SHEEPHAVEN divers were in the water last Monday, Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday which resulted in boat dives in Lough Swilly and off Melmore Head.
The Lough Swilly dives are very much affected by the in-water visibility and when it is good there a choice of excellent sites. However, if there are strong tidal currents, northerly swells or heavy rainfall run-off the visibility can be compromised very quickly.
Dives at Macamish Fort, Knockalla, Swilly Rocks, Dunree Fort, Farmers Rock or near Rathmullan Pier have all produced great dives in the past and with water temperatures of 14 degrees celsius there would be high level of expectation that they would deliver again in the future.
In general, dive depths can be as deep as 25 metres with surface to surface times of over 40 metres being comfortably achieved.
The Melmore dive on Saturday morning was in good weather conditions that produced excellent in-water conditions, which allowed the divers to get onto the furthermost end of the headland.
Only in good weather is there access to this dive site, but it is well worth the effort when the opportunity arises.
The site is along the rock wall of Melmore Head and falls off to a sandy seabed at a depth of nearly 30 metres.
On an incoming tide the divers can keep the rock wall on their right-hand side and over 30 minutes or so they will observe overhangs, gullies, a beautiful cave with its super chimney, a wreck and numerous marine species.
In the current water temperatures of 14 degrees celsius and when the sea is calm and there is good water visibility this is one of the best dive sites that Sheephaven divers have regular access too.
