snorkelling north west uk

[allanc]

hi, does anybody know any good snorkelling sites northwest england, uk.
have tried to find some but no luck. :confused:

[Fiona]

I can't think of any but if I was looking for somewhere it would probably be Anglesey.

There is a nice beach to make camp at Porth Diana over the road from the dive shop. Small bay with rocky areas but alway make sure you are in two's but you probably already know that and always use a SMB as ribs come in for air fills.

[allanc]

thanks fiona:D

[Bob Healey]

Depends where in the North West you are? And whether you want sea or fresh water. We use Debdale Reservoir in Gorton, the kids love it and you would be surprised at the amount of fish life in there, Carp, Pike, Perch, etc, amongst the shopping trolleys, etc. You can always find the fish, normally near to the bank opposite where the fishermen are.

Unfortunately for Sea dives like Fiona said, Anglesey is the best bet, numerous coves there many not deep enough for Scuba, a couple of metres, but teeming with undisturbed marine life, ideal for snorkellers.

Bob Healey.;)

[allanc]

Thanks bob am from merseyside, a lot of docks but have to get permission from harbour master and dont know how, have tried internet but no joy. :( belive harbour master posted in albert dock???? :confused:

[Fiona]

Thanks bob am from merseyside, a lot of docks but have to get permission from harbour master and dont know how, have tried internet but no joy. :( belive harbour master posted in albert dock???? :confused:

Blimey we dived the Albert dock some years ago and the viz was absolute pants, I don't remember any fish :D

As for Debdale park :eek:

[Mike Halligan]

Thanks bob am from merseyside, a lot of docks but have to get permission from harbour master and dont know how, have tried internet but no joy. :( belive harbour master posted in albert dock???? :confused:

Once upon a time, licences were granted by English Estates with charges per person per day, but everything there has changed hands lately and parking is very restricted. Your best chance would probably be talking either to the people on board Zebu, who include a PADI/RYA outfit in their number, or to the security guys, some of whom are surprisingly engaging.

We used to (scuba)dive Dukes and Salthouse fairly regularly, when the vis was occasionally spectacular. No much cop after we'd done our PRM course though! Max depth 7m just inside the sill on entering Albert from Salthouse. Boat traffic could be a pain at some times of year.

More recently, someone's started DUKW tours and delights in rolling-back on the Salthouse slipway, with inevitable consequence for vis.

Hope this helps,
Mike

[allanc]

Thanks mike thats fantastic, will go tomorrow and sort that out:D

[allanc]

Blimey we dived the Albert dock some years ago and the viz was absolute pants, I don't remember any fish :D

As for Debdale park :eek:

Hi fiona i belive that that albert dock is not used as much as it used to be so the viz got a bit better but not sure as i cannot get permision ha ha ha :p

[John Williams]

[QUOTE=Fiona]Blimey we dived the Albert dock some years ago and the viz was absolute pants, I don't remember any fish :D
QUOTE]

There's loads of eels ...all poking their heads out of the sediment (really good to watch!) Some jump out and swim away and some just retreat onto their holes...I guess it depends on how scary the diver/snorkeller looks!

Anything solid in there (traffic cones, shopping trolleys or the walls of the dock) are teeming with life, soft corals, tunicates, anenomes!

The viz IS poor if you get there later in the day (after another group with poor buoyancy control). The bottom stirs up pretty good!

get there early ...or make the swim to the far end (beyond where the previous group were) and you will get stunning viz (and maybe even a halocline!)

My only advice is to take your time...swim carefully and slowly wherever you go - take the time to see what is there ....and DONT fin about madly stirring up the bottom!

As has been said - the place has changed hands recently....so I would not know who to contact for permission. However - if you show up and ask a group who is there (or security - they will, at least, know the name they have been asked to look for on the permission slip!) then you should find out easily.

Whilst there I can recommend the Beatles Exhibition (from recent experience)and the Maritime Museum (from previous experience!)

All the best

John

[allanc]

[QUOTE=Fiona]Blimey we dived the Albert dock some years ago and the viz was absolute pants, I don't remember any fish :D
QUOTE]

There's loads of eels ...all poking their heads out of the sediment (really good to watch!) Some jump out and swim away and some just retreat onto their holes...I guess it depends on how scary the diver/snorkeller looks!

Anything solid in there (traffic cones, shopping trolleys or the walls of the dock) are teeming with life, soft corals, tunicates, anenomes!

The viz IS poor if you get there later in the day (after another group with poor buoyancy control). The bottom stirs up pretty good!

get there early ...or make the swim to the far end (beyond where the previous group were) and you will get stunning viz (and maybe even a halocline!)

My only advice is to take your time...swim carefully and slowly wherever you go - take the time to see what is there ....and DONT fin about madly stirring up the bottom!

As has been said - the place has changed hands recently....so I would not know who to contact for permission. However - if you show up and ask a group who is there (or security - they will, at least, know the name they have been asked to look for on the permission slip!) then you should find out easily.

Whilst there I can recommend the Beatles Exhibition (from recent experience)and the Maritime Museum (from previous experience!)

All the best

John


Thanks John thats a big help