Lundy Diving
Info
8th – 12th July 2011
Contents:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Dive types available and other information
Dive Boat
Accommodation
Price Breakdown
Other Info
1 – Dive types available and other information
Dates: Most of the dive charter boats operate from April through to the end of September, with July
and August regarded as the best time for visibility. Hence the chosen dates, I think school holidays start
on 15th July.
Diving highlights: The most satisfying wreck dive off Lundy Island is the Robert, a small coaster lying
on its starboard side at a maximum depth of 28m. Almost completely intact, the wreck went down in the
1970s while carrying a cargo of coal, and today its rusting structure is covered with plumose anemones
and soft corals. Scan the interior with a good torch and you should be able to find a few conger eels,
while the exterior provides a suitably craggy habitat for tompot blennies and crabs.
Otherwise, there are the scattered remains of HMS Montague, A fine naval vessel of 14,000 tons,
launched in 1901 at a high cost of a million pounds, she had seen less than 3 years service when in a
typical Lundy Fog, she hit the Shutter Rock at the south west corner of the island. Apparently there are
some 12” live shells within the wreckage!! (more details below)
A typical scenic dive consists of a gradual descent over a sloping reef, the kelp forest giving way to bare
rock below 18m. In the gulleys and ridges you should be able to find pink sea fans, dogfish and lobsters,
which have prospered at Lundy since it was declared a no-take zone three years ago.
There are also the 30 or so resident grey seals that live along the island's coves and bays. The water is
quite clear and light penetration is good around the rookeries, so shallow dives can be rewarding if they
are of a mind to play. Above all, surfacing to those stark grey cliffs and the distant cry of the oystercatcher gives Lundy diving its own special pleasure.
Below is a map of Lundy with a list of dive sites located around it.
1. Hen & Chickens
Spectacular clean current-swept granite scenery. Best to dive in calm weather at low
water slack on neap tides when the rocks just break the surface. There is a steep dropoff west and north.
2. North coast
Dive about 100m offshore for sandy rock scenery.
3. Seal's Rock
Dive adjacent to the rock on the south-east side for the steepest drop-off. There is
wreckage of an unknown vessel (Heroine?) on the rock platform on the north-east
side.
4. Between Seal's Rock and Gannet's Rock.
Seems to be much the same seabed all along here with a fairly steep boulder slope
with some bedrock adjacent to the shore leading to a plain of cobbles and boulders at
about 35m bcd.
5. Gannet's Rock
The broken vertical/overhanging surfaces of the Rock continue underwater to about
15m bcd where coarse sand is present. This can be followed to the cliffs of Gannet's
Rock Pinnacle.
6. Gannet's Bay
The north side is a boulder tumble extending to a mud plain at about 14m bcd. The
large boulders form caves studded with corals. Wrasse are particularly abundant here.
Between Gannet's Bay and Brazen Ward. A bedrock and boulder slope adjacent to the
shore leading to a muddy plain but with rock outcrops at about 20m bcd as Brazen
Ward is approached.
7. Brazen Ward
Dive about 50m offshore of Frenchmen's Landing (the north side) and continue east for
cliffs and rock slopes (similar topography to the intertidal area).
8. Knoll Pins
For a fairly long dive, a descent to the south or north sides and a swim around to the
east at about 18m is best. The rock slope extends to 30m bcd off the east of the Outer
Pin. Many dives are spoilt by divers being swept off-site whilst getting organised at the
surface etc and landing on the muddy gravel at 30m. So, drop in close to the rocks and
be quick if there is any current.
9. Wrecks of the 'Robert' and 'Iona'
These two wrecks lie very close together about 1km east of Tibbett's Point. The
'Robert' is a largely intact small coaster lying on it's starboard side on the sediment
seabed at 21m bcd. The remains of the 'Iona' lie about 50m west of the 'Robert'. NOTE
that a licence is needed to visit this "protected wreck".
10. Gull Rock
Broken granite scenery but silty rock mainly dominated by algae. Dive about 50m
offshore of the Rock and swim east for cliffs leading to muddy gravel at about 16m
bcd. NOTE there is a "protected wreck" here and a licence is needed to dive.
11. Halfway Wall Bay/Quarry Bay area
This is a useful area to dive when winds or tidal currents prevent access to other sites,
or when a short trip to a site near the landing bay is required. The shore is fringed by
boulders which extend to a mud plain but with some rock outcrops off the bay where
the Kaaksberg was wrecked. Dive about 80m offshore.
12. Landing Bay area
Shallow but interesting fringing rocks leading to sand. Take care near the rock off Rat
Island as tidal currents accelerate rapidly here.
13. North East of Rat Island
50 to 100m offshore here, there is a level seabed at about 12m bcd of slates with rock
outcrops. For most of the tidal cycle the rocks are swept by fairly strong currents.
14. North of Surf Point
The seabed near to the shore off surf point is of rock outcrops in sand. The wreck of
the 'Carmine Filomena' lies below surf point here and is mainly a pile of plates with
some ribs and overhanging surfaces.
15. Surf Point Gullies
The network of shallow gullies around surf point is fascinating to explore. The gullies
open out below sea level so their narrow appearance at low water is deceptive. Seals
here, so don't be surprised if you get your fins nipped!
16. South East Coast
The bedrock has broken up to form a great expanse of tide swept slates colonised by
beds of brittle stars and with some rock outcrops extending to depths in excess of
about 35m bcd, 300m offshore.
17. South coast
There is an extensive boulder plain covered by dense kelp inshore of Lee Rocks.
Seaward of Lee Rocks is a steep and very broken rock slope leading to the plain of
slates at about 35m bcd. Near to the base of this slope is the wreck of the 'Earl of
Jersey'.
18. Rattles Anchorage
Rock outcrops among patches of course sand and at a depth of about 20m bcd.
19. Offshore of Black Rock
South of Black Rock, the seabed slopes fairly gradually to deep water. The wreck of the
'Atlas' is present here, mainly a massive boiler and prop shaft with some plates. South
west of Black Rock, there are Spectacular slate cliffs and pinnacles descending to
35m+.
20. Montague Bay
The wreck of 'HMS Montague' lies here amongst broken, kelp covered rocks. The
majority of the wreck is massive thick armour plates, but with some superstructure still
intact.
21. West Coast, South of Jenny's Cove
Gradually sloping broken granite bedrock with gullies, silty in places.
22. West Coast, North of Jenny's Cove
More rugged granite bedrock with gullies, canyons and cliffs which are particularly well
developed off the northern side of Jenny's Cove.
23. Devil's Slide
The canyons, cliffs and gullies continue towards the North and St Peter's Stone.
24. Long Roost
Broken granite bedrock amongst clean sand with some vertical surfaces of around 20m
bcd.
Lundy Zoning - http://www.lundy.org.uk/inf/zone.html
Further Wreck Information
Dive Site: The MV Robert
Location: 51°11'24"N; 4°38'48"W (Lundy Island, North Devon)
Description: Wreck
Depth: 22 - 28 metres (72 - 92 feet)
Visibility: 5 - 15 metres (15 - 50 feet)
Rating: ****
The Robert sank in 1975 and now lies intact on its starboard side. It is best dived at low water slack, but
this wreck is diveable on nearly all of the flood tide. There is a strong current on ebb tide, especially
during spring tides. Depths of 22m to the bottom at low tide, 28m at high. A good sized wreck for one
dive, 50m long. Excellent dive worth making the effort, vis usually good.
The quality of marine life on this wreck is outstanding. A torch is recommended for close inspection into
the hull where you may see the odd lobster.
Dive Site: HMS Montagu
Location: 51°09.57N; 04°40.40W (Lundy Island, North Devon)
Description: 14,000-ton battleship
Depth: 5 - 15 metres (15 - 50 feet)
Visibility: 5 - 15 metres (15 - 50 feet)
Rating: ****
The HMS Montagu was built in 1901 as the Montague and renamed to the HMS Montagu in the same
year. It sank 29th May 1906 by running aground in fog on Shutter Reef, Lundy Island. Massive efforts to
re-float her failed. Six months of salvage work followed. The wreck is now scattered and broken, but 2m
high piles of armour plate are still there amid kelp. Beware live 12 inch shells within the wreckage.
GANNET'S ROCK
Position:
51º 11.77' N
004º 40.9' W
Lundy's jewel-anemone capital is located at the north end of Gannet's Bay on the eastern side of the
island. The outside wall of the rock drops down to approximately 30m and you can work your way back
up and around the rock, checking out the overhangs on route. Its biggest-selling point is its small
creatures, so good visibility isn't really essential here.
BRAZEN WARD
Position:
51º 11.37' N
004º 39.67' W
Brazen Ward can be dived as a drift. Whether you head north or south depends on the state of the tide the currents can be strong and surface marker buoys are a must. South to north is the best dive, as you
can start around the outside of the rock and drift into the bay where the seals are waiting.
Faced with low visibility, we swam close to the bottom at 20m, keeping our eyes open for small
creatures. There were beautiful trumpet anemones and burrowing anemones on the sandy bottom, as
well as lots of little hermit crabs scurrying around the Ross corals. The attractive brown daisy anemones
gathered together in groups. We also found dogfish around the rocky outcrops. Heading into slightly
shallower water, we drifted past large rock faces decorated with attractive sargartia anemones, sponges
and sea fans. We found that visibility picked up in the shelter of the bay, so we stayed there to
photograph the young seals.
2 – Dive Boat
Colin Eastman / Lundy Charters
Lundy Murrelet
01237 431875
http://www.lundy-charters.co.uk
3 – Accommodation
Clovelly
First night accommodation is most likely to be in The New Inn, Clovelly. This year’s price is £29.50 pppn
for a basic room. It should only go up £1 or so for next year.
The charter boat skipper said they also do a deal there for his divers but I’m not yet sure what that is!
http://www.clovelly.co.uk/new_inn_intro.php
Lundy
I propose the cheap and cheerful accommodation of The Barn. We would stay here for 3 nights. (Check
in Saturday, Check out Tuesday morning)
It sleeps 14 so there will be some spare beds.
We need to book this ASAP as the National Trust tends to book it up REALLY far in advance.
(costs are below)
Just as a reference.. Other Island accommodation is over THREE times this amount!
The Barn
14 people
The Barn is constructed of granite and was converted to a
threshing house when the round house was added. This
provided a circular walk for a horse or donkey, harnessed to
a gin to provide power for the machinery in the adjacent
threshing room. It is now a most original hostel for 14 people,
lined throughout with varnished wood, with six sleeping in the
round house, and eight in the gallery, divided into elementary
cubicles and possessing one of the best views on the island.
It has a large tall living room with a big open fire, and is at the centre of island life.
4 – Price Breakdown
Dive Boat /
Skipper
Number of
Divers
Parking
Friday Night
Accommodation
Accommodation
Sat - Mon
Diving
Kit
Arrangement
APPROX
TOTAL PER
PERSON
Colin Eastman /
Lundy Charters
10
Free at
Clovelly
New Inn Clovelly
£29.50 pp
The Barn, on Lundy Island
Total = £423
Plus £17pp for Linen
4 days diving =
£1450 (This
year’s cost)
Leave on Boat
£234
Accommodation costs are this year’s price. If we want to secure The Barn for the same price then we would need to pay in full THIS year,
otherwise we just pay a deposit and hope it doesn’t go up too much!
5 – Other Info
There is a compressor on the boat and air can be supplied at the following rates:
15 ltr = £4.50
12 ltr = £4.00
10 ltr = £3.50
7 ltr = £3.00
Pony = £2.00
If you need further convincing or information…
www.lundyisland.co.uk
www.lundy.org.uk
http://www.ilfracombediveclub.com/
http://www.divernet.com/Marine-Life/232009/finnibblers_of_lundy_island.html
http://www.divernet.com/UK_Diving/uk_diving_general/158917/happy_lundy.html
http://www.divemagazine.co.uk/news/article.asp?uan=2477