UK Diving Blogs
Whelps Reef – Cornwall
After months of winter and spring storms the sea is once again being kind to us and diving slowly becomes the norm rather than a frantic jaunt in a brief weather window.
I joined Atlantic Scuba for an afternoon dive on Whelps Reef a few miles outside of the Falmouth Estuary. The boat was full as we eased our way along the coast and dropped anchor in the calm water.
I decided to leave the main camera behind and concentrate on the GoPro while at the same time testing the Bigblue TL 2500P video light from Liquid Sports. This self-contained tech-light pumps out 2500 lumens in a very neat little body. There are four levels of brightness and SOS function. I will be doing a full review on the light later.
The visibility on the reef was OK at about 3 meters but there was lots of debris in the water. This is where the GoPro’s wide angle comes into it’s own, allowing you to get up close to subject yet keeping a good wide view of the scene.
Carpets of Dead Man’s Fingers (Alcyonium digitatum) adorned every available space. This species of soft coral is common around the coasts of the North Atlantic. The ‘fingers’ are made up of small polyps each having a mouth surrounded by eight tiny feathery-looking tentacles. The polyps feed at various times of the day with their tentacles extended. They are suspension feeders gathering plankton from the water with the help of cilia, and absorbing oxygen at the same time.
CommonSea Urchins (Echinus esculentus) were also in abundance. They are common all around the rocky coasts of the UK and are a constant grazer of the sub-tidal rocky terrain eating mostly algae and encrusting invertebrates. The mouth is located centrally on it’s underside and comprises of a group of 5 specialised calcareous plates, known as an ‘Aristotle’s lantern’ which acts as a jaw. Spawning mainly occurs in the spring and a large female may release about 20 million eggs into the water column. The larvae then become part of the plankton settling back on the sea bed mostly in autumn and winter generally below the kelp zone.
There were several species of starfish including the seven armed starfish (luidia cillaris) which is found on stony terrain as well as sand. It can move surprisingly quickly and feeds mainly on other echinoderms such as urchins.
Whelps Reef is a great dive and basically runs from the shallows to 20m.
If you would like to dive the reef contact Mark at Atlantic Scuba – visit www.atlanticscuba.co.uk.
Marine Quest offers week long dive packages, catering from a wide range of interests. From beautiful scenic diving in the world-famous St Abbs and Eyemouth Marine Reserve, to explore the stunning historic wreck sites of the Firth of Forth and further offshore wreck expeditions, there is plenty to suit all.
You will dive from on one of Marine Quest’s custom designed dive boats that are modern, fast and spacious. Fitted with diver recovery lifts and toilets, Marine Quest aim to make your time aboard as comfortable as possible.
You will stay at The Harbourside; a custom-built dive lodge; fully modernised and comfortable accommodation. All situated on the picturesque quayside in the heart of Eyemouth. All rooms are en-suite, with gallons of hot water! A large lounge offers a relaxing area to unwind and access to free WiFi throughout the building. There is an extensive kit drying room for the use of all guests.
Scenic & Wreck Packages
5 day package includes:
- 5 x 2 dive days
- 5 nights B&B
- Refreshments on- board
- Air fills included (Nitrox extra)
Price: £620.00
Packages include accommodation from Sunday evening
Dates 2024:
6th – 10th May
Scenic and shallow wreck week
25m max
10 spaces
24th – 28th June
Scenic and shallow wreck week
25m max
FULL
22th – 26th July
Scenic and shallow wreck week
30m max
10 spaces
19th – 23th August
Scenic and shallow wreck week
30m max
10 spaces
Other dates will be added to the calendar soon
Technical Dive
Packages
5 day package includes:
- 5 days hard boat diving
- 5 nights B&B
- Refreshments on-board
Price: £845.00
Packages include accommodation from Sunday evening
Dates 2024:
13th May – 17th May
45m Wreck Week
10 spaces
3rd – 7th/9th June
(Sat & Sun can be added)
Classics wreck week
60-70m
4 spaces
17th – 21st/23rd June
(Sat & Sun can be added)
Classics wreck week
60-70m
Limited spaces email for details
29th June – 7th July
Far North Expedition (9 days diving)
FULL
15th – 19th July
Classics wreck week
60-70m
10 spaces
29th July – 4th August
(7 days)
Exmouth ’80’ week
60 max
FULL
12th – 16th/18th August
(Sat & Sun can be added)
Classics wreck week
Limited spaces email for details
27th – 31st August
(Tuesday – Saturday)
45m wreck week
8 spaces
2nd – 8th September
HMS Pathfinder 110 week
Limited spaces email for details
25th – 29th September
Whitby Expedition
FULL
For more information or to book:
info@marinequest.co.uk
www.marinequest.co.uk
+44 (0)778 0823 884
Want to join a dive club? In this series, we take a look at grassroots diving and find out what’s happening on the club scene in the UK and around the world…
What is the name of your club?
Christal Seas Scuba Ltd
Where is your club based?
At our lovely dive centre in Norwich, complete with well-stocked shop, service rooms and on-site swimming pool.
Club affiliations (i.e. BSAC, PADI, SAA, etc.)
PADI and SSI training and we have good links to our local BSAC club.
Where and when do you meet?
We don’t have regular club meetings as we have a permanent base at our dive centre in Norwich which serves as a hub and meeting point for everyone and the focus of pool and classroom training. It is a regular meeting place for local divers and a great chance to catch up with everyone.
We do also organise special guest speakers and social events every few months too.
How do you respond to the challenge of recruiting new members?
We have been running for over 20 years and are lucky enough to have a lot of repeat divers and customers. Word of mouth recommendations are really important, and our website and Social Media pages give information for new people too.
What facilities and resources does the club use/have?
We have a well stocked shop with our own swimming pool on-site. We also do cylinder testing and all equipment servicing on site too.
What sort of diving do you do, and where?
We do lots of training dives at Stoney Cove and also dive off the Norfolk coast. The shore dives just off the north Norfolk coast, around Cromer and Sheringham are really nice and full of marine life and even 2 world war 1 shipwrecks. All in 8 metres deep of water. And we organise trips to the Farne Islands and the south coast too.
Do you organise any club trips abroad, and if so, where?
Several trips abroad… This year for example, we have organised 3 trips to the Farne Islands, 3 Red Sea Liveaboards, a Maldives Liveaboard and a Cocos Island trip. Trips to Bikini Atoll and Scapa Flow are planned for 2024.
Does your club have any special interests such as conservation, special projects, etc?
We have lots of interesting activities from Full Face mask dives in the pool, Discover Mermaid experiences (we have 2 Mermaid Instructors in-house) and carry out a lot of training for juniors from 8 years upwards. We are planning beach cleans and Dive Against Debris dives for 2024.
Does your club have any claims to fame or any particularly interesting stories… or members?
No particular claims to fame but as with all dive clubs we have a great collection of interesting divers who could tell a tale or two…
What are the club’s plans for the future?
To continue operating, growing and enjoying what we do.
Where can people find out more about your club?
See our website www.scuba4me.co.uk or Facebook page www.facebook.com/scubanorwich
Finally… if you could sum up your club in just one sentence, what would it be?
We are a friendly club full of people passionate about diving and helping others who welcome everyone from whatever age or experience or type of diving you like to do.
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