Sheephaven divers were able to take full benefit of Spring diving last week, despite the weekend weather turning for the worse.
An incoming mid-Atlantic depression resulted in strong southerly winds and a small-craft weather warning from the Irish Coastguard meant that there was no diving on Sunday, but the snorkel in PortnaBlagh yielded a treasure trove of in-water marine life observation.
Before that Sheephaven divers were back in St Johns Point for a mid-week shore dive, where once again they conducted a two-dive sequence in the vicinity of the lighthouse that dominates the landscape at this location.
The picturesque site was enhanced by the beautiful weather that Donegal was experiencing last week, giving the day a bit more to remember the diving by.
This was followed the next day by a snorkel in Mulroy Bay near the Harry Blaney Bridge, which allowed the divers the opportunity to observe some iconic marine species, such as Eelgrass and Maerl, both of which would be considered to be quite unique elsewhere.
However, they are quite extensive and a testament to the pristine nature of the waters in this vicinity and with the right guide relatively easy to locate.
In PortnaBlagh harbour the Sunday morning snorkelers were fortunate enough to observe Sea Hares, which are slug-like marine creature that is only present for a few weeks each year.
The harbour was well sheltered from the strong wind and the in-water visibly was still excellent at over 10 metres horizontally, allowing the snorkelers a panoramic view of their surroundings throughout the swim.
In particular, the areas along the reefs that guard the harbour were full of fish life, with shoals of small Pollock and Sand eels observed.
In-water water temperature has significantly improved, now in double figures for the first time since last Autumn and nearly warm enough to leave the dive gloves at home, but maybe still a few weeks yet until the dry-suits can be put away and the wet suits appear for dives as well as the snorkels.
