Isles of Scilly
TSAC Dive Trip to the Scilly Isles 24-30th May 2025
On Friday 23rd May 5 TSAC members (+ 1 non-diving partner) drove to Penzance to stop overnight for beers, food and a bed at YHA Penzance, where we met up with the other 3 non TSAC divers on the trip. This is the first of two TSAC dive trips this year to the Scilly Isles organised by Sarah O’Neill.
On Saturday we were up early for a calm crossing on the 0645 Scillonian ferry to St Marys, and from there to St Martins to dive with Isles of Scilly Dive Charters on their boat Morvoren. In the afternoon we installed ourselves in accommodation provided as part of the dive charter, which consists of 2 double bedrooms, a triple bedroom and a twin room, with 2 bathrooms and large lounge/kitchen area.
After eating (and drinking) Saturday night in the islands only pub (The 7 Stones), we were up early on Sunday to dive Gap Point (25-6m, 36-47min) and Lady Charlotte wreck (25-6m, 42-3min) on the southside of St Marys. Some of us were spoilt with a significant encounter with a playful seal. We self-catered that night with Ray and Sarah doing the honours.
Monday and Tuesday however saw the wind increase and prevent us diving. So, on Monday 4 of us took a small boat via St Marys to Tresco (next island to St Martins) to walk approx. ¾ way around the island on a fine blustery day, followed by an excellent Curry Night at Polreath Tea Rooms in the evening.
On Tuesday the winds increased to force 7 gusting 9, so we couldn’t leave the island so walked around the leeward side to end to a mid-afternoon cream tea at Little Arthurs Café, before fish and chips at Adams that night.
Wednesday brought better weather, and we dived the Cita wreck (27-8m, 38-42min) and then the ‘The Cable’ reef (23-5m, 40-2min) in the Eastern Islands with Paula and Paul providing a tasty sausage & chorizo casserole that night.
On Thursday we dived ‘Sponge Hill’ (28m, 40min) and ‘Sponge in the Bay (GPS21)’ (20-4m, 42min) again on the south side of St Marys (in the lee of the wind that day), with Phil and Ang making us a fine dinner that night.
Friday saw us finish diving with the Daymark Deep Ledges (28-9m, 36-43min) and Jo’s Reef (25-7m, 35-6min) to the north of St Martins, which were a riot of colour and marine wildlife activity our dives in a spectacular way. We packed our bags Friday night ready before dining again at Little Arthurs Café.
On our final day (Saturday) we had an early (0800) small boat return to St Marys for another calm crossing on the 1000 ferry back to Penzance. 5 of us undertook the drive to get us home for nightfall (the 3 non-TSAC divers staying on for another weeks diving, the other staying in Cornwall).
Everyone really enjoyed their time on St Martins, with plenty of walking on the 2 days of winds (and swell), it is a unique place to visit and dive, highly recommended! Our non-diver enjoyed herself finding plenty of activities to entertain her while we were away diving!
Thanks to Paul Tweedale for the article.
