Alternative Names: None
Type of Dive: Shore dive on the point of Loch Alsh
Suggested experience: Ocean Diver (experienced), Sports Diver, Dive Leader, Master Diver etc
Travel directions: As you descend down Glen Shiel, A87(on the way to Kyle of Lochalsh), take the left signposted Ratagan over the wee humpback bridge, take the next right to Ratagan, pass thru and continue driving past Letterfearn (single track road) Google
Parking directions: Park at the wide open area before the gate. You can take your gear down in the car and pick it up from the slipway after the dive but you must park back up at the open area. The area by the house is private property and must be kept clear. Google
Lat & Long: N57 16.162,W5 31.446
Tides: Tide tables Keep close to the cliff to keep out of the flow.
Depth: 20m max in the immediate vicinity.
Site entry/exit: The old (very slippy) ferry slipway. Enter and exit here.
Underwater directions: Keep the cliff face on your right on the way out and on your left on the way back. If the current picks up, then keep close to the cliff to keep out of the flow.
Site Hazards: Current if you get the tide times wrong. No exit other than large rocks to climb out over if you don't return to entry/exit point. Very slippy on the slipway and there's also quite a drop where the surface wall ends.
Nearest Public phone: Back at Ratagan Youth Hostel
Accommodation: Kintail lodge hotel (Bunk Rooms and Bunk House), Ratagan Youth Hostel
Mobile Network service: O2 works with full signal
Other comments:
Pub: Kintail lodge hotel (nice pint of Ember, Strongbow, Stella. Meals quite expensive (but good)… (Scallops as a main £18.50!)
Created by: Darryl Mayer
Cafe: There is a cafe further up from the Kintail Lodge on the way to Kyle of Lochalsh (but can’t rem its name)
Air & Nitrox: 5 Bells Diving at Loch Carron, Dive and Sea Hebrides on Skye, or carry your own
Revision: 1
Thanks To:
Links: None
Surface Photos: By Lee Coleman
Underwater Photos: By Darryl Mayer.
Dive Map: Contact Me
Dive Report: Jo Rawley 10th Feb 2011, Whilst waiting for HW slack sat and watched an otter play about in the bay - on its front, on its back, on the rocks, off the rocks - was superb. depth 18m - time 52 mins viz a lovely 8m+. Down the slope as suggested keeping cliff on the right over the wreckage and now a nice group of 3 porcelain tops. Descending over the flame shell beds several were out in the open. Little fish life but plenty of nudi's and a small thornback too. Would recommend diving and would dive again - just be very careful on that slipway.
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