Llaneilian Bay – Anglesey
We have been meaning to head back to Anglesey for a year or so, but as with everything Covid, the trips had dropped off the horizon. Finally getting ourselves into gear we organised six of us to meet at the traditional golden M on the A55 (McDonald’s – Google Maps).
One susage and egg McMuffin meal later we headed off to Anglesey and our detination, Llaneilian Bay or Porth Eilian depending on preference
On arrival we unload at the bottom of the road and then park the cars in the free parking about 100m up hill, just past the toilets.
The plan is two dives. they will be in quick succession as the tide is near to the turn and we wont be getting below 10 meters.
Kitting up takes place on the beach and then we make our way down to the left hand side to get our fins on. The dive is simple. Head north following the coastline and then head due East once the depth gets to about 8 meters. This takes us over a rocky reef with plenty of life. our main hope being to find dogfish.
Dogfish are normally in plentiful supply and we soon come across our first. They lie completely still and are often easily overlooked as their camouflage fits in well with the kelps, rocky sea bed. Carefully we swim up and take several photos before it swims off and then settles 6/7 meters away. Following it for a while we come across another and then, having adjusted to their tricks they can be seen in plentiful supply. In addition there are the usual lobsters, crabs, wrasse etc.
The highlight comes just after we turn SW to head home, this is a dogfish egg attached to some weed. Holding the torch behind it the embryo can be seen wriggling inside. Over this and the next dive we come across four of these.
Lunch is a simple fare of pork pies and coffee back at the carpark.
The great point about these dives is we don’t have to have a long surface interval as we aren’t going deep. Soon we are kiting up for a second dive, most of us using one tank for two dives. The route this time is a reverse of the first but starting from the far side of the bay.
This dive also highlighted the importance of bringing an ’emergencies’ kit when we had to carry out running changes and fixes to get one our team in the water.
Once again dogfish and their eggs are in plentiful supply but this time a great many more small schools of fish are seen. The dive is over too soon and we break down the kit while waiting for the stragglers to complete their dives.
A great days diving and good company, next one is the 6th May.
