Hand
Deeps is a rocky outcrop rising from the seabed off Plymouth. This is definitely
one of the best and most scenic dive sites in UK waters and one that can be
dived time and time again. Hand Deeps covers quite a large area and offers many
individual sites with a large variety of features and life - there is even
rumoured to be a seaplane that went down in the Second World War.
Starting
in the kelp at about 15 metres, Hand Deeps is a near-vertical drop off down to
40+ meters, with the descent interspersed with
ledges, offering good diving to most grades of diver wanting to dives to various
depths. Whilst there is no compulsion to visit the very bottom, the scenery and
life very much varies and, for those wishing to go to the bottom, there are
excellent views there to be seen.
As
you drop over the top of the reef the rock face opens up before you and, when
the visibility is good (which is often, particularly later in the year) you can
see quite a way towards the bottom. As you leave the top of the reef and the
kelp the site opens up to reveal boulders, more rock faces and ledges with
various varieties of wrasse and crabs. The descent continues as a steep, in
places near vertical, face which eventually flattens out at the seabed which is
sand covered in large boulders. On reaching the bottom the choice is then yours
as to which way to go, in the knowledge that there is no real current to speak
of and a stepped rock face ascent giving loads of opportunity for a gradual
ascent with ready made decompression facilities if the various ledges and the
top of the reef at 15 meters. On a good day the visibility looking out from the
rock face can be quite spectacular yet, at times, quite intimidating.
Staying
with the bottom for a while, this offer a wide variety of sea life - wrasse,
crabs, dogfish and, if you are really lucky, ling. The rock face has endless
crevasses and overhangs housing fish life and covered in masses of jewel
anemones of all colours, especially if highlighted by a good torch light - a
must on this site. For those willing to visit the bottom, and build up a
reasonable amount of decompression time, the mandatory stops on the ascent can
be spent gradually climbing up the rock face until you reach the kelp at the
top. Sometimes this can be fairly swelly but at least offers a good place to
hang on to while the time is spent.
For
those not wanting to visit the depths, this site offers the opportunity to pick
your depth in the relative safety of a sheltered rock face, with all the sea
life found at the bottom but without the jewel anemones, with tend to be found
at the bottom.
This is a site, which cannot be dived too often as it gives the opportunity of a variety of depths, excellent sea life and underwater scenery together with the challenge of a deeper dive for those wanting it.
TIDES:
Slack water on all these dives is 2 to 3 hours after high and low water
Plymouth. For Hand Deeps slack water is essential during spring tides but
experienced divers could drift at any state of a neap tide. DIVING AND AIR:
There are a number of hard-boat charters from Plymouth (see small ads at back of
Dive/Diver magazines). Sound Diving (01752 670674) has a dive shop with
compressor and operates a RIB shuttle from Queen Anne's Battery marina. LOCATIONS:
Hand Deeps is at 50.12.58N, 4.20.40W. Look for an echo which drops rapidly from
9m to 40m. ACCOMMODATION: All styles from camping to hotels are
available. Campsites tend to be a bit expensive, but usually have good
facilities. Details available from Plymouth Tourist Information (01752 264849)
Mick
Johns
Last Edited 03/01/2003