Hello Everyone,
I am organising a summer trip to dive the Farne Islands on the weekend of 16th and 17th July 2022. I have booked William Shiel’s boat ‘Glad Tidings VIII’ which is a largeish hard boat with a diver lift, a toilet and enough space for around 24 divers.
The boat goes out of Seahouses, which is a lovely coastal town in Northumberland just 3hrs drive from Barnsley with plenty of quality accommodation; hotels, B&Bs and camping. Off its coast, 2-3 miles out, are the Farnes, a collection of 15-20 rocky outcrop islands (depending on the state of the tide) which are home to one of the most exciting seabird colonies in the United Kingdom; 23 different species nest there, including around 43,000 pairs of puffins during June and July.
More importantly to us as divers, the waters around the Farnes contain an amazing array of sea life including a large population of grey seals, who are very used to divers and, thanks to their inquisitive nature, come and check us out while we’re underwater..
We will go out on both Saturday and Sunday for two dives each day, usually in the morning so hopefully there will be time in the afternoons to enjoy the Northumbrian scenery and castles. The dive sites will be chosen by the skipper each day according to the tides and currents but ALL the dives will be suitable for both Ocean Divers as well as more experienced divers of course. The cost of the diving will be around £55-£60 per diver per day, so a total of up to £120 for both days diving plus the cost of air fills.
In addition to this you will have to book your own accommodation for Friday and Saturday nights, preferably in Seahouses.
Many of the club’s qualified divers have dived the Farne Islands and will testify that it never fails to be a fantastic diving experience, If you’d like a space on this trip please let me and Lee (our treasurer) know and pay a £50 deposit to the club account:
The balance will be due 6 weeks before the trip). Please don’t hesitate to come back to me if you need any more information.
Ann