SELSEY
On a map of the South Coast of England, to the right (east) of the Isle of Wight you will see Chichester Harbour and a triangular piece of land that sticks out into the Channel. This is Selsey, with Selsey Bill being at the point of the triangle. This location report covers the area from the southern opening of Chichester Harbour to the holiday town of Bognor Regis, and includes Bracklesham Bay, the East and West Witterings, Selsey itself Website and Pagham.
The coastline of this area has eroded and changed greatly of the centuries. The beach is still being eroded despite the construction of a sea wall in the 1950s to protect the houses along the coast. The Romans lived and worked here, and remains and artefacts from their time are still to be found both above ground and underwater. The name Selsey is thought to be a derivation of Seal Island, and it would appear that the area was an island until the end of the 18th century. A Causeway on to the island was built in 1809, and the present day B2145 from Chichester to Selsey follows its original line.
On the western side of the town of Selsey, the West Sands Holiday Centre provides one of the largest caravan parks in Europe, accommodating up to 15,000 visitors from April to October, dwarfing the permanent population of 10,000. Its caravans supplement the many bed and breakfasts, guesthouses and hotels in the area, thus providing ample and varied accommodation for visiting divers. For non-divers there is a good beach at East Wittering, which has a car park and cafe. During the summer months the beach is popular, and the car park can become pretty busy.
The nearest population centre is the city of Chichester, directly to the north of Selsey, where there is the only Anglican cathedral in West Sussex, which dates from the 12th century. Chichester Harbour, to the west of the city, is the second largest marina in Britain, and is a popular yachting centre. There is an aviation museum at Tangmere Website, while Goodwood House Website
and the adjacent racing circuits (horses and cars) is an interesting place to visit, whether or not there is a special event taking place.
The naval port of Portsmouth Website is not far away to the west, across the county boundary in Hampshire. Here you will find a full range of entertainment and things to see, including HMS Victory. Local ferries run from here to the Isle of Wight, while their larger cousins plough the cross channel routes to both French and Spanish ports.
To the east of Selsey is the harbour area of Pagham, which is a natural lagoon that is a breeding ground for many uncommon sea birds and wild fowl. Further to the east is the holiday town of Bognor Regis, which attracts large numbers of summer visitors.
DIVE SITES
The area provides for a whole host of both scenic and wreck diving (a small selection of which are set out below), although the latter sites far outnumber the former, partly due to the influence of Second World War wrecks. However, the first site is considerably older:
HMS Hazardous: This is a protected wreck site, and can only be dived with the permission of the licence holder. Hazardous was originally a seventeenth-century French ship, which was captured by the Royal Navy and converted to fight the French. It is now unrecognisable as a wreck, but the licence holder has created an interesting "trail" which can be followed using a guide rope and underwater slates. Arrangements for the organised dives must be made via Wittering Divers who have a dive shop in East Wittering. The wreck is shallow, and poor weather will normally prevent diving, as visibility disappears.
Stonehenge Mark II: (50 41 48N; 01 52 13W) Further out from Bracklesham Bay is a site featuring a number of huge boulders, similar to those found at Stonehenge, on Salisbury Plain. There has been some speculation as to whether the stones came from the same place, in prehistoric times. There can be a great deal of marine life here, and tidal flow is generally not a consideration.
Mixon Hole: (50 42 20N; 00 46 20W) Another site for lovers of ancient history, but one at which a lot more care is required. The maximum depth into the bottom of the hole is 28m, where divers will find large stone balls that may have fired from a catapult, or similar Roman weapon. The site should only be dived at slack water (2 hours before low water) outside of which severe tides can cause real difficulties. There have been several fatalities at the site.
HMS Prince Leopold: (50 34 58N; 00 55 87W) This 2938 ton Belgian steamer was mined and damaged in September 1940, but was then repaired before being torpedoed by a German U-boat in July 1944. It now lies in 30m of water and is upright with a list to starboard. Please note that there may be deteriorating live ammunition in racks at the stern.
The Far Mulberry: (50 44 38N; 00 42 19W) The area around Pagham Harbour contains a number of wrecks of the artificial harbours that were constructed for the D-Day landings at the end of the last war. The most dived of these is called the Far Mulberry, as it is two miles from shore, but in only 9m of water. This is one of the largest of the mulberry units, being 204 ft long, 56 ft wide and 60 ft high. This is reckoned to be one of the best dives on the South Coast for marine life. There are usually shoals of fish around and amongst the wreck.
Basil: (50 35 00N; 00 41 00W) Built in Belfast in 1895, Bail is a 3220 ton steamer, which was requisitioned by the Navy at the beginning of the Great War. She was fitted with a gun, and carried troops and munitions. She was sunk in November 1917, and lies in 35m. She is badly damaged, but still has her gun.
Information for each of these sites, and the numerous others in the area can be found in Kendall McDonald's splendid book in the Diver Guide series, Dive Sussex
GENERAL INFORMATION
Standard Port
Portsmouth (subtract 5 minutes for Selsey Bill)
Weather and Tides
The south coast generally has warmer weather, particularly during the summer months, than the rest of the UK, when light sea breezes can be perfect for inshore diving. However, the weather along the coast can change quickly, and gales are frequent from October through to March. Most winds come from the western quadrant (south-west to north-west).
Tidal flows can vary considerably from almost nothing to several knots, depending on the site, and the state of the tide. It is recommended that tidal information forms part of your pre-dive trip planning.
Maps and Charts
Ordnance Survey Explorer 120 (1:25,000) Chichester, South Harting and Selsey
Chart 1652 Selsey Bill to Beachy Head
Accommodation
Visit Southern England website: Here
E-Mail to: enquiries@tourismse.com
Launch Sites
There are various launch sites in Chichester Harbour. Dell Quay and Bosham are usable at high tide, while Itchenor can be used at any state of the tide.
There is a launch ramp at East Wittering, although it is steep and can be difficult to use. The one at Bracklesham is easier for small boats, using the resident tractor, for which there is a charge.
There is a launch site with associated free car parking at East Beach Selsey, and another at West Beach, which has an excellent ramp, although parking can be difficult.
Charter Boats
There is a good list of charter boats, as well as dive sites Here.
Air Stations
Selsey:
Mulberry Divers
Orchard Parade, East Beach, Selsey, West Sussex.
Tel: 01243 601000
Website
Wittering
Wittering Divers,
12 Oakfield Road,
East Wittering, West Sussex
Tel: 01243 673 494
Website
Useful Contact Details
Selsey HM Coastguard: 01243 602274 (ansaphone)
Selsey Bill Sub-Aqua Club: 01243 771403 (Graham Watson)
Tourist Information: Website
SE England page
UK main page
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