Spaces available in July to dive St Kilda

Please find following information regarding a trip to St Kilda on 9th July. The Skipper, George Mair, asked if I could please highlight this on the BSAC Forum. Who ever goes, I hope you have fun! Many thanks.

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Spaces available in July on Loyal Mediator/Gemini Storm to dive an ancient volcano, considered by many as one of the world?s finest dive sites

The islands of Boreray, Dun, Hirta, Levenish and Soay are all that remain of an ancient volcano. Over the last sixty million years this has been eroded into the dramatic coastal scenery of St Kilda. This archipelago was immortalised in 1930 when 4,000 years of habitation came to an end. For the 30 inhabitants requested evacuation, unable to endure the extreme hardships of such a remote place.

Divers may not be aware that amongst other things, St Kilda is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a National Nature and Biosphere Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is also considered by many to be one of the world?s finest diving sites, so you know a trip here is going to be something very special.

The scenery is breathtaking with Britian?s tallest sea cliffs at Conachair (430 metres). This spectacular topography is echoed underwater, where divers can explore a plethora of arches, tunnels, caves, magnificent walls and drop offs around the islands.

St Kilda benefits from the North Atlantic swell, which when combined with the Gulf Stream, produces an amazing variety of life. A million seabirds nest here, with Gannets and Puffins soaring and sweeping low over the water, whilst beneath the seas, walls are carpeted in multicoloured Jewel Anemones, Sponges and Dead Man?s Fingers. Sea Slugs, Feather Stars, Crabs and Cuckoo Wrasse are in abundance and it is not uncommon to see Grey Seals and sometimes Minke Whales.

Normally anyone wishing to dive St. Kilda will find that most of the charter vessels are booked up at least a year in advance. Gemini Storm/Loyal Mediator has luckily had a liveaboard week come free in July (9th ? 16th) at a cost of ?550 per diver. This includes all meals, diving and air fills on this liveaboard, departing from Oban. Bespoke Nitrox fills are also available upon request.

Divers should remember that remote St Kilda offers formidable diving, stunning scenery and fabulous underwater sites. However it is not for the inexperienced diver, due to powerful swells and strong currents. If the dive team is experienced and capable, you will have a dive trip of a lifetime. For anyone lucky enough to dive St Kilda, the memory of that visit will last forever. For further details please contact the Skipper, George Mair on 01855 821 548 or 07774 422 448, or log www.geministorm.co.uk

Further Details

All Charters leave from Oban, West Coast of Scotland.

Loyal Mediator/Gemini Storm is owned by George Mair, a fully qualified professional diver and Charter Boat Skipper.

Loyal Mediator/Gemini Storm is a recently refurbished ex Loyal Class Navy Fleet Tender. Being fully self-contained and catering for up to 12 divers and 3 crew at a time, this Ship provides an ideal base for trips of up to a week or more, allowing divers to explore more remote and exciting dives, than is usually possible. Accommodation on board includes a bunkroom for 8, 2 x cabins with 2 bunks, 2 showers and 2 heads.

The crew includes a full time Scottish Chef, so divers will be pleased to find home cooked, hot and tasty meals. Special dietary requirements can be easily catered for, however please give Loyal Mediator/Gemini Storm plenty of notice, so that menus can be planned and ingredients purchased.

George has been running trips to St Kilda for four years. The St Kilda trips are for 7 or 9 days, between May and September. It is possible at other times, upon request, but St Kilda has no shelter, so the weather is a gamble at any time of the year. Water temperatures may reach only 13?C, so dry suit diving is recommended. Although there are no shops on St Kilda, so divers should take everything they will need, they will be pleased to hear there is a pub!