Somerset Divers Forum

[smurf]

One of my favorate dive sites which offers 3 totally different habitats and dives. http://www.babacombebeach.co.uk

Dive 1: Off the Beach
For those that don't want to swim that far, swimming a square pattern can produce some quite good results and a varied dive else swim out 200yards and there is a small 'wall' that dips down by a metre or two. It is
worth wile spending some time here to spot the Tube Worms or Squat Lobsters who
call this place home. At high tide, you will now head into 12 to 14m of water.Out beyond the small drop off there are reefs, sandy deserts and weed bed.

Dive 2: Round the Rocks
Roundingthe rocks to the left of the beach can be a very shallow dive, but there is plenty to see in and on the various rocks and boulders in and around the corner.

Dive 3: Past the Jetty
This my favotate dive, but be warned in bad vis fishing line can be a problem till you get well away from the jetty.
Depending on the state of tide you can enter from the rockpool to the right of the jetty or from the jetty steps.
Navigation on this dive is easy just keep the reef on your right shoulder on the way out and on your left on the way back.
There is plenty of life in amongst the boulders as you would expect (Wrasse, Crabs, Sponges, Sea Cucumbers, Anemones, Fan Worms) and swimming out over the shale area will let you see the bottom dwelling life on offer (Dogfish, Flatfish, more Crabs,Wrasse), the trick is to spend time in an area and look in, under and around things.

[Bert]

really good site for 1st sea dive, plenty to see although not a very deep dive a very enjoyable place to dive

[Dizzy Diver]

Did this divesite for the first time last summer, really good dive, loads of wildlife, good vis (that day anyway) and a wonderful bacon butty for breakfast.
Really happy to recommend, especially for novice training.

[scaff]

An update to Smurf's post ( link not working ), includes webcam

http://www.babbacombebeach.com/webcam.php

I have tried to record this in the past when I've gone down there for a dive !

[awswimmer]

According to my log book I have dived Babbacombe 10 times, out of 40 dives, which is a lot but it is a lovely site to be honest, and though shallow this means there is a lot to see! If a "new" buddy comes along it is a good place to see how it goes, too!

Before you dive it is worth 'phoning Divers down www.diversdown.co.uk who will happily tell you what the conditions are like, I generally call the day before. DD also supply air, and will hire kit to order!

And for your car keys, leave them at the cafe on the front, they do pretty good tea and luch as well!