UK Diving Places To Dive

Steeped in history and legend, the Calf is little more than one-and-a-half miles at its widest, and has a total area of only 600 acres, yet in its time it has supported the world's largest population of Manx shearwaters, a population of 30 farm-workers, lighthouse keepers, shipwrecked sailors and mythical pirates, a monk and - so the story goes - a collection of mischievous fairies!

The intriguing name of the Burroo came from the Vikings, and derives from the Scandinavian word 'borg', meaning small, round hill. The whole south-west area of the Isle of Man is a special place for marine life. In order to ensure its survival, many would like to see the Calf area designated a Marine Nature Reserve. The Isle of Man is in the Irish Sea, and can be reached by ferry or plane. There are around 20 flights a day from Dublin and numerous airports in the UK into Ronaldsway airport in Castletown with Manx Airlines (tel: 0345 256256 for flight enquiries and reservations). Ferries arrive in Douglas, which is the main town on the east coast of the island, from Liverpool, Heysham or Dublin: call the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company for details (tel: 01624 661661). Private charter companies also run dive trips to the island from Ireland and south-west Scotland.

Good roads present easy access to the south-west of the island, where accommodation and boat-launching facilities can be found in the two main towns in the area, Port Erin and Port St Mary. Boats can be launched from both places, although at Port Erin a four wheel drive can be useful to get out of soft sand at low water. Burroo Rock is about a 15-minute ride from the coast.

There are places to park boat trailers at either port, and there is visitor mooring at Port Erin, as well as a small jetty for loading purposes. The slip at Port St Mary is also used by the lifeboat, so trailers and boats should not be left obstructing it.

Quick meals: The Calf Sound Cafe, which overlooks the Calf of Man, is a good stop-off place between dives, and serves a famous fresh crab soup. The chip-shop owner at Port St Mary boasts that he makes the best chips on the island, and there is also the convenient Beachcomber Cafe near the slip at Port Erin. Sunday lunch: The carvery at the Falcon's Nest Hotel, Port Erin is particularly good. The bar specialises in single malt whiskies, and has a spectacular outlook, especially when the sun is setting.

The seafronts at Port Erin and Port St Mary both have a number of old-fashioned hotels where diving parties are welcome, including:

Balmoral in Port Erin (tel: 01624 833126), run by Peter Crellin, which provides comfortable, diver-friendly accommodation and can cater for parties of up to 24. B&B costs from £17.50 to £21 and evening meals can be provided for an extra £8.50 per person;

Shore Hotel, Gansey, Port St Mary (tel: 01624 832269). Bed and breakfast only available - double rooms £30; single rooms £25;

Bay View Hotel, Port St Mary (tel: 01624 832234), run by Louise Darnill. B&B from £20 per night; special rates for diving parties of six and over of £15 per person per night; evening meals are approximately £5;

Albert Hotel, Port St Mary (tel: 01624 832118), a small, family-run business owned by Peter Holt, catering for up to nine people at a time. B&B is £15; evening meals are approximately £4. Further accommodation details from Isle of Man Tourist Information Centre (tel: 01624 686766).

Diving Air Services Douglas (tel: 01624 628123), both supply air and boat trips to dive sites. Nitrox courses are available at Aquatech.

Decompression facilities, at Douglas, are co-ordinated through the coastguard: dial 999 or VHF Channel 16, or contact on (01624) 626394.

The Isle of Man is home to several world-famous road-racing events, particularly the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy. If you like the smell of high-performance motorbikes and a good-natured party atmosphere, diving during the Tourist Trophy can add a spectacular array of apres-dive activities in Douglas. Access is difficult during road races, though, so it's best to avoid diving at this time unless you have a hard boat.

Dive Sites and Marine Life of the Calf of Man and Neighbouring Area by Bill Sanderson, Bruce McGregor and Andrew Brierley (£9.95, Immel Publications). Additional research by Bruce McGregor, Andy Brierley and Rupert Lewis.

BURROO ROCK	page - 1 \| 2
Steeped in history and legend, the Calf is little more than one-and-a-half miles at its widest, and has a total area of only 600 acres, yet in its time it has supported the world's largest population of Manx shearwaters, a population of 30 farm-workers, lighthouse keepers, shipwrecked sailors and mythical pirates, a monk and - so the story goes - a collection of mischievous fairies! The intriguing name of the Burroo came from the Vikings, and derives from the Scandinavian word 'borg', meaning small, round hill. The whole south-west area of the Isle of Man is a special place for marine life. In order to ensure its survival, many would like to see the Calf area designated a Marine Nature Reserve. The Isle of Man is in the Irish Sea, and can be reached by ferry or plane. There are around 20 flights a day from Dublin and numerous airports in the UK into Ronaldsway airport in Castletown with Manx Airlines (tel: 0345 256256 for flight enquiries and reservations). Ferries arrive in Douglas, which is the main town on the east coast of the island, from Liverpool, Heysham or Dublin: call the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company for details (tel: 01624 661661). Private charter companies also run dive trips to the island from Ireland and south-west Scotland. Good roads present easy access to the south-west of the island, where accommodation and boat-launching facilities can be found in the two main towns in the area, Port Erin and Port St Mary. Boats can be launched from both places, although at Port Erin a four wheel drive can be useful to get out of soft sand at low water. Burroo Rock is about a 15-minute ride from the coast. There are places to park boat trailers at either port, and there is visitor mooring at Port Erin, as well as a small jetty for loading purposes. The slip at Port St Mary is also used by the lifeboat, so trailers and boats should not be left obstructing it. FOOD Quick meals: The Calf Sound Cafe, which overlooks the Calf of Man, is a good stop-off place between dives, and serves a famous fresh crab soup. The chip-shop owner at Port St Mary boasts that he makes the best chips on the island, and there is also the convenient Beachcomber Cafe near the slip at Port Erin. Sunday lunch: The carvery at the Falcon's Nest Hotel, Port Erin is particularly good. The bar specialises in single malt whiskies, and has a spectacular outlook, especially when the sun is setting. ACCOMMODATION The seafronts at Port Erin and Port St Mary both have a number of old-fashioned hotels where diving parties are welcome, including: Balmoral in Port Erin (tel: 01624 833126), run by Peter Crellin, which provides comfortable, diver-friendly accommodation and can cater for parties of up to 24. B&B costs from £17.50 to £21 and evening meals can be provided for an extra £8.50 per person; Shore Hotel, Gansey, Port St Mary (tel: 01624 832269). Bed and breakfast only available - double rooms £30; single rooms £25; Bay View Hotel, Port St Mary (tel: 01624 832234), run by Louise Darnill. B&B from £20 per night; special rates for diving parties of six and over of £15 per person per night; evening meals are approximately £5; Albert Hotel, Port St Mary (tel: 01624 832118), a small, family-run business owned by Peter Holt, catering for up to nine people at a time. B&B is £15; evening meals are approximately £4. Further accommodation details from Isle of Man Tourist Information Centre (tel: 01624 686766). DIVE OPERATORS Aquatech Diving Services, Port St Mary (tel: 01624 833037), Diving Air Services Douglas (tel: 01624 628123), both supply air and boat trips to dive sites. Nitrox courses are available at Aquatech. Decompression facilities, at Douglas, are co-ordinated through the coastguard: dial 999 or VHF Channel 16, or contact on (01624) 626394. THE ISLE OF MAN TOURIST TROPHY The Isle of Man is home to several world-famous road-racing events, particularly the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy. If you like the smell of high-performance motorbikes and a good-natured party atmosphere, diving during the Tourist Trophy can add a spectacular array of apres-dive activities in Douglas. Access is difficult during road races, though, so it's best to avoid diving at this time unless you have a hard boat. FURTHER READING Dive Sites and Marine Life of the Calf of Man and Neighbouring Area by Bill Sanderson, Bruce McGregor and Andrew Brierley (£9.95, Immel Publications). Additional research by Bruce McGregor, Andy Brierley and Rupert Lewis.
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