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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.
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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. |
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) |
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. |
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. |
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 Diving Officer
(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 (senile) citizen Phil the Flute |
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Gary Hortop wondering why he bought a Suunto Computer. |
Our Vice President 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 the tractor. |
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