Feature: The Essential Underwater Guide to North Wales
13/01/2004

The Essential UNDERWATER GUIDE to NORTH WALES:
Volume 1 - Barmouth to South Stack

by Chris Holden

(Underwater photos by Paul Kay)

RRP: £16.95

This is probably the best and most informative guide for divers yet written. It covers an area from Barmouth around the Lleyn Peninsular and the Island of Anglesey including the beautiful Menai Straits.

This guide book gives good clear and concise information on not only diving but also topics such as safety, tides, nature, archaeology, wreck sites and dive planning, to mention but a few, along with large scale full page charts for over-viewing areas to see exactly where sites are.

Each site entered in the guide has an exact G.P.S. position in longitude-latitude co-ordinates, and Ordnance Survey 6 figure grid references where applicable. Some sites such as wrecks are given visual transits shown on photographs so there are no doubts you are in the right spot.

It tells you whether to access dive sites by foot, or where and how to launch a small boat, parking and any associated costs, i.e. parking or slipway charges.

A good explanation of each dive is given, along with things of interest to look at and see along the way. Good photographs also back up good safety and tidal warnings for each area, along with slack water times. Most dives do not exceed 30 metres in depth so should be in the realms of most experienced divers, but also covers good snorkelling sites alike.

This guide also gives vital information on local dive boat charters, air stations, retailers, HM Coastguard. Reference is also made to the more sensitive issues such as wild and marine life, archaeology, local inhabitants, conservation areas, local by-laws and fisheries information.

This is an easy read guide-book that will be of interest not only to divers, but anyone who is interested in the local shores and what they have to offer in this wonderful part of Wales.

Review by: Neil Rawlinson, Diving Officer, Lleyn Sub-Aqua Club. B.S.A.C.

Go to www.calgopublications.co.uk to see a sample page from the book or to find a list of stockists. The book can also be purchased direct from this site.

Also check out 'Underwater Photography' by Paul Kay at www.underseacameras.com
and www.marinewildlife.co.uk

Chris Holden is also the author of the Sub Aqua Diving leaflet that forms part of a series of Activity and Area Guide downloadable PDFs available from this site in April 2004.

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