Lundy Island

On 13^th August 98 a few Totnes divers were able to visit and dive Lundy Island. We were hosted by Keith Denby and Jack Stocks from the BSAC Ilfracombe Club. We used their rather nice hard boat. For many of us Lundy was virgin territory, and a site that we wanted to do for quite some time. Although Lundy is in Devon, it is quite different from the South Devon haunts that we are used to.

We departed from Ilfracombe harbour at 9.00. The journey is just under 25 miles and took a little over an hour. Soon the island loomed up. Lundy is small (3 miles long) but high and impressive. It lies in a North-South axis which means that in most conditions there will always be a lee shore in which to dive. On the way over we could clearly see how the clearer Atlantic water was replacing the browner waters of the Bristol Channel. Tides are quite strong in this area.

We anchored just outside Rat Island and began to plan our dives. The conditions allowed us to dive the more exposed westward side so after a swift cuppa we went round to the NW side of the island. Lundy from this aspect is quite spectacular. Loadsa rock slides, and we were regaled with quite a few stories about what went on here in years long gone past. Alan, our diver climber, got quite reminiscent about his previous climbing adventures here. No matter – diving called. We were encouraged by a couple of basking sharks just moseying around. Plus a sunfish or two. 

Our dive was near the Long Roost site. This turned out to be diving along granitic canyons well plastered with colourful soft corals and nosy wrasse. There was a fair current flowing and the scenery was quite excellent. Lots to explore although you needed to be aware of your compass and the direction of the current. There were some excellent mounts from which you launch yourself over deeper water to reach others. Quite exciting. 

Back on the boat, Jack took us round to the eastern side of the island. This aspect of the island is less exposed and the waters were calmer. Quite a few seals inspected us perfunctorily. We took the Rib out for a short voyage around Gannets Rock. Even more seals viewed us in a leisurely way. We landed on the island for a short while.

Our second dive called. Some of us elected to dive the wrecks of the Robert and the nearby Iona. The Robert was wrecked in the late 1970’s as a result of cargo shifting. She was sailing from Cardiff. The Iona has a rather more alluring history. Apparently she was commisioned as a result of the American Conferendancy squabbles, but far from America she sank in the Bristol Channel. She is a lovely dive – festooned with soft corals and dead man’s fingers. The Robert is an altogether harder wreck, with many inquisitive congers that just curiously eye you as you swim past their lairs. The other dive was a dive off Gannet’s Rock. This turned out to be a mild drift dive off a continuing drop off. The scenery was excellent, with plenty of fish, colour and dark drop offs. Although the actual distance covered round the headland wasn’t huge there was lots to see. Very varied and utterly memorable.

Reluctantly, we turned the boat back to Ilfracombe. Our day at Lundy was hopefully just a taster of the diving potential of the island.

Many thanks to Jack and Keith who guided our day at Lundy so nicely.

 

More information.

Ilfracombe and North Devon BSAC Lundy Island

Richard Knights - Aug 1998