Shore diving North/West Wales?

[scuale]

We're looking as a club to organise a trip around the Snowdon area, does anyone have any recommendations as to the best shore dive sites in the area.

I've been looking at Anglessey and wondered if anyone could point me into the direction of some good sites.

Paul

[GaryC]

We're looking as a club to organise a trip around the Snowdon area, does anyone have any recommendations as to the best shore dive sites in the area.

I've been looking at Anglessey and wondered if anyone could point me into the direction of some good sites.

Paul
Our club has done the Trededur Bay (opposite the Dive shop) shore dive. I was not impressed with it. Ended up being very difficult. DSMB ran out horizontal due to the current. Getting out was very difficult.

Also found Anglesey a bit lacking in facilities.

We now tend to stick with stuff round Caernarfon.

Trefor Pier (about 8 miles down the coast from Caernarfon) is quite good as long as there is no wind. Great for OD as its only 6 metres deep.

Vivian Quarry (Llanberis) is ok if you have never done it. Also good for air fills.

Dorothea (Talysarn) can be outstanding. Viz last week was 20 metres plus. This usually gets much worst as we approach Spring/Summer.
[BSAC do not condone diving there]

Gary

[Gordon]

Trefor Pier is very good.
Porth Ysgaden is pretty good and is in Chris Holden's book - there are a few others in there. Unfortunately I haven't got it in front of me - but I can remember:
- one described as very kelpy by the sewage pipe, which is very kelpy and not brilliantly interesting (but we did find a dogfish)
- one down a VERY steep cliff, that we looked at and ran away from (possibly whispering bay or something like that).

Hope that helps,


Gordon

[bomber]

There are quiet a few sites around Trededur Bay, the one opposite the dive shop is Porth Castel with Raven head gully to the left.

On the opposite side of Trededur Bay up lon sal road (?) heading up to south stack you get The haunted house and further on is Porth Daffach both not too bad but watch for current at the haunted house!

Further round on Holy Island there are a couple of sites around Holyhead one by the break water and one which i think is the old jetty (best people to speak to about these and general conditions is the staff at http://www.diveanglesey.co.uk/Anglesey_Divers)

If you fancy it there is a dive in the Meni Straits nr the suspension bridge but timing is all important on that one due to the sweeping currents, having said that the wild life along the telephone cable is probably some of the best around.

As mentioned there are a couple of sites down the Llyn peninsular Trefor Pier when good is excellent Porth Ysgaden also good but shallow....great for trainees....watch out for any fishermen on the rocks!

Another one that crops up in the top 100 shore dives is Cricieth Castle but not done that one yet so cant comment.

If your looking for some boat diving there are a few charters in the area, 2 on Angelsey and one at Meni

HTH

[squealeyhealey]

Get your self a copy of the excellent 'The essential underwater guide to north wales' by Chris Holden from yer local Scuba Shop, now in two volumes.
Details at www.calgopublications.co.uk
Many shore & boat dives in detail the GPS positions are all accurate unlike some other authors that I could mention.
I was a member of Chester CSAC whilst Chris was compiling the books and am in a couple of Photos, but honestely the books are invaluable!

[Davepazzer]

I am not being funny but have you looked at a map or chart of the Area, Snowdon is quite a bit inland of any shore diving I know of in the area.
Chris Holden is a member of our Club and we would only be too happy to provide you with ample Dive sites in the north Wales, Anglesey Area just a bit closer to the sea.:)

[hilrosepaul]

Haveing dived these sites; I can recommend:
Treardurr Bay (with and without a RHIB)
Porth Ysagden (I've never seen so many hermit crabs)
Trefor Pier (cracking Shallow dive if you get the tides right)
Vivian Quarry (My favourite inland site - small but perfectly formed).

Other sites I've either dived or have heard good reports about in N Wales are:
The Menai Straits (a cracking drift if you get it right apparently, but easy to get wrong)
Holyhead Harbour

I see Dorothea has already been mentioned, and although it is supposed to be a great dive, the place has a fearsome reputation and should be treated with caution and respect (especially as BSAC don't sanction diving there)

My old club also used to do some tarn diving expeditions.

As others have said, it would be a good idea to invest in Chris Holden's Books. I think volume 1 is now out of print, but second hand copies might be available. I think volume 2 is still out there

Another thought - don't disregard altitude. Places like Vivian are right on the edge and you may get caught out by transit tables when travelling.
Good Luck

[Jay_Benson]

Another book that covers Anglesey is Shipwrecks of North Wales (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0715388649?ie=UTF8&tag=plyoditr-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0715388649) by Ivor Wynne Jones.