Holiday ideas - 2008

[Cerianthus]

Hai guys,

not sure if this is in the right forum, but there's no travel sections.

Strangely enough, a regular holiday buddy of mine and me are drawn towards the colder waters. the warmest we've been diving together is the Med.

I've been diving in Scotland a couple of times. I lived in Aberdeen for 6 months (diving the Eastcoast), dit a trip to the sound of mull/Lochaline. Visited the Oban area and visited Scapa 2 times. My last holiday there was more or less a Scotland tour. My dive buddy suggested we'd give Scotland (and maybe Scapa) another go (he was only there the last time).

I am leaning towards going somewhere i didn't visit before. I'd like to visit Norway sometimes (of special interest to me is the cold water coral there at a diveable depth). But I'm sure I didn't see all possibilities in Scotland, let alone Britain.

I heard of places like St Abbs. for my photo stuff I would like clear cut macro opportunities as well as larger subjects. My buddy likes wrecks (which I like as well, but I just thing there's more). The Basking Shark stories in Cornwall impress me as well (but for photo's, it could proof to be be very frustrating).

So I am looking for ideas for great spots in Britain (and maybe Ireland as well)

[Cussy]

For marine life I would say go to St Abbs (between Edinburgh and Newcastle) and then head down the coast to the Farne Islands for diving with the seals. They lack decent wrecks though, so perhaps go to the west coast of Scotland, but I've not been to offer advice. My favourite wreck in the UK is the James Egen Layne at Plymouth - photographically its excellent. There is also a lot of macro opportunities out of Plymouth at Eddystone.
HTH
Rob

[Cerianthus]

Thanks, this is the kind of stuff I'm looking for. I've been to the Oban area, this has still much appeal (also nice to visit some friends there).

I've heard names like St Kilda, Scilly Isles as well, but I'm just thinking out loud

Not counting Scapa, what would be the number one UK dive spot ?

[TimIngmire]

I have to agree with Rob. If I had the time I'd do Mull / Oban then shoot over to Abbs via Lough Fyne with a trip down to the Farnes. I reckon if you had a week this this would be possible.

Good thing about this itinerary is that you'll always have somewhere to dive regardless of the weather.

If you wanted Ireland then the west coast is excellent - not a lot of wrecks tho. unless you went to the south coast where the vis is not so good.

[Tazzie]

Originally Posted by Cerianthus

Not counting Scapa, what would be the number one UK dive spot ?

Having never dived Scapa or indeed Scotland (yet) my number one dive spot in the UK is Falmouth - reason being you can usually get wet in virtually any weather conditions as they have so many different sites in and around Falmouth Bay. In great conditions the Manacles are fantastic, closer to the actual port or east up the river if conditions aren't so great.

[DDT uk]

Another vote for Oban, St Abbs and Farnes. Oban for wrecks with life of them; St Abbs for life and swim throughs; Farnes for seals.

Daniel

[Cerianthus]

I'd have 2 or 3 weeks, so I'm not so short on time. At lochaline I dived the Hispania and Rondo a long time ago (95ish), and the breda around 2000. Thats probably long enough ago .

[DDT uk]

Originally Posted by Cerianthus

I'd have 2 or 3 weeks, so I'm not so short on time. At lochaline I dived the Hispania and Rondo a long time ago (95ish), and the breda around 2000. Thats probably long enough ago .

The Hispania is a good dive, the Rondo overrated (in my opinon) and the Breda can be very silty if it is the one next to the fish farm. The Thesis is my pick of the bunch. Loads of macro, excellent for wide angle wreck shots (leading lines all over the place). I could easily spend a whole weekend of that wreck alone. After the Tarbarka in Scapa, it is probably my favourite wreck.

Daniel

[Cerianthus]

you $&%, you mentioned a wreck in Scapa I even didnt know off....

[alexiajeorge]

I wish to go on a nice tour to maybe Korea or Japan or even Europe. I have a few experts coming along... however most of the tour companies even the major ones conduct in Chinese. Does anyone know of an expert oriented tour company... there used to be ken air but no more. Is there any of a tour company in Singapore that is in English? Please answer me. Thank you in advance.