7DaysinParadise
Diving => Diving => Topic started by: on September 17, 2005, 09:45:00 AM
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I have just got back from 4 fantastic days diving in the Irish Sea. Launching from Neyland, Pembrokeshire, this for me offers the best diving sites to equal anywhere in the world.
This is the fourth year running that we have made this trip, and each year has proved to get better each time.
The type of diving that the Irish Sea offers is not everyones cup of tea, the sea has a 4 foot swell on the best days, and can become very changeable at very short notice. It's always best to get yourself a good rib and an experienced skipper to take you diving due to the unpredictable conditions. But once you are out in the ocean, there are some fantastic wrecks to see and the marine life is very unique.
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/Wossa/f7e7fe63.png)
The wrecks are usually on the deep side, but if you do not mind clocking up some deco time, they are well worth a visit. The wrecks are not often dived and there are still port holes, brass and bells (if you are very lucky) to be brought up. So a good sized lifting bag is a definate must to take with you.
The water is very clean, as this area is a National Nature Reserve, the viz can be very dark at a relatively low level, but the marine life is prolific.
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/Wossa/13552fe3.png)
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/Wossa/f5d230f0.png)
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The seals are one of most fantastic mammal to join you on a dive and like nothing better than pulling at your fins and trying to get you to play with them. On this particular dive we were also joined by a pod of dolphins but they are too quick to get a picture. The dolphins were naturally attracted to the bow of our rib as we were motoring out in the open sea, and was fascinating to see them criss cross in front of our rib at speed.
[img alt= - ]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/Wossa/1b8dfee6.png)
The wrecks is what we originally come for and you will not be disapointed. There is every type of vessel to explore, in outstanding condition considering the age. If you get yourself a good skipper who can supply you with some history of the wreck you are going to dive, and can let you know what to look out for, this makes for a far more interesting dive.
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/Wossa/e7b0f143.png)
The pictures are not very good as the light levels are never ideal, and are taken on my Sea & Sea 35mm camera, as my digital would not be able to cope with the conditions.
The cost of diving here is not particulary expensive, and worked out to be around £100 per diver per day. This did include all your gas blends, whatever mix you required, the rib and skipper for the day, (we were out at sea for 10 hours a day) and clocked up many nautical miles. Also this included, our accomadation which over looked the beach from the cliffs of Pembroke. Really good value and some outstanding dives to be had.
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Wow!
This looks incredible! I'll be bringing my dive gear, next trip to Europe, so you'll just have to do it again, to take out a newbie!
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Gambitt, it would be a pleasure mate. Don't even worry about lugging all your kit over, we would always have enough spare kit for you too use.
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Wow, Wossa, Fantastic photos. I have trouble doing a decent snapshot above sea level. To do these underwater is really impressive. Thanks for sharing them.
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That looks and sounds like some incredible diving Wossa, I love the fact that the seals play with your fins! :D
Picture #4, is that an Airplane Cockpit? Kinda looks like it from the shape of the windows.
Thank you so much for sharing.