PDA

View Full Version : best dive sites off Plymouth

Rick
08-03-2006, 12:44
as it says on the tin; what are you favourite sites (wreck and non-wreck) off Plymouth?

Got to get a list together for our trip at the end of May

chairman and ex-EO has suggested the following

Wrecks
James Eagan Lane
Elk
Maine
Persier
Oregon
Scylla (although he calls it Shoite)


Scenics
Hands Deep
Eddystone Lighthouse
Mewstone

Any views thoughts? We are doing another trip at easter which is all depths so would be nice to get some variety in
Beanie
08-03-2006, 12:52
Rosehill
Adrian Kelland
08-03-2006, 12:58
as it says on the tin; what are you favourite sites (wreck and non-wreck) off Plymouth?

Got to get a list together for our trip at the end of May

chairman and ex-EO has suggested the following

Wrecks
James Eagan Lane
Elk
Maine
Persier
Oregon
Scylla (although he calls it Shoite)


Scenics
Hands Deep
Eddystone Lighthouse
Mewstone

Any views thoughts? We are doing another trip at easter which is all depths so would be nice to get some variety in
He knows what he is talking about :D

Beanies addition pretty much completes the major sites. Is this a hardboat or RIB trip? Persier, Oregon and especially the Maine can be done from Hope Cove.

Adrian
Rick
08-03-2006, 13:03
He knows what he is talking about :D

Beanies addition pretty much completes the major sites. Is this a hardboat or RIB trip? Persier, Oregon and especially the Maine can be done from Hope Cove.

Adrian

hardboat, we are using Venture
Adrian Kelland
08-03-2006, 13:19
hardboat, we are using Venture
I would plan your dives so both are on the same side of the sound, some skippers don't like going from one side to the other, although I can't recall if I have ever heard Pete say this.

For example one of Maine/Persier/Oregon (all 30-35m) followed by Hillsea Point pinnacle on the way back.

Or Rosehill 30-35m and JEL (or Scylla if you must).

2nd dive after Eddystone or Hand Deeps is usually one of the Scylla/JEL pair too.

Adrian
Rick
08-03-2006, 13:29
I would plan your dives so both are on the same side of the sound, some skippers don't like going from one side to the other, although I can't recall if I have ever heard Pete say this.

For example one of Maine/Persier/Oregon (all 30-35m) followed by Hillsea Point pinnacle on the way back.

Or Rosehill 30-35m and JEL (or Scylla if you must).

2nd dive after Eddystone or Hand Deeps is usually one of the Scylla/JEL pair too.

Adrian

cheers all good advice

So now for the $64,000 question - which ones are musts? Both scenic and wrecks?

I get the feeling the Scylla isnt on the list :D :D
Adrian Kelland
08-03-2006, 13:40
I would pick the Maine over the other two, but it is twice the distance from Plymouth. Persier is good too, but broken up - lots of rare pink sea fans - a protected species to good finning required. Oregon was a wooden hull with steel frame. So most of what is left is the frame. Good for lobster, crab and congers though. Hillsea point does have a cleft in it that it is possible to swim through.

If you want another scenic having planned for Hillsea, Eddystone is mainly large boulders with good coverage of jewel anemonies (I hate that word :) ), Hand Deeps is similar, but I usually have the impression that this is the better of the two.

The Rosehill is a good broken wreck similar to the Persier in state. There is a small gun (2" or so?) to be found too. JEL on the way back :D Breaking up a lot over the last couple of years. I tend to either start on the stern 22m (a gap to the main wreck) and work my way through to the bow in 6m or so. That or drop down the bow, towards the stern along one side looking at the collapsed hull plates, then back in to the bow. Good for John Dorys.

Adrian
Odin
08-03-2006, 13:49
Barnpool...
Adrian Kelland
08-03-2006, 13:54
Barnpool...
If you are blown out :D

Very dark down there and all the tritium fed scallops you can eat.
Rick
08-03-2006, 13:55
Barnpool...

nuclear site I presume? At least the water temp will be higher then
Adrian Kelland
08-03-2006, 14:07
nuclear site I presume? At least the water temp will be higher then Submarine refit in Devonport. The amounts they were allowed to dump went up alot a couple of years ago.
pugwash
08-03-2006, 17:42
nuclear site I presume? At least the water temp will be higher then


..............and you won't need a torch
magentaseas
30-03-2006, 11:25
For a good scenic dive dont forget the East Ruts, goes down to about 30-35m.

cheers

sharon
Richie N
07-04-2006, 04:05
Gotta be the Maine then the James Eagan Layne. They are both well intact and so lend themselves for some excellent swim throughs.
The JEL for me is an underated wreck, just cos everyone has done it kinda takes the gloss of it, but for something a little more intact and deeper then the Maine wins it. A more challenging depth and swimthrus to die for its a great wreck with bundles of atmoshere, the vis is usually good too.
The persier is bascially big hunks of scattered wreckage, notible bits include the prop shaft tunnel which allows for a swim thru in about 28m. Not bad but well overshadowed by the aforementioned wrecks.
Giles
07-04-2006, 11:06
If you are blown out :D

Very dark down there and all the tritium fed scallops you can eat.

I wouldn't get in there if you paid me. Much rather spend a day at the aquarium if the weather was that bad.

Cheers

Giles