Wales
From Chepstow in the South, Via The Gower Peninsula, Cardigan Bay and Anglesey, to Colwyn Bay in the North, Wales's spectacular coastline and rugged beauty offers some of the least explored areas in the United Kingdom. Visit the Pembrokeshire National Park and Skomer Island and you can see one of the largest colonies of seals in the UK. Tour Anglesey and discover unknown wrecks along its coast. In Cardigan Bay you could enjoy wonderful encounters with Dolphins, Whales and Sharks. Visibility can be as good as you get abroad, reaching up to 20 metres. Wales's temperate waters are a wreck divers paradise, with over 500 listed wrecks in Pembrokeshire alone.
When to dive
The effects of the Gulf Stream mean that the weather in Wales is generally mild. Sea temperatures can reach over 20°C in the summer months and cool gradually to around 13°C by November. In the winter months water temperatures can be as low as 6 - 10°C and unreliable weather conditions can make diving impossible. By the traditional start of the UK 'diving season' in April temperatures can be around 10 - 12°C. An Easterly wind at anything above force 4 can make diving in this part of the world very difficult.
Where to Dive
Diving in South Wales is somewhat limited. It is possible to dive the Island of Lundy but it is a long trip. There are a number of Dive Schools in the Cardiff & Swansea areas but the majority of diving is done at Inland sites such as the National Diving Centre. Situated just outside Chepstow (though actually in Gloucestershire), the National Diving Centre is situated at a former limestone quarry called "Dayhouse quarry". It has been flooded for some 7 years since quarrying ceased. The facility provides year round diving in generally good visibility. With depths ranging from 8 - 80 metres the site is useful for the full range of diver training.
Perhaps the best diving to be found in Wales is around the 180 miles of Pembrokeshire coastline, where you will find many places only accessible by boat. The area is a beautiful both above and below the water, with an abundance of marine life. You will find seals, dolphins, sunfish, triggerfish, seahorses and even the odd shark and whale have been seen. Once you are past Tenby, the visibility improves dramatically. Whilst average visibility is around 8 metres it is possible to get up to 20 metres around Skomer Island. The Lucy is the most dived wreck in the area with its deck at 32 metres and dropping down to 40 metres over the side. There are a few places where you are able to penetrate her. The size of the wreck allows her to be dived without incurring huge decompression penalties. Whilst this is a fairly advanced dive, there are numerous opportunities for less experienced divers, for example at Rye Rock, North Haven on Skomer Island and at High Point, just east of Martin's Haven. If weather conditions are not favourable it is usually possible to dive inside Milford Haven. Within the Haven there are numerous wrecks and when visibility is good they can be a real treat. The Dakotian is one of the best wrecks around when you have the visibility. There are many places to swim through and the rudder is huge and well worth seeing. Other wrecks are the Caroline, Beehar, Greek, Landing Craft, Collier, Thor, HMS Barking, Highland Home (30 metres), Sub, Martrona, Faraday, Loch Shiel and a few more.
There is new eco-friendly bunkhouse accommodation for divers available at Upper Neeston Lodges Here
Once past Fishguard on the northern coastline of Pembrokeshire the visibility is not as good. Travelling further along the coastline is does start to pick up towards Cardigan Bay, where you will find home to many dolphins. There are however not many dive charters operating along this stretch of water, even when you reach the Llyn Peninsular they are quite remote. It is not until you come into Anglesey that you will find a few small dive charters.
Anglesey features some of the most dramatic coastline to be found anywhere in the United Kingdom. Rugged granite topography and secluded bays backed by the mountains of Snowdonia make for stunning views. The panorama also extends underwater to produce exciting reefs, pinnacles and drop offs. Anglesey has become a very popular wreck diving location, the whole area has yielded many fascinating sites and most of them are in depths up to 20 metres and just a short boat ride away from launch sites such as Trearddur Bay and Holyhead. The ports of Holyhead and Liverpool were the focus of intense shipping activities during the two world wars and many shipping casualties occurred in the area, including the wrecks, Lady Meath, Vignes and Durbent. The numerous coves around Holy Island make for ideal shore dives that are protected from the often-fierce currents offshore.
Further information
Information on diving in Wales www.divewales.co.uk
Information on Anglesey Dive Anglesey
Pembrokeshire information www.dive-pembrokeshire.com
Information on above-water attractions and accommodation www.visitwales.com
BSAC branches in Wales www.bsac.org/branches/wales.htm
UK DIVE GUIDES
Books and guides to help you plan, and to take with you - buy on-line.
|
|
 |
Skomer, Pembroke by Carol Dale
Littlehaven, Pembroke by Phil Berry & Andy Martin
Diving Anglesey by Michelle Pryke
Cruising the Copper Coast ,Anglesey by Kay Rainsley
Club Trip to Anglesey by Jenny Greenwood and Tim Bohr
Training Dives at Holyhead by Graham Bowers
Pembroke - Falling over the Edge of the World by Dave Barratt
A Club Trip To Pembrokeshire by Jenny Bassett
National Dive Centre, Chepstow by Clive Bowen
NDC, Chepstow , A Change of Opinion by Bill Quinn
Cavern Diving with Farrworld, South Wales by Darren Astles
|
