Skokholm Island also has a range of diving sites. It is outside the marine reserve, due south of Skomer Island, and is an ideal place to dive in NW winds, or when you’re launching from Dale but want to get out of the Haven. Plenty to see, although the visibility is sometimes affected by to ebbing tide out of the Haven.

Seal Bay

On the SE side of the Island, sheltered from westerly and northerly winds, there is a small cove where there are plenty of seals to see. Not deep, around 8-10 meters, and there’s a channel cut between the main island and the rock, allowing divers through on a high tide. Great little spot but due to the shallow nature of the dive, definitely a second dive of the day. Lots of boulders around as you come away from the island, and an unusual amount of cuckoo wrasse and other fish species tend to hang here.

TIPS: Be mindful of putting an SMB up, as you’ll be amongst the kelp and boulders most of the time if you’re after playing with the seals. A novice dive most of the time. Visibility can be mediocre depending on the state of the tide and what’s coming out of the haven.

Skokholm Wall

Down from the lighthouse you’ll see the cliffs are quite steep, well sheltered from the N & NE wind. The submerged wall here drops to 30 m and is very shear, so watch your buoyancy. The current can be quite strong at times too, which makes for an excellent drift dive if providing your heading eastwards, and not westwards towards Ireland. There are remnants of a wreck here, called ‘The Bury’, (an anchor, a prop, and the area is strewn with bricks).

To locate the wreck, drop in just right of the lighthouse and about 10m from the cliffs. Drift eastwards and you’ll come across her. The wall is also covered with wreckage from at least another two wrecks. What’s good about this site is that it has something for most. A bit of wreckage and some really cool gullies with an abundance of life.

TIPS: Definitely have a look at the site first to see the strength of the current. If the wind is W or S, you may find this a bit too lumpy to dive. Another dive to pick your profile on and stick to it, avoiding the ‘call of the deep’! Always carry a delayed SMB with you as when your doing your safety stops you could end up anywhere. An intermediate dive site most of the time.

Skokholm Reef East

There is a shallow area east of Skokholm, where a cannon was allegedly seen at 20 meters. The exact location is unknown, as the divers who originally found it, have tried many times to find it again without luck. Some of the local operators are exploring the area to see if they can find it. Don’t know if it’s a wind up, but is certainly worth a dip, as there are interested alleys and swim throughs to be found.

TIPS: Be careful of currents, and during spring tides you’d be better beware! Look at the site first to see the strength of the current. Unfortunately, you’ll only be sheltered somewhat from the east, so it’s a dive to pick when conditions are favourable. Always carry a delayed SMB with you as when your doing your safety stops you could end up anywhere. An intermediate dive most of the time.

Skokholm Reef North

On the NE side, there is a reef system that extends out from the island running in a N/NE direction. You end up about 100m away from Skokholm, and at anywhere between 15m-25m. Fantastically cut alleyways and gullies, and a huge variety of fish life and crustaceans. You can get about 30m here but the good stuff seems to be between 15m-20m. Gorgonian sea fans, dogfish and nudibranchs galore! Best to head back eastwards, as you’ll see on the surface that slightly west of here is where the current splits as it hits Skokholm.

TIPS: Be careful of currents again, and during spring tides be extra cautious! Look at the site first to see where the current splits and our advice would be to head eastwards during the dive. Always carry a delayed SMB with you as when your doing your safety stops you could end up anywhere. An intermediate dive most of the time, although in good conditions, guided novice divers would be okay.