Farne Islands, Scenic Dives, 2019

20th to 21st April

Farne Islands, Scenic Dives, 2019

20th to 21st April

Farne Islands, Scenic Dives, 2019

20th to 21st April

Farne Islands, Scenic Dives, 2019

20th to 21st April

Farne Islands, Scenic Dives, 2019

20th to 21st April

The Farne Islands are a group of Islands situated off the Northumberland Coast famous for their colonies of birds, diver-friendly seals and situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty.  The waters are rich in sea life and wrecks and the natural shelter of the islands gives good protection for diving.  At this time of year nesting birds, including puffins, will go fishing so encounters of them diving in to join you are not unheard of, making this an exceptional time of year to dive! 

Following a pleasant scenic drive to Seahouses, Northumberland on Friday, you’ll check in to the accommodation and get a good night’s sleep before breakfast and dives!

 

You’ll enjoy two dives per day, jumping in from Farne Diver before exploring the magnificent wrecks and reefs so often overlooked when there are playful seals to interact with.

 

At this time of year, land-based wild life are a feature. Birds will often dive in around you to fish for their chicks. Seal pups are still close to their parents and haven’t yet got the bravery to have a nibble of your fins, though curiosity may get the better of them.

Price

Diving & Accommodation: £215

Deposit: £95 per person. Please note, this is required to secure your place on board & accommodation and is non-refundable.

Arrangement Fee: FREE for NHDC Dive Society members, £20 for non-dive society members, £10 for non-divers.

Balance Payment: Balance payments will be required 8 weeks prior to departure. Payment plans can be arranged; please get in touch to discuss options for setting up a payment plan.

Pre-requisites

Ability: You will need to be a PADI Open Water Diver (or equivalent) before you travel.

Medically Fit: Complete this UK Trip Medical Questionnaire and have GP countersign if required.

Reserve your place

Contact Us to Reserve your Place

info@nhdc.co.uk

Accommodation 

This 2 day trip involves travelling up to Seahouses, Northumberland, on the 19th April before checking in to the accommodation, having a meal at a nearby pub or restaurant and getting a good nights sleep.

Accommodation has been booked for the nights of the 19th and 20th April, so you’ll be able to relax after diving for one more night (evening of the 20th) in twin accommodation on a B&B basis. You’ll get the chance to visit local bars and restaurants for your evening meal.

 

Diving 

Diving will take place from Farne Diver (one or two), a comfortable hard boat, complete with diver lift to help you back on board after diving! You’ll head out each morning for 2 dives per day, returning mid-afternoon, giving you chance to explore the sites on land too.

You’ll be able to enjoy 2 days of diving diving on the 20th and 21st April before you to head home again during the afternoon of the 21st.

Due to the nature of the diving, you will need a Dive computer and delayed SMB with reel, as well as your usual personal dive equipment.

Water temperatures at this time of year average 10oC, therefore Drysuits and undersuits are essential. Hoods and gloves are also highly recommended.

Wrecks and various nooks & crannies may be available to explore. To get the most from these dives, you will need a good torch.

You will need to take two cylinders and weights with you; these are not available locally.

All required equipment can be rented from NHDC for the weekend. Some back-up items may be available locally but cannot be guaranteed, therefore it is advisable to take what you’ll need!

The package price for Divers includes:

  • Two days of diving with 2 dives per day, from the hard boat ‘Farne Diver’
  • Accommodation in twin share en-suite accommodation on a B&B basis for two nights. Please note, single occupancy is not available on this trip. If you are a solo traveler we will help to find a suitable room share and buddy for the weekend.
  • Provision of a Trip Leader by New Horizons Dive Centre.

 

Non-Divers 

Non divers may be able to join us but will not be permitted on board the boat. They can spend their time exploring the beauty of the Northumberland coast line and the wonderful sandy beaches located there.

The Farnes are steeped in history with many ships coming to grief on the rugged islands. The Islands themselves are home to a large number of sea birds including puffins, terns, guillemots, razorbills and cormorants.

The Farne Islands offer a wide range of diving for all experiences and tastes.  The underwater visibility at times can reach 20 meters, which makes it ideal for finding those tiny sea creatures.

 

Wrecks

There are many wrecks for divers to explore, ranging in depth from 6 metres to 34, ensuring there is something for all levels of training and experience. While the ‘Forfarshire’ and the story of ‘Grace Darling’ may be one of the most famous wrecks, the ‘Somali’ is one of the most popular. Carrying 9000 tons of cargo when she was sunk during a raid in 1941, she is now owned by the skipper, making this a wreck exclusive to you!

With numerous wrecks within PADI Open Water Diver depth limits, there is guaranteed to be something for everyone.  Some of the most famous wrecks include the Somali (30 metres), the St Andre (24 metres) and the Brittannia (10-28 metres), making these more suited to PADI Advanced Open Water qualified divers. This could be the perfect opportunity to complete an Adventure Dive or two and work towards the rating while you’re there!

 

Scenic Dives 

There are many dives sites around the islands ranging in depths from 4 to 30 metres (or more). There are shallow reef dives, drift dives and impressive walls.

The scenic diving around the Farne Islands is some of the best in the country, with beautiful soft corals, sun stars, sea urchins and anemones to name but a few. You can dive through gullies covered in deadman’s fingers or among huge boulders that have something hiding behind every nook and cranny.

 

Dive site highlights

The sites are abundant in marine life, including various urchins, crabs, lobsters, star fish galore, and spectacular corals. While the wrecks themselves are impressive to dive, they are now home to a range of species with all sorts of life hiding in the nooks and crannies.

During the breeding season of spring and early summer you will be able to dive with Puffins and Guillemots during your dives too.

Experience

Due to the nature of the diving and sea temperatures, you must be PADI Open Water Diver (or greater) and be comfortable using a drysuit. This is the perfect opportunity to try out UK sea diving and maybe even complete an Adventure Dive or two as part of the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course.

 

Further Education

Courses, such as the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, Boat DiverPhotography, SMB Diver or Underwater Naturalist Diver Specialties can be completed while on board at a discounted price, so get in touch to arrange your course and trip schedule.

Let us know you want to join us! Simply send us a UK Trip Booking Form  and completed UK Trip Medical Questionnaire.

Your place will be confirmed on receipt of the booking form, medical questionnaire and deposit. Please get in touch to inquire about spaces and prices for non-divers.

NHDC Dive Society members will get advance notice and priority booking.

Get in touch for our bank account details or to make payment over the phone.

Deposit: £95 for divers. Please note, this is required to secure your accommodation & place on the dive boat and is non-refundable.

Arrangement Fee: FREE for NHDC Dive Society members, £20 for non-dive society members, £10 for non-divers.

Balance Payment: Balance payments will be required 6 weeks prior to departure. Payment plans can be arranged; please get in touch to discuss options for setting up a payment plan.

Transport is to be arranged privately – New Horizons can help with car sharing, so please let us know if you can offer anyone a lift.

Insurance

To go on this trip you must have travel and diving accident insurance. You can book your insurance with Dive Master Insurance through the New Horizons website and save 5%. Simply go to the bottom of our homepage and click on the link to Dive Master Insurance and SAVE 5% – it couldn’t be easier.