We could see acceptable conditions for Scuba Diving on the South Wales coast this weekend. Swell is set to be low and we have North / North East winds, which should keep the swell low. We have had some fairly unsettled conditions recently and are expecting some more heavy rain on Friday so visibility could be a problem.
For the best conditions head to the more sheltered bays, such as Stackpole Quay and Oxwich Bay and always remember the rule of twelfths, ensuring you dive on the incoming tide. Be aware of wind direction changing, Southerlies and Westerlies could lead to unacceptable conditions, and increasing swell size, particularly for a shore dive.
If you want to be confident of getting a dive in, the best option is to head inland. The National Diving and Activity Centre (NDAC) in Chepstow will offer diving less affected by the environmental conditions.
The instructors have been travelling all over the UK these last weeks, putting on PADI Open Water Diver courses for schools across the South East of England. This weekend they're having a break from training but will be back next weekend taking students through the referral part of the PADI Open Water Diver qualification. We also have some Advanced Open Water course coming up in June.
CAUTIONS – We're still going to need to take sensible precautions with regards to thermal protection as water temperatures are still going to be quite low. If you are planning to dive off the coast in South Wales, ensure you are aware of the changing conditions, making sure you know the conditions for both the beginning and the end of the dive.