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ISSUE 10 ARCHIVE - A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE ISLE OF MANJust look at a map and there really is no surprise that the Isle of Man can offer up some top diving, with reefs, wrecks, adrenaline pumping drifts, caves, playful seals and one of the best places in the UK to spot basking sharks in the spring and summer months. One top tip, keep clear between the 6th and 11th June when motorbikes invade the island like some pestilent plague – unless you're joining in for the high speed, thirty-seven mile mountain course for the annual TT Motorbike races. Most of the diving on the Isle of Man operates from the southern end of the island from either Port Erin or Port St Mary. |
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Food & Booze Harbour Lights Cafe and Restaurant Established in 1996 this family run restaurant is situated in Port St Mary and was originally the Harbour Masters office and customs house. Offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, Harbour Lights pride themselves on making traditional recipes using quality local ingredients. Tel: 01624 832 064 Tanroagan An excellent seafood restaurant just by the Douglas yacht marina. Celebrities including Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor have also been known to eat here. The Manx Queenies (scallops) or lobster are well worth getting your chops around. Tel: 01624 612 355 |
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Horizons Restaurant Limited to only eight tables (so booking in the evening is advisable), chef Mark Hickey uses the best local ingredients including locally smoked salmon, crab and lobster caught straight off the local Isle of Man fishing boats every day in Port St Mary. Tel: 01624 834 040 The Albert / Bay View There are currently two pubs in Port St Mary, the Albert and the Bay View. Most locals and visitors drink in the Albert which overlooks the harbour and serves a range of Manx beers including Bushys & Okells with an open fire, pub food, pool table and accommodation. Bay View is popular free-trade pub in Port St Mary which boasts a beer garden, pool table, darts and also serves pub food. The Albert Tel: 01624 832 118 Bay View Tel: 01624 832 234 Falcon's Nest Hotel This free house pub in Port Erin overlooks the bay giving diners a spectacular view. There are two bars, an à la carte restaurant and a Sunday lunch carvery with light snacks being served in the lounge bar. Tel: 01624 834 077 A Good Night's Kip Both dive centres, Discover Diving and Isle of Man Diving Holidays offer self-catering accommodation. Other options include: The Balmoral Hotel in Port Erin is a small, family run hotel which is diver friendly, with beautiful views over the bay and a balcony for summer days and evenings. Tel: 01624 833 126 Turn back the clock at Aaron House and enjoy traditionally furnished rooms, wonderful home cooking, a timeless atmosphere and splendid sea views. Overlooks Chapel Bay and only a short walk to the harbour. Tel: 01624 835 702 Ard Beg, Ard Lee and Ard Mor are 18th century Manx cottages situated in a cobbled street, part of the Town's Conservation Area, near the inner harbour. Tel: 01624 825 399 Sleeping 10 – Cnoc Taigh offers a great 5 bedroom house just five minutes walk from Port Erin or Port St Mary. Tel: 01624 833 133 |
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Out and About If the picturesque village of Port St Mary or the breathtaking bay town of Port Erin are a little too tame for you then the Island's capital, Douglas, only half an hour drive away has much to offer. This vibrant town is undergoing a type of renaissance at the moment with plenty of shopping, a pleasant quayside leisure area and a National Sports Centre to keep you occupied. Situated close to Port St Mary near Ronaldsway Airport is the Manx Aviation and Military Museum which opened in 2000 and welcomes visitors at weekends. The Museum is dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives in over 200 flying accidents in and around the Isle of Man, or while serving overseas. For a cultural hit, then go and visit Castle Rushen, which is one of the best preserved medieval castles in Europe. Interactive displays throughout the castle include the skillfully replicated sights, sounds and smells of the past to take you back to that olden day Norse period. Local Diving Contacts Discover Diving A full-time professional diving school with an extensively stocked shop. Discover Diving also operates Endeavour, a 40ft Lochin purpose-built diving support vessel from Port St Mary (charter of the Endeavour comes with complimentary cylinder hire. Air, nitrox and trimix available). Tel: 01624 833 008 Mann Scuba Diving Offers a full range of PADI courses and well-stocked shop. Dive charters are run from Sunfish or their newest 8.4m rib, Sun Eagle. Kit and DPV hire is also available. Tel: 01624 835 202 The Dive Lodge PADI and BSAC Diving courses are offered by this well established dive school. Tel: 01624 832 943 Manx Sea Charter Services A group of BSAC divers who invite qualified divers (from all training agencies) to join them for relaxed and enjoyable diving from their charter MV Castaway. Gary: 07624 430 686 Isle of Man Diving Charters / Holidays Get all your accommodation and diving sorted out in one call. With two self-catering properties (IOM Tourist Board graded 4 star highly commended) and diving from either Red Bay Stormforce (10m) or 8m rib, Coastline allowing for up to 22 divers. Long weekend or full week diving packages can be booked. Tel: 01624 833 133 Mobile: 07624 493 824 |
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Diving Air Services
Dive shop with air, nitrox and trimix fills available from Douglas
Tel: 01624 628 123 |
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