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Diving
around the
Pembrokeshire Coastline
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As
a club based in South Wales we are very fortunate
to live close enough to dive around the Pembrokeshire
Coast, the only coastal national park in the UK
and an area of "outstanding natural beauty"
which also incorporates the Skomer Marine Nature
Reserve.
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| Pembrokeshire
is also an area rich in wildlife with many species
of birds and mammals to be found. Some of the offshore
islands are famous for their bird colonies such
as the Gannets of Grassholme and the Manx Shearwaters
of Skomer. Many of the more remote beaches and islands
become home to seals during the breeding season
and dolphins and porpoises are often sighted in
the area. |
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As
well as the breathtaking coastal scenery, Pembrokeshire's
underwater environment is also very scenic and
abundant with a diversity of marine life. The
strong sea currents which race around this stretch
of coastline carry food and nutrients to ensure
a healthy growth of both plants and animals within
this marine environment.
With
many wrecks in the area for divers to explore
and underwater visibility up to 15 metres this
area is a superb venue for sports divers.
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When
diving in the area, we base ourselves at the West
Wales Diving Centre at Hasguard Cross which is
located on the Haverforwest to Dale road (B4327)
and near to Little Haven and Broad Haven. We keep
our club boats and 4WD here and launch from local
sites such as Broad Haven and Little Haven in
St. Bride's Bay and Dale and Gelliswick in Milford
Haven.
From
these launch sites we can reach many of our favourite
dive locations at any state of the tide and in
almost any weather conditions.
The following links show maps of the launch areas
and popular diving areas:
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| There
are literally dozens of excellent dive sites around
this area of coast, information on which can be
obtained from the West Wales Diving Centre. Some
of the more famous dive sites are shown on the map
below. |
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| The
West Wales Diving Gallery |
During the diving season the boats are kept in
the boatyard at West Wales Divers. |
The boats being prepared and
checked out before use. |
When they are ready they cane be hitched up
and towed to the chosen launch site. |
The larger boats are quite heavy and require a four
wheel drive vehicle to tow them. |
The outboard engines are large and powerful so that
the
boats can carry us at speed to the various dive
sites. |
After the divers have suited up
the dive gear is then loaded on to the boats.
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We usually use a tractor to tow the boats down
the beach to the sea and launch them. |
Sometimes we use
four wheel drive vehicles. |
Final checks are
carried out on the beach. |
Using a tractor for launching and recovery
makes life a lot easier. (an awful lot easier)
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Once the boats are in the water
the engines are started and warmed up |
Somebody stays in the water to hold the boat steady
while everybody else climds aboard. |
The powerful outboard engines allow us to
travel quickly to the chosen dive site. |
The boats can carry eight divers with ease and we
usually take more than one boat on a normal dive
day. |
Sometimes we take all three boats. |
The Hen & Chicks
One of our favourite dive sites
a site with spectacular marine life |
The view from the other side. |
Hen and Chicks is usually diveable in bad weather
when other more exposed sites are inaccessible.
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Stack Rocks (west side)
another popular dive site |
Brian Goffee as boat cover |
Skomer Island
Famous for the Skomer Marine
Nature Reserve |
One of the boats anchored
off the north wall of Skomer. |
Grassholme Island (birdshit island)
Owned by the RSPB and
home to a huge Gannet Colony |
Some good diving is to found
around this island. |
One of the main drawbacks to diving here is the
terrific pong that comes from the gannet colony.
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The Smalls Lighthouse
Home to many seals and at the furthest limit of
our
club boats. There are several superb dive sites
out here
but due to its remote location, it can only be visited
during periods of calm weather. |
The Club President
(Peter Rees) |
Our equipment officer Billy Whizz
and The club treasurer Jeff Canning
(a pair of real crooks) |
Dicky Taylor (club fashion guru) |
Guess how much I paid for this? |
Our senior citizen Phil the Flute |
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Gary Hortop wondering why he bought a Suunto Computer.
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Merville Burrows
(the bearded wonder) |
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Divers kitting up on a crowded boat. |
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An afternoon in late summer. |
Going ashore for lunch. |
Heading for home. |
Recovering the boat with a tractor. |
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