Learn to dive in Sussex, Kent and Surrey with Sussex Scuba diving courses

Fantastic Weather

Fantastic accommodation

Great company...... even better diving

The first major trip of the year is the long awaited return to Pembroke. Everybody had high expectations, and we were not disappointed. Most peoples arrived late afternoon /early evening to be met with beautiful sunshine, quiet seas and good company. As you would expect we all quickly unpacked and went down to the local pub just to "test the waters". Everyone arrived at different times and we all relaxed outside the pub just 20m from the beautiful bay you see in the pictures. After a cock up on the catering front (I had booked a table for Saturday and not Friday !!!) we all managed to get some food and back to the lodge for a few games of snooker and an early night.

The first days diving was done in the Skomer nature reserve. Unfortunately when we arrived at the dock we discivered that Sam had forgotten his BCD (kids !!!) and I was forced to rent one for the weekend for him !!!! For the first dive the group split into two groups - one diving the wreck of the Lucy in 35m and the others diving the High Point, which was a very interesting reef at about 15m. Skomer is a protected nature reserve and thus has masses of sea life with particularly large crabs, and lobsters !! Visibility was reasonable at around 5-7m but not good enough for photographs. After this first dive and a surface interval to feed Jonathan the seagull. (Yes it really was a tame seagull that the skipper could identify from a flock of around a few hundred !! ) We decided to leave the nature reserve to enable us to catch some scallops for the barby planned for the evening. The second dive on Watic Reef was again very good but the dedicated hunter/gatherers didn't follow the course given and came back empty handed. It was left to the experts- Pat, Stef and of course me, to get enough for us to eat. As the weather was incredibly hot again we were forced to stop off and test out a couple of pubs and go to Asda to stock up for the evening.

The Dive lodge has an excellent garden area and gas barbecue where we spent an excellent evening with excellent food, beer and company.

Sunday was always the day when we planned to dive with the seals.. There are plenty around but it is picking the right site at the right time. Again we went back to Skomer and the first dive was at Rye Rocks. Whilst it was a good dive the seals weren't interested. After a short surface interval and again feeding Jonathan, we went around the island to Deadeye Wreck. A very secluded spot and yes we could see the seals. Whilst we were kitting up we also had a visit from Nelson- a one eyed seal. He came right to the side of the boat to enquire what was going on. Two people, who shall remain nameless, (Gareth and Andy) once again didn't follow the briefing and as a result that didn't see any seals, not even Nelson who was about 1m from the boat. The rest of us saw them close by at the surface, and also very close up under water. This was a fantastic dive on a fantastic site that made an excellent end to the weekend. After returning to shore and packing away all our gear, we were again forced to relax in a bar overlooking the marina. Everyone seemed to have the same idea at the same time.. Why don't we stay another night !!!! After a brief conversation, common sense (sadly ) took over and we were all forced to start the long journey home. The weekend had been very enjoyable and also very relaxing. I think this is set to become an annual event. So if you would like to come next year keep an eye on the website. So onto the pictures

Some of the younger and better looking members of the group

Look at the weather !!

The same site at sunset !!!!

Sadly - They can't keep up the pace

Gary and Simon decide to keep Verity company in her hot air balloon

Denise determined to look happy for once !!