Dive Pembrokeshire & Discover Scomer Island

Here is 3 shore dive description’s but can dive others.

Depth: 30MTRS Maximum Depth
Current/Swell: On Northerly Winds and Changing Tide
Experience Level: Advanced Open Water
Boat Traffic: YES (SMB/DSMB advised)

Situated within The Skomer Marine Nature Reserve lies Martins Haven. As part of The Skomer M.N.R Martins Haven has a strict NO TAKE policy with fines of £50,000 for those who take Scallops from the Reserve. With its maximum depth of 30MTRS Martins Haven is one of the deepest shore dives in The UK.

This dive site can be challenging, as there is constant boat traffic from 9am-4pm from charter boat operators ferrying tourists back and forth from Skomer Island so care is needed when diving. The beach itself is comprised of loose pebbles so be careful as low tide exposes slippery kelp rocks.

Left Hand Side: There is NO DIVING allowed around the boat jetty as it is in constant use throughout most of the day. Its best to swim on the surface and descend on the RIB shot line. The seabed is comprised of soft sand and rocky outcrops teaming with all manner of marine life. Follow the contours of the reef keeping it on your left hand side until you reach around 12-18MTRS (depending on tide) here you will find a loose lobster pot on the seabed and above it a beautiful Pink Sea Fan.

Once you have passed the Pink Sea Fan you have two choices, turn around and head back with the reef on your right hand side or head for the drop off and the Scallop beds. Bear in mind that once you are at the drop off it can turn into a drift dive. Maintain regular checks on your air and depth.

Right Hand Side: Enter the water and descend to the seabed, keeping to the right. Kelp forms the majority of the bay on the right hand side with a sandy seabed becoming visble in the centre of the bay. There is lots of life to be found here as well as curious seal pups that will pay you a visit. Keep the reef on you right and follow it around to the edge of the bay and you will come across small boulders, small outcrops of reef as well as large Scallop beds. This side of the bay is more prominent with Octopus and large anemones.

Due to boat traffic we recommend that all divers use an SMB or DSMB at all times on both sides of the bay when diving Martins Haven.

Some of the more commonly found Martins Haven marine life include: Seals, Dogfish, Dragonet, Bass, Pollock, Ballen Wrasse, Pipefish, Octopus, Nudibranchs, Crabs, Lobsters, Scallops, Sea Urchin, Anemones, Boring Sponge, Ross Coral, Jellyfish and Pink Sea fans.

Depth: 14MTRS Maximum Depth
Current/Swell: On Northerly Winds and Changing Tide
Experience Level: All Qualification Levels
Boat Traffic: YES (SMB/DSMB advised)

If you’re looking for a great shore diving location to test out new equipment, enjoy a relaxing scenic dive or a safe environment to conduct entry-level scuba diving courses in Pembrokeshire then look no further. With its flat sandy bottom and narrow bay entrance St Brides offers a sheltered bay that is ideal for introducing novice divers to the world of scuba diving. Visibility can reach up to 15MTRS here although strong northerly winds and storms can heavily reduce visibility and gully accessibility.

For the diver seeking depth and exploration then the left hand side of the bay is for you. With a vast kelp forest and hidden gullies the keen explorer might even find them selves within “The Arch” a gully hidden deep within the kelp forest that is teaming with marine life that starts at the seabed and almost breaks the surface.

The right hand side of the bay is shallower and offers two rather beautiful gullies. “The Blowhole” is a u-bend style gully engulfed in kelp. The entrance is rather tight so the best way to inspect this gully is by following the kelp and descending into the gully. “The Witches Caldron” is a sunken doughnut shape with kelp surrounding the opening. Jewel anemones, strawberry anemones, crabs, lobsters, prawns and nudibranchs can be found here.

If you have dived St Brides before and believe you have seen and done it all then why not try our PADI Night Diver Specialty or join our “Cuttlefish Night Dive” and explore St Brides, as you have never seen it before. Or for the more adventurous diver why not try “The Outer Reef “.

Dive clubs and charter boat operators use St Brides for its close proximity to various offshore dive sites. As such we recommend that all divers use an SMB or DSMB in and around the mouth of the bay and also the bay itself.

Most commonly found marine life include: Dogfish, Dragonet, Bass, Pollock, Ballen Wrasse, Rock Crook, Red Mullet, Tub Gurnard, Weaver Fish, Pipefish, 15 Spine Stickleback, Octopus, Cuttlefish, Nudibranchs, Crabs, Lobsters.

Depth: 14MTRS Maximum Depth
Current/Swell: On Southerly Winds and Changing Tide
Experience Level: All Qualification Levels
Boat Traffic: YES Kayak users (SMB/DSMB advised)

Stackpole Quay is situated on the South side of the county making it an ideal fallback site should St Brides and Martins Haven be inaccessible due to strong Northerly winds/swell.

The right hand side of the bay is by far the best side to dive. Swim out on the surface until you pass the large boulders at the mouth of the bay and descend to the seabed. The seabed is flat and sandy with finger gullies and reefs stretching as far as the eye can see. Due to the gullies there is no “set” route for this dive and divers are advised to explore every nook and cranny. Large numbers of Dogfish can be found here as well as Snake lock Anemone beds. Beautiful Nudibranchs and anemones are firm favorites among divers who visit this site.

Recreational anglers frequent this site so care is needed as loose weighted fishing line and hooks can be found on the reef and in the kelp.

Most commonly found marine life at Stackpole Quay include: Dogfish, Dragonet, Pollock, Topmot Blennies, Pipefish, 15 Spine Stickleback, Squid, Cuttlefish, Nudibranchs, Crabs, Lobsters, Thornback Rays and Blonde Rays.

Will obviously plan to stay somewhere & details to follow.
Be nice to dive this part of the world & be a first for Jeffsdivingworld.p