Swanage
Swanage lies in a sheltered bay on the beautiful Isle of Purbeck. The area has miles of footpaths, bridleways and green lanes making it ideal to explore on foot, by pedal cycle or on horseback. The beach at Swanage, with its gently shelving sandy shore and clear water, has won the prestigious European Blue Flag award on many occasions. Monkey World (http://www.monkeyworld.co.uk) and the Bovington tank museum (www.tankmuseum.co.uk) are just a few minutes drive away, or you could take a trip on the famous Swanage railway. The area has something for everyone.
Amongst divers Swanage is best known for its pier and for the wreck of the SS Kyarra, which is probably, the most dived wreck in Dorset. Swanage's sheltered location, easy access and shallow water makes it a great favourite as a training location for dive schools from all over the South coast. This and the huge numbers of divers who visit to dive the many wrecks in the area mean that the pier is often crowded and parking can be a problem, especially on a sunny bank holiday weekend.
Divers should check tide times carefully as some very strong currents can make diving hazardous in the area. On a high Spring tide slack water can be very short indeed. This can make it almost impossible to ascend a shotline. Skippers often prefer you to put up a delayed SMB at the end of the dive and drift off the wreck whilst doing your stops. Obviously this makes it imperative to agree a dive plan with your skipper and to stick to the plan! The short slack times often mean that wrecks like the Kyarra are very crowded, great care must be taken when deploying shot or anchor lines if other divers are already in the water.
Swanage Pier (SZ 036 787)
This is nice easy shore dive with easy entry and exit. The depth, up to 6 meters at high tide, makes this an ideal dive for inexperienced divers, but care must be taken as lots of small boats use the pier. A surface marker buoy is strongly recommended. More experienced divers might like to try looking at this dive as a night dive. The pier is blessed with prolific animal life. The legs are encrusted with anemones, hydroids, bryozoans and tunicates. Crabs and lobster can be seen in abundance, small bream, topknots and scorpion fish can be seen, crevices will yield a tompot or black-faced Blennie and with a bit of luck scorpion fish, john dory & even an occasional trigger fish can be seen.
Tanville Ledges 50 37.05N; 01 56.05W
This is a series of 3m high reefs which make for excellent scenic diving. Lots of small fish as well as the usual lobsters and crabs can be seen. The depth varies from 7 to 10 meters. Care must be taken at high tide as an ebbing tide generates a very fast drift dive! A DSMB is essential.
Perveril Ledge 50 36.38N; 01 56. 00W
This reef consists of a number of parallel walls of rock rising from an otherwise flat seabed. The walls of rock force huge currents of water upwards making surface conditions treacherous in the race. This does however make a truly exhilarating drift dive! Depths vary from 10 - 23 metres and visibility can reach 15 metres in summer.
Kyarra 50 34.90N; 01 56.59W
This is without doubt Dorset's most dived wreck, and with good reason for this is an exciting and advanced dive. She can only be dived at slack water and is often busy at this time. Outside of slack water currents can reach 4 knots! Kyarra was torpedoed in 1918 whilst on a voyage from London to Sydney. The wreckage lies at a depth of 30 meters but in places rises up to 12 meters from the seabed, it is over 400 feet long. Champagne, wine, vinegar and perfume bottles, complete with contents are frequently found. In recent years the wreck has given up gold & silver pocket watches and exquisite silver purses.
Carantan 50 34.95N; 01 56.18W
This French submarine chaser sank in December 1943 with the loss of 17 lives. She is about 120 feet long and lies at 32 Metres. Although she is well broken now this is a very interesting dive with lots to see. Ammunition boxes and depth charges can still sometimes be found and there seems to large lobsters in every crevice. Lying very close to the Kyarra this wreck is often neglected in favour of it's illustrious neighbour. This in itself could make it an attractive dive on a busy weekend.
Safari (50 25.34N; 02 02.54W
This 'S' class British submarine lies at a depth of 42 M and rises about 5M off the seabed. The conning tower has been removed exposing access to the interior. Penetration is likely to be difficult due to the very narrow entrance and the large colonies of Conger eels! Apparently she makes a splendid dive.
A wealth of information on Dorset dive sites can be found in John & Vicki Hinchcliffes book 'Dive Dorset (underwater world pub. ISBN 0 946020 26 4)
Weather and Tides
Tidal range is between 0.1 meters (neaps) and 3 meters (springs). Currents can nevertheless be strong and most dive sites are only accessible at slack water. For offshore sites slack water usually occurs one hour before high water Dover or 5 hours after high water Dover, but you should check with admiralty charts for specific dive sites. Closer to shore there is considerable local variation.
In Swanage Bay there is slack water at High and Low water Swanage. The tidal flow is usually in the opposite direction to the main tidal flow further out to sea.
There is an area of disturbed water South West of Swanage Pier. Small boats should avoid this, as the water surface can be extremely rough. The area is clearly marked by cardinal buoys.
Tidal predictions are available at (http://www.ybw.com/weather/home.html )
The inshore forecast for the area is at (http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast/inshore/regional_forecast.shtml?7 )
Launch Site
Follow signs to the pier. When you arrive at the pier enter the large car park inland from the pier. There is a launch fee that also includes parking for a boat trailer but not for your car. You need to buy a ticket from the pay and display machine. The slip is usable at all states of the tide. Care must be taken when manoeuvring boats near the pier, as there are often divers in the water underneath or around the pier.
Local Regulations
There is a speed restriction of 5 knots in Swanage Bay. Yellow buoys mark the boundary of this area.
Lulworth Gunnery Range
This includes the coastline from Lulworth Cove to St Aldhelm's Head and extends six miles out to sea. When the range is in use all boats are excluded from this area. Firing times are advertised in local papers and broadcast on local radio stations and on VHF radio. Red flags are flown on the cliffs to warn boats. Range safety boats patrol the area.
Accommodation
Limes Hotel, 48 Park Road, Swanage, BH19 2AE, 01929 422664 www.limeshotel.demon.co.uk
Oxford Hotel, 3/5 Park Road, Swanage, BH19 2AA, 01929 422247
The Castleton Hotel, 1 Highcliffe Road, Swanage, BH19 1LW 01929 423972
Youth Hostel, Cluny Crescent, Swanage, BH19 2BS 01929 422113
Further details on accommodation in the area can be found at
www.virtual-swanage.co.uk
or from Swanage Tourist Info Office Tel: 01929 422885
Admiralty Charts
2610 - Bill of Portland to Anvil Point
2172 - Swanage Bay.
Ordnance Survey Map 195, Bournemouth, Purbeck and Surrounding Area.
Useful links
Local information including maps, weather reports, accommodation, car parks etc.
http://www.virtual-swanage.co.uk
Swanage pier
Dive shops, gas & Charter boats
The most convenient source of air is 'Divers Down' located on the pier itself. There is a small charge to enter the pier. The shop was established in 1958 and claims to be the oldest dive school in Britain. This can be very busy at times so good planning is essential. The shop will stay open late or open early on request to meet your gas needs.
Phone 01929 423565
http://www.diversdown.tv
If you are travelling from the east Poole may be a convenient stop for your gas requirements.
Forward diving in Poole can supply air, Nitrox and trimix This is situated in Brays boatyard next to the large Peugeot garage at the west end of the quay. Tel 01202 677128
www.forwarddiving.co.uk
Dorset Diving Services is situated a little out of Poole 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. www.dorsetdiving.co.uk Tel. 01202 580065
Swanage Boat Charters operates two boats:
Mary Jo, an Offshore 32 that visits local sites.
Sidewinder, a 33' berry boat that visits sites further from Swanage.
Contact phone 01929 427064 http://www.kyarra.com
Pete Williams operates Swanage diver An ex RNLI 40 Ft rib fitted with a diver lift.. www.swanagediver.co.uk
LOCAL BSAC BRANCHES
Isle of Purbeck Sub Aqua Club Contact Mr IGW Ollet tel: 01202 624850
Lulworth & Winfrith SAC. www.wsac.btinternet.co.uk
Contact Tim Allen Tel 01929 472027 or tim.allen@ecqc.com
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SW England page
Swanage Bay
Seen from the pier
Swanage Railway
Swanage Pier
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