Weymouth and Portland diving

JimRib · 26 April 2018, 12:48

Just after a bit of local / regular users info.
I’m planning on taking the rib for a dive trip to Weymouth area next weekend and just wandering what’s the better launching and overnight moorings ? Weymouth or Portland ? And any other recommendations

Budgie1 · 26 April 2018, 13:06

WPNSA have the best Facilities (IMO) and Marina next door for overnight berth Weymouth would be the cheaper option thou

CUSAC · 26 April 2018, 13:49

Cheapest launching option is Castletown on Portland (free) but no pontoon so fine if you have people to help. Overnight on pontoon is about £3 per metre at Portland Marina and free parking.

As said above WPNSA facilities are great but on the pricey side. Weymouth is ok but the hassle (bit of a walk to long stay) and cost of parking means I launch out of Portland despite being based in Weymouth. Slipway about £10 from Weymouth last time I used.

Pikey Dave · 26 April 2018, 14:40

You could also look at Bridport (west bay). You used to be able to launch from the boatyard at Ferrybridge, but this could be tricky depending on the tide running across the end of the slip, in/out of the Fleet. I’ve launched at all of them over the years, Castletown is OK if you have 4WD are handy reversing a trailer, parking can be tricky if its busy. The water sports centre (Osprey Quay?) is the best launch, but be prepared to sell a kidney or small child (I’d sell the small child, plenty more where it came from). Gone are the happy days when you could let rip in Portland Harbour or dive the Hood if everything else was blown out. IIRC you still need to pay harbour dues, even if you launch for free at Castletown, things might have changed, it’s been a while. Lovely area though.

JimRib · 26 April 2018, 15:06

Thanks chaps, sounds like Portland is looking best, any recommendations on what we should try and dive ?

Pikey Dave · 26 April 2018, 15:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimRib

Thanks chaps, sounds like Portland is looking best, any recommendations on what we should try and dive ?

Depends on what you're into. My favourite dive in the area is "The Bucaneer" about 10nm due south of Portland Bill. It's in about 45m & is(was) a superb dive.
There are scallops aplenty off Lulworth cove.

JimRib · 26 April 2018, 20:16

Scallops for tea sounds good, 45m is a bit much for this group but looking online there seems to be plenty of choice anything round 25m would be good.

jeffstevens763@g · 26 April 2018, 20:44

Portland is good shoot over to lulworth banks for a dive

Pikey Dave · 26 April 2018, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimRib

Scallops for tea sounds good, 45m is a bit much for this group but looking online there seems to be plenty of choice anything round 25m would be good.

We always preferred Lyme Bay, better choice IMO. Plenty to go at in the 20-30m range, scallops too. The Baygitano is in about 16m & is scallop city. The Gibel Hamam is interesting if not spooky. I'd have to look through my wreck book to refresh my memory.

oracle · 26 April 2018, 22:54

The Elena R, the Alex Van Opstel and the Binnedijk are all nice dives at around 30m but tides aren't great for them this weekend.

The best of those would be the Binnedijk at about 16.00 on Saturday but you'd need to be slick it's very near Springs on Saturday so slack will be short. You can get plenty more details off Skin deep or Underwater Explorers websites or drop me a pm.

Steve

oracle · 26 April 2018, 22:58

That's assuming you mean weekend 28th/29th of course. The following (Bank Holiday) weekend is much better all round for tides