Spring 2005

The new season is full swing with a mixed bag of weather on the East Coast so far. Our boats are back in the water and local dives are running as normal every weekend to the popular sites around Dalkey Island and the Mugglins. Our 2005 printed colour programme is available which lists most of our courses and events for the year so if you would like your own copy, just drop us an email and we will pop one in the post to you.

Red Sea Report

Our first big event for 2005 was a 10 day trip with 18 Irish divers to the Red Sea on board the Sea Serpent. We spent nearly a week at sea visiting the very best dive sites to be found far offshore and the quality of diving, along with luxury living topside, made the trip a lifetime experience.

The Sea Serpent is one of the best run liveaboard vessels in the area, she is timber built and equipped with en suite cabins for all passengers. The crew were superb, combining fantastic service and safe diving together with a quick humour which matched anything the Irish could produce! We completed over 16 dives in the time, using all the available daylight. This meant getting up some mornings at 5am to catch a dawn dive underwater! The visibility was frequently in excess of 30 meters and the drama of the underwater scenery combined with amazing marine life was absolutely stunning. Sharks were spotted on almost every dive along with every conceivable variety of fish and coral.

Follow the link to some great photos from the trip click

Red Sea Gallery

We have had such a good reaction from everybody that there is no doubt that a similar trip will be on next year's programme so start saving those euros now!

New Dive Centre for Mayo Islands

On the May Bank, we are off to Clare Island to join our good friend John McCabe at his new centre there. John, who is originally from the Islands, has been working towards providing a regular dive service for Clare Island and Inish Boffin. The May weekend will coincide with the launch of his dedicated dive boat "Fawnglass", there will be a brand new Bauer filling station as part of the operation with over 50 brand new cylinders all under the control of John's experienced hand. Both Islands offer some of the most exciting diving along the West Coast and we are really looking forward to being part of his first group. The package for the weekend will include 5 boat dives including all air at a cost of €175 per person. Accommodation is available by booking directly through the local B&Bs.

For full details of John McCabe's new centre log on to: islandswest.ie