Scuba Diving Conditions Report for South Wales, Cardiff, Swansea, Llanelli region
Date - 22nd June 2018
ACTIVITIES - Scuba Diving, Sub Aqua, Scuba, Free Diving, Snorkelling
LOCAL AREA - South Wales, Cardiff CF10 , Porthcawl CF36 , SwanseaSA1 , Bridgend, Southerndown, Ogmore by Sea, Llantwitt Major, Aberavon SA12, Stackpole Quay, Llanelli,
SITE LOCATION - Sker Beach, Limeslade Bay, langland Bay, Oxwich Bay, Stackpole Quay
WEATHER - Very Sunny and high temperatures for the next few days, winds are light up to Wednesday, dry and clear (http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2648385?day=2) (https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/gcjqmsw80)
WATER TEMPERATURE - 14 Degrees
WIND - Lite winds for the next few days only picking up around Wednesday next week, lowest 2 and highest 20 on Wednesday and Thursday (https://magicseaweed.com/Southerndown-Surf-Report/4321/)
SEA STATE AND SWELL - Calm Seas, light swells, changing possibly on Wednesday to local chop and whipped up surface (https://magicseaweed.com/Southerndown-Surf-Report/4321/)
SWELL - 1ft
High | 2:00AM | 8.24m |
Low | 8:27AM | 2.6m |
High | 2:41PM | 8.04m |
Low | 8:52PM | 2.74m |
First Light | 4:06AM |
Sunrise | 4:55AM |
Sunset | 9:39PM |
Last Light | 10:27PM
|
Visibility - 2-5 meters
Scuba Diving Report for South Wales, Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, Porthcawl, Port talbot, Stcakpole Quay
Conditions are looking very good for the next few days, light winds, calm seas, afternoon tides, little swell so the perfect conditions for scuba diving in the South Wales region. All sites close to Cardiff, Swansea, Llanelli and Stackpole Quay should be working well, maybe changing on Wednesday when the winds start picking up.
This is the time to use the PADI Open Water Diver qualification to sample sea diving at its best in the UK. For those more adventureous then the PADI Advanced Open Water course may be more suitable.
High winds, big swells, big tides, limited visibility pretty much somes up the conditions for the scuba diving across South Wales including the Cardiff, Bridgend, Swansea area's. We need a period of calm for the diving conditions to clear and bring the visibility to an acceptable level. Conditions are looking the same for the next few days so there will not be change across the region for some time.
Best option is to hed for the sheltered North facing beaches in Pembrokeshire including Martins Haven and St Brides, the other option as always is to go inland to the training sites in Chepstow and Somerset, but even they are getting poor viability due to the adverse conditions. and heavy rainfall.
PADI Scuba Diving Training and Courses in Cardiff, Swansea and across South Wales
Next weekend we will be running the PADI Open Water Diver Course, the PADI Scuba Diver course and the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course. The courses will be run in the pool at Hebron Hall in Cardiff with people attending from all over South Wales, Cardiff, Newport, Bridgend and Swansea. The courses will consist of swimming pool practical training and theory tests to establish the students ability to scuba dive in the Open Water anywhere in the world.
We shall keep you upto date with all the training as we progress over the next few weeks. Also check out the facebook site for course dates and details.
We could see acceptable conditions for Scuba Diving on the South Wales coast this weekend, with virtually no swell and although strong, the wind will be in an offshore direction. Some of our more sheltered bays, such as Caswell Bay in Swansea could offer decent conditions. There has been some rain and strong winds over the last few days, so you'll need to take visibility into account before any dive.
The big factor this weekend, as you can imagine at this time of year is the temperature. Water temperatures are going to have dropped significantly and surface temperatures are flirting with freezing now hear in South Wales. This isn't going to stop a dive, but you do need to properly plan you thermal protection for all parts of the day - before you dive, whilst in the water and after your dive. Dry suits, gloves, hoods, lots of layers, etc. Warm drinks will also help to warm you up whilst out of the water.
As always in South Wales there is always the option to head to an inland site, such as Chepstow or Vobster Quay but you'll have the same temperature concerns as on the South Wales coast.
Last weekend we were up at Chepstow running the PADI Advanced Open Water course, our last open water course of the year. Congratulations to Megan, Bradley, Megan and Alicia (yes, two Megans) on passing their PADI Advanced Open Water qualification. We look forward to seeing you again to continue your Scuba Diving adventures, possibly on the PADI Rescue Diver course?
Next weekend (3rd December) we're running our annual Christmas Jumper try dive event. All proceeds will be donated to the Save the Children charity, and you can come down to Hebron Hall in Cardiff (in your Christmas Jumper of course) and try our Scuba Diving for a donation to the charity (minimum £15). The dives are open to both unqualified and qualified divers. You can also speak to our instructors if you want any further information on the PADI Open Water Diver course, or any other of our courses.
CAUTIONS – It's all about the temperature at this time of year. Water temperatures are low and surface temperatures are threatening to reach zero, so your thermal protection is absolutely vital. Dry suits, gloves, hoods, layers, wind proof jackets, etc are all vital for any dive, coastal or inland.
Scuba Diving conditions report for Cardiff, Swansea, South Wales 11.03.2016 - The weather has definately settled over the past few days and looks clear for the next few days after. The wind has dropped and the swell has eased with settled conditions along the coastline. There could be a possibility of diving conditions being acceptable in regions of Swansea and South Wales over the next few days. The visibility may be poor due to the recent weather and sea movement but the water course should be safe and settled.
Areas of the mumbles in Swansea should suit best such as Oxwich bay which will see the better conditions though the next few days, areas such as stackpole quay further west should also have good settled conditions. The tide however is huge at the moment which should always be taken into consideration. We have had the biggest tides of the year over the past few days especially in areas around Cardiff and Swansea, up to 12 meters. This means the use of the rule of twelths is essential to predict the best dive times in the area, Generally the morning would be better with the tidal patterns and tidal streams.
We are running the PADI Open Water Diver course at the moment in Cardiff and Swansea to our new novice divers, the course will initially be held in the swimming pool in Cardiff and Swansea and then into the Open water for the full certification. The course will allow the students to dive worldwide up to 18 meters, we do however advise the divers as they are new to the experience be guided whilst developing there experience.
Scuba Diving Conditions report for Cardiff, Swansea and South Wales area - In all my days I don't think I can remember a winter like this one. We have had summer temperatures, floods, gales force winds, huge swells, freezing temperatures, warmer waters and this was only this week.
The conditions really are crazy at the moment and one thing is for sure, were not dining in the local area at the moment, the conditions are terrible. The swell this week on the coast has been huge, up to 15 foot waves with gale force winds hammering the South Wales coastline.
I would say the best option would be to fly off to Egypt to get some quality diving or even complete the PADI Open Water Diver course but that's not an option now, not with the troubles in the middle East at the moment. The only thing to do is to dive inland at one of the recognised diving facilities such as Chepstow or Vobster Quay. At least you can get a dive in here and the may even have good visibility.
Were heading off inland to teach the PADI Rescue Diver course on the weekend with Jess, James and Hector from Cardiff University and Dave from Swansea. The course has already been held in the swimming pool at Hebron Hall in Cardiff and at Cardiff University for the 1st Aid, were now completing the Open Water section of the course for the students to obtain there qualification.