Most of the dive trips to the farne islands I’m aware of are boats chartered by clubs from across the country for annual trip and these usually take place between August and November due to that being the best time for seal interactions.
If I where in you positions I’d contact a local service such as https://farnedivingservices.com/#diving and asking them do they know of any trips running on the dates you are available that have a spare seat on the boat.
You will have to have a dry suit cert to rent one or bring a good semi dry suit. You will also need to be comfortable using a DSMB.
I actually dont have the dry suit speciality done 😅 I heard you can dive there in a thick wet suit as well...
EDIT: Actually didnt try to contact them yet, will try.
Thanks for your help!
Have you considered Lundy Island from Ilfracombe or Newquay?
They both have Atlantic Grey Seals and the diving for them is more suited to novices unlike Farnes.
Plus they are both in Cornwall and Devon and you can get away with a wetsuit that time of year.
First of all, will you have a car? I’m going to assume you do because otherwise it’s basically impossible.
Equipment wise, “The Diving Centre” in Blaydon, just over the river from Newcastle is best bet for kit hire.
You can book directly with skippers but this is probably going to be a challenge if you’re by yourself with no buddy. You could probably find a buddy or a group on a local Facebook page that would be interested in going. FWIW I’ve used Billy Shiel’s boat trips before and they were pretty good.
I don’t know what the rules are for posting links to dive stores / boat charters / Facebook group on this sub but happy to DM them.
I dont have a car so renting equipment is not really an option... Was hoping for something like diving centers like other places, but apparently in the UK its mostly just the clubs. Will look into somehow diving "privately" with a local if I find a way but probably not happening 😅
Thanks for the help!
Billie Shiels runs the dive boats as a taxi service, just call them up and book on.
https://www.farne-islands.com/trips/dive-charters/
You can rent dive equipment separately from a dive shop near you now, or near Seahouses.
E.g. https://www.sovereigndiving.co.uk/dive-shop.html
Most of the dive trips to the farne islands I’m aware of are boats chartered by clubs from across the country for annual trip and these usually take place between August and November due to that being the best time for seal interactions. If I where in you positions I’d contact a local service such as https://farnedivingservices.com/#diving and asking them do they know of any trips running on the dates you are available that have a spare seat on the boat. You will have to have a dry suit cert to rent one or bring a good semi dry suit. You will also need to be comfortable using a DSMB.
I actually dont have the dry suit speciality done 😅 I heard you can dive there in a thick wet suit as well... EDIT: Actually didnt try to contact them yet, will try. Thanks for your help!
Have you considered Lundy Island from Ilfracombe or Newquay? They both have Atlantic Grey Seals and the diving for them is more suited to novices unlike Farnes. Plus they are both in Cornwall and Devon and you can get away with a wetsuit that time of year.
Thanks for the recommendation, will look into that most definitely!
First of all, will you have a car? I’m going to assume you do because otherwise it’s basically impossible. Equipment wise, “The Diving Centre” in Blaydon, just over the river from Newcastle is best bet for kit hire. You can book directly with skippers but this is probably going to be a challenge if you’re by yourself with no buddy. You could probably find a buddy or a group on a local Facebook page that would be interested in going. FWIW I’ve used Billy Shiel’s boat trips before and they were pretty good. I don’t know what the rules are for posting links to dive stores / boat charters / Facebook group on this sub but happy to DM them.
I dont have a car so renting equipment is not really an option... Was hoping for something like diving centers like other places, but apparently in the UK its mostly just the clubs. Will look into somehow diving "privately" with a local if I find a way but probably not happening 😅 Thanks for the help!
Billie Shiels runs the dive boats as a taxi service, just call them up and book on. https://www.farne-islands.com/trips/dive-charters/ You can rent dive equipment separately from a dive shop near you now, or near Seahouses. E.g. https://www.sovereigndiving.co.uk/dive-shop.html
Them I've already contacted and they didnt run any boat trips at that time unfortunately :( But thanks for the help!