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Poole, Dorset
A bustling working quay, the best beaches in England, a stunning natural harbour and a wealth of great dive sites make Poole a natural choice for divers and non-divers alike.
Since the 16th century ships from Europe, the Channel Islands and across the world have berthed at Poole quay to disgorge cargoes of wine, fruit, oil & canvas and to take on beer, lead, cloth, tin & pottery. The Wool House, which stored wool & cloth awaiting export is now a very interesting maritime museum, whilst the old customs house is a pleasant bar restaurant. The whole area around the quay is busy with bars, café’s and restaurants where one can while away an hour gazing wistfully at the multi million pound Sunseeker powerboats tied alongside the quay. There are also pretty views over the marina and the famous Brownsea Island one of many small islands within the confines of the harbour. Regular boats leave from the quayside to allow you to visit the National Trust owned Island. The wonderful blue flag beaches at Sandbanks are just a few minutes drive away. The three miles of beach are sifted and cleaned twice a day and activity zones ensure that sunbathers, swimmers, jet skiers and windsurfers can all enjoy the beach in safety. For the young and young at heart the bustling nightlife of Bournemouth is only a few miles away.
Further afield the New Forest; The Jurassic Coast, Monkey World and The Bovington Tank Museum are all worth a visit.
Outside the harbour, a little further offshore is a wonderland of superb dive sites.
Diving information
The maritime traditions of the area means that a large number of exciting deep water wrecks are within easy travelling distance of Poole. Many of these are casualties of two world wars including victims of the German air assault during the Battle of Britain when shipping in Poole Bay and the Isle of Wight were targeted. Many of the deeper wrecks in the area are lightly dived and some are as yet unidentified.
There really is something for all levels of diving experience in the area. Most of the local boat skippers will be only too happy to discuss your needs and suggest suitable sites. There are simply too many sites in the area to list them all! The area of Poole bay (between Handfast point & the Isle of Wight) is largely sand and gravel. This of course can mean variable visibility, particularly after strong Southerly winds. On the plus side the sandy bottom often means that wrecks are teeming with wildlife. Water temperatures can reach as high as 20C in summer and visibility can often be in the 10 – 15 metre range. Variety being the spice of life you can dive reefs, wrecks, aircraft & even tanks from Poole. The suggestions below are a very small sample of the available dives.
A wealth of information on Dorset Dive sites can be gleaned from John & Vicki Hinchcliffe's book ‘Diver Dorset’ (underwater world pub. ISBN 0 946020 26 4).Dive Sites
Valentine Tanks
(50 40.08N; 01 54.86W - 50 40.23N; 01 54 75W - 50 40.48N; 01 54.62W - 50 39.74N; 01 54 19W - 50 40.44N; 01 53.91W - 50 39.47N; 01 53.41W50 41.50N; 01 50.28W)
The development of amphibious tanks in 1942 has provided Poole with a convenient and unusual diving site. The tanks were cleared with explosives in 1989 but the remains, which lie in about 9 meters of water, form havens for many fish, conger eels, crabs and lobster. The tanks can be a little difficult to locate but local skippers will drop you on them.
Aircraft (50 36.70N; 01 46.79W)
Thought to be a WW2 Halifax Bomber this wreck was discovered by Bournemouth and Poole BSAC in 1975. Depth to the seabed is about 25 Meters.
Avanti (50 29.90N – 01 55 .03W)
A Danish steamship sunk by a German torpedo in February 1918. 22 of her 24-man crew perished. Avanti is over 270 feet long and is not heavily dived, in large part due to the fact that she lies only half a mile from the heavily dived Aparima. She is largely upright and stands 8 meters proud from the 42-metre seabed. The collapse of the midships section means that the boilers and engine can be seen.
Aparima (50 29.40N – 01 55.00W)
This cargo and passenger liner measures over 400 feet long and lays at 42 metres, though the bow is only 31 M. She is largely intact with many portholes still in place. The ship was a victim of a German torpedo in 1917. Visibility on this site can be superb.
Borgny (50 35.44N – 01 41.64W)
Another victim of German torpedoes the Borgny was for many years thought to be the Asborg. She was an 1150-ton Norwegian merchantman, over 200 feet long. She lies at 33 meters, but stands about 5 –6 metres proud. The stern is upside down and the propeller & rudder make a great photo opportunity.
Venezuela (50 36.60N – 01 43.60W)
An Argentine owned ship sunk by torpedo in 1918. She is about 200 feet long and sits upright at about 28 metres. Although she has now sunk into the gravel seabed she still sits about 4 metres proud. A really interesting dive on a wreck, which is teeming with wildlife, including dozens of large congers.
Weather & tides
Most of the sites accessible from Poole are tidal in nature and some of the wrecks are subject to strong currents. For the sake of safety dives should be conducted at slack water. Slack is one hour before and five hours after slack water Plymouth.
Tidal predictions
Poole is blessed with a generally mild climate; the influence of the Gulf Stream ensures that sea temperatures rarely fall much below 9 or 10°C. Strong winds from the south can reduce visibility dramatically and make diving difficult on many offshore sites.
Inshore forecast Selsey Bill to Lyme Regis
Admiralty Charts
2611 – Poole Harbour & approaches
2175 – Poole Bay
2172 – Swanage & Studland Bay
Launching.
There are a fair number of launching sites in the area but do be aware that the use of the club rib may not be suitable for some of the offshore sites. It will be much safer and more comfortable to use one of the many charter boats.
Launch sites are available at:
Knoll Car park Studland Bay (OS SZ 035 834).
This involves taking the ferry from Sandbanks to Studland. There can be very long traffic queues in this area in summer. 90 Minute waits for the very are not unusual on hot days!
Shell Bay marine centre (SZ 035 865)
A small boatyard at Sandbanks peninsula.
Rockley Point (Free Launching SZ 983 905)
This is on the Hamworthy side of Poole lifting bridge near to Rockley Sands Holiday Park. Launching here involves a long boat trip to the open sea.
Baiter Park (SZ 021 901)
Probably the best launch point in the area. Simply follow the signs from Poole quay or from the Dolphin shopping centre roundabout. There is a large a car park right next to the slipway.
Dive shops, gas and charter boats.
There are a number of very good dive operations in Poole. The nearest to the quay is:
Forward diving. This is situated in Brays boatyard next to the large Peugeot garage at the west end of the quay. You can get air, Nitrox or Trimix as well as a great range of equipment & spares. IANTD, PADI & BSAC courses available.
Dorset Diving Services is situated a little out of town at 7 West Howe Ind Est., Elliott RD, Kinson. This is on the main road into Poole from Ringwood. Again Air, Nitrox & Trimix are available.
Diving Leisure Unlimited is a very well regarded PADI diving school who can provide air and a wide range of courses.
Dave Saywell of James Alexander Diving is one of the most knowledgeable skippers in the area and you can get air from the well-stocked shop as well. Dave can be contacted at 01202 743925 or enquiries@jadiving.co.uk
There are number of comfortable & well-equipped charter boats in the area. All have good skippers who will discuss your diving needs and put you on the best sites in the area.
BeoWulf is skippered by Pete Gough. Pete has been skippering boats since the 1970’s and has a huge amount of experience in the area. Pete can be contacted on 07836 548554 or info@BeowulfPoole.co.uk.
Big Dinghy is skippered by John Sturch who has twenty years experience of the area as diver & skipper. John can be contacted on 01202 680965 or e-mail bigdinghy@freeuk.com
John Stevenson is the skipper of Blue Duo. John can be contacted on 01202 675738 or e-mail info@poolecharter.co.uk
How to get here
Most of the charter boats leave from the quay, often from customhouse steps:
Follow A31 to Wimborne and Merley Roundabout
Take the A349 to Poole (signed Ferry Port)
Follow A349 down to Poole bridge
DON'T GO OVER THE BRIDGE
Turn left along Poole Quay
Look out for the Customs House (see photo above)
Park and unload in the unloading bays
If you happen to be leaving from Fisherman’s steps simply follow the quay to the Thistle hotel, unload your gear on the dockside and park in the hotel car park. (£4 per day). Other parking locations are on the map above.
Accommodation
As Poole is very much a tourist town, there is a plentiful supply of accommodation to suit all budgets. The local Tourist Information office has lists of local B&Bs. But don't leave it to the last minute, as the best B&Bs get booked up! There are also a number of reasonably priced chain hotels like Holiday Inn Express, Travel Inn & Premiere Lodge all of which are convenient for town.
Tourist Information
Poole Tourism
Enefco House
Poole Quay
Poole, Dorset
BH15 1HJ
01202 253253
http://www.pooletourism.com/
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