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Diving around an Island on the edge of the Atlantic is not for the faint
hearted! Its location means that you have to go out of your way to get
here. The journey can often be rough and weather conditions can change
from one minute to the next; and there are very strong tidal currents
so you have to know the right state of tide to dive each site. But with
marine life second to none, spectacular scenery both above and below the
water, a selection of readily
accessible wrecks and playful resident seals it is well worth the effort!
The following should give you the information you need to organise a dive
holiday to Lundy. If you need any further information then e-mail
the Warden or phone for a chat on
(01237) 431831 ext 225. The Warden oversees the day to day management
of the Marine Nature Reserve and is always pleased to give advice and
information to ensure that your holiday is a success.
As just about all the diving around the Island is boat diving, most divers
come out on one of the dive charter boats that work the area and a few
bring their own boats. Hiring a charter boat makes life easier as the
skippers know the dive sites, the right state of tide to dive them and
they are the ones that have to find a sheltered anchorage if the weather
turns nasty! A lot of divers come to Lundy just for a weekend but for
many this is not nearly long enough to experience everything that Lundy
has to offer so they stay for a week. Staying on the Island maximises
the time you spend diving and minimises travel time, and Lundy can house
up to 140 people at once, either in self-catering properties or camping.
However, it does get full up in the season so it is advisable to book
well in advance
Being a small Island, Lundy has limited accommodation
and other facilities which does make organising a dive holiday somewhat
complicated. Here is a checklist of what you need to do:
Contact the Landmark Booking Office (01628) 825 925) or the Lundy Shore
Office
01271 863636 to see what accommodation is available, this can be provisionally
booked for up to 7 days.
Contact a dive charter boat operator and book their services.
Send your completed dive facilities booking form to the Warden.
: We have a Beach Building which was built with divers in mind and offers: lockable storage/changing areas for two dive parties; tea and coffee making facilities; fresh water for washing kit; and a compressor and air bank. Use of the storage/changing rooms etc. is FREE provided the dive group books air fills with the Warden. If alternative compressor arrangements have been made there is a fee of £1.80 per diver per night. If you would like to use any of the dive facilities then you must book this well in advance by contacting the Warden and returning a completed booking form.
The Island ’s compressor can supply air to 232 bar, bottles will be filled for you by island staff. We have adaptors for 232 bar and 300 bar DIN bottles but we do not have a filter for oxygen clean air so please bring your own filters if required. Bottles that are out of test or where the charging pressure cannot be read will not be filled so please make sure test stamps are easily readable to avoid disappointment.
2007 Prices for fills are as follows, with the discounted prices for those staying on Lundy:
15L @ £5.45 (£5.00 Resident)
12L @ £4.70 (£4.40 Resident)
10L @ £4.00 (£3.85 Resident)
Pony @ £3.20 (£3.00 Resident)
If you would like your bottles filled you should arrange this in advance by returning the completed booking form.
There is no diving equipment for hire or sale on the Island so please make sure you have all your kit plus spares with you.
Accommodation is available at various levels of price and comfort in the island’s 23 self catering properties, there are also camping facilities. Details can be found on our website or from our accommodation brochure (call (01271) 863 636).
: You can get to the Island by various ways. Most divers come out on one of the charter boats that regularly work around the Island. However, you may wish to come out on your own boat or bring your RIB or inflatable on our supply ship, the MS Oldenburg. If you do decide to dive from your own boat then be aware that conditions around Lundy can change very quickly and make sure that you carry all the appropriate safety equipment including a VHF radio or other means of communication.
: Fares and sailing times for the Oldenburg are contained within the accommodation brochure. If you would like to transport your own RIB/inflatable aboard the Oldenburg , deck space must be booked via the Shore Office by ‘phoning (01271) 863 636. The cost is £100.00 per boat. There is a luggage allowance of 20kg per person on the Oldenburg and anyone carrying luggage in excess of this will be charged accordingly. Personal diving equipment such as tanks, weights etc. do not come under excess luggage (you’ll be pleased to hear!), there is a fixed rate of £12 per person for this. We cannot be responsible for any damage or loss caused to boats or equipment during shipment or whilst on Lundy so please ensure your belongings are insured for the holiday.
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: We are severely limited in the amount of petrol that we can bring to the Island and we cannot offer it for sale other than in an emergency. If you are bringing your own boat you must organise to bring sufficient fuel for your stay. If you are using the Oldenburg , speak to them well in advance because they are restricted in the hazardous goods they can carry. Diesel may still be ordered in advance.
If you arrive on anything but the Oldenburg there is a £3.50 per head admission fee to pay (this is included in the price of an Oldenburg ticket). This will be in added to your air/dive facilities bill. National Trust members get in free on production of membership card. Sometimes the weather prevents small boats like the charter boats or RIBs from getting to the Island so please make sure you arrange your own insurance as we cannot refund the cost of your accommodation unless you travel on the Oldenburg. Also be advised that there is a steep walk of about a mile from the jetty to the village. We are able to transport your luggage to your property at a fixed rate of £2 per person (minimum fee of £10) to cover use of the Landrover (again included in the price of an Oldenburg ticket).
There are two independent charter boats that work around the Island sailing from Clovelly:
Jessica Hettie, takes up to 6 divers, the skipper is Clive Pearson on (01237) 431405 or (07774) 190 359.
Lundy Murrelet, takes up to 12 divers, the skipper is Colin Eastman on (01237) 431875 or (07974) 805 086.
And one from Ilfracombe:
Obsession, takes up to 12 divers, the skipper is Andrew Bengey on (01271) 866325 or (07971) 462024
If you do decided to use one of these boats please remember that they are privately owned and run and so neither the Landmark Trust nor the Lundy Company can accept responsibility on their behalf. It is always advisable to check insurance and licensing whenever chartering a boat.
There are private moorings in the Landing Bay, please consult a member of Island staff on arrival to establish which mooring is available. Mooring is at your own risk. The Landing Bay provides a sheltered anchorage when the winds are from the western quarter, but is vulnerable to winds from all other directions. During adverse conditions inflatables can be hauled out of the water but this is not practical for RIBs. Any vessel wishing to place a temporary mooring in the waters around Lundy MUST ask permission from the Warden.
Any visiting group must nominate a diving officer to organise and supervise the group’s own diving safety. This is the person the Warden will liaise with and ask them to ensure that the whole group is aware that they are diving in a MNR and that they stick to the code of conduct outlined in the zoning scheme enclosed. The general policy is “Take only photos, leave only bubbles” now backed-up by a bylaw banning all fishing and collection of animals in the so called “No Take Zone” off the east side of the Island .
Lundy is subject to fierce tidal races and sudden changes in weather which make it no place for inexperienced divers. The use of permanent surface marker buoys is strongly recommended. Persons diving off Lundy do so at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety. The Landmark Trust and the Lundy Company accept no responsibility or liability for injuries or accidents which occur when diving in the waters around Lundy.
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