scapa dive boats

[chris mehegan]

im plaining a trip to scapa any dive boats/charters to avoid???
any i should have done? comments/help would be greatfull
chris

[benpanter]

im plaining a trip to scapa any dive boats/charters to avoid???
any i should have done? comments/help would be greatfull

If you're only planning on diving the classics I'd recommend B&B and a big day boat - the guys I've used in the past were the dive cellar who run the John L - great boat, great accomodation.

I've done a liveaboard there too. Great for getting out of the flow but the accomodation was small and smelled a bit rank. Horses for courses though - the diving out the flow is some of the best I've done in the UK.

HTH,

Ben.

[nick kay]

Hi Ben

"the diving out the flow is some of the best I've done in the UK"

A group of 24 of us are going to Scapa next July - 2 Liveaboards...

What dives would you recommend outside of the "Flow"?

[Ben Field]

im plaining a trip to scapa any dive boats/charters to avoid???
any i should have done? comments/help would be greatfull

Well it is very much horses for courses, it depends what you want...

Personnally I like the livaboards as you can lay-in of a morning as the boat steams out to the wrecks (or out of the flow) and you don't HAVE to go back to Stromness every night.

Choose a boat that suits your needs, some have haskel boosters for quick nitrox filling others don't, some provide breakfasts some don't (Food on the Jean Elaine is legendary) Some have large open decks, some don't (One boat has a completely enclosed kitting up area! Nice in the winter, not so nice in the summer, or if you get sea sick!)

Some skippers are happy to do more than two dive sites per day, we often get our prefered boat to visit two sites morning and afternoon so we get a choice, there is plenty of time and little tide so its easily done.

Either way I don't think you'll regret it, the diving in Scapa is superb and the typical UK diver should be able to live with the boat or B&B they choose even if its abit grim.... a drift through the Tabarka, penetrating into the engine room of the Kronprinz or swimming through the Dresden will make it all seem worthwhile :-)

BEN

[benpanter]

Hi Ben

"the diving out the flow is some of the best I've done in the UK"

A group of 24 of us are going to Scapa next July - 2 Liveaboards...

What dives would you recommend outside of the "Flow"?

Hmmm... I don't have my log book here but the names that stick in my mind are things like the Enterprise, a small fishing boat with exceptional vis. The boom boat at the eastern enterance is pretty cool, lots of good scenic stuff too. There is a wreck which is wedged upright in a big cave too, but I've never managed to dive it. We basically did a tour round the North of the island, diving whenever and whatever the weather allowed.

Sule Stack is meant to be pretty amazing too, but I've not been out that far.

Ben

[RichN]

im plaining a trip to scapa any dive boats/charters to avoid???
any i should have done? comments/help would be greatfull
chris

If you fancy a liveaboard - (boat based at Stromness and berths there in the eveing most nights) I would recommend the Halton. The boat is the usual converted trawler, but is a good size with 6 twin bunk rooms and two loos. It has plenty of room and was re-furbished only a couple of years ago. Bob Anderson, the skipper is a diamond and is only too willing to listen to what you want to do.

I believe the Halton is advertised in the back of the dive magazines.

Good Luck.
Rich.