IOM 2017 (Jun ’17)

Aerodivers last visited the Isle of Man in June 2015 & loved it so much they vowed to return; this then is their promise redeemed!

Early start this morning for us, heading north to catch the Ferry to the Isle of Man for four days diving with Isle of Man Diving Charters / Holidays.

An interesting crossing, this was the loading ramp and they were strapping cars down and dishing out sick bags!

Day 1: A bit windy today meant our boat was confined to the harbour so we made the best of a shore dive from Port Erin jetty along to the low boat station and back. Loads of life, visibility around 4-5m. Followed my some of the group going for a walk up to Bredda TowerI

Bredda Tower

View towards Bredda Tower

Day 2: The weather was much kinder today so we ventured outside the harbour for some more challenging stuff

The 1st dive site was, Kione my Halby, a scenic drift where we were accompanied by several seals.
The 2nd site was the Sugarloaf Caves, an exciting meandering drift in semi-darkness where at the end, upon emerging we were accompanied by diving seabirds. Vis was a milky 10m. Sea temp 14°c. A really great day.

Diving seabird on exit from Sugarloaf caves

Anenome

Seal at Kione my Halby

Day 3: Nice weather again today so we took the opportunity to go for a couple of dives many fondly recalled from the previous trip:-

1st dive was the well and truly wrecked, Citrine. A really great dive. Loads of life and metal!
2nd dive was, Amulty: A scenic drift over huge slabs of rock and big boulders covered in plumose anemones, jewel anemones, sponges and a whole lot more. On our way there we saw a basking shark in the distance in the Calf Sound and upon surfacing we learnt there was another one swimming over us. Tom the skipper, captured images of it with his drone and if you look closely, you can see our bubbles. https://m.facebook.com/story.php…

Vis was 15m+ Sea temp was 14°c. Another great day.

White cluster anenomes

Curious dogfish

Day 4: the weather gods were against us today meaning sites were limited to those sheltered from easterly winds.

With low expectations we set off to dive Bay Fine and Gibdale Bay. Viz was surprisingly pleasant at 12-15m and temperature 14 degrees.

After the final dive we were joined by a Basking Shark who allowed the boat to approach close enough for us to spend some time admiring this beautiful creature.