedback and Customer Reviews