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.
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.
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.
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.