Scuba 4 Families - Aird Na Cuile Dive Review:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Beginner Dive Site (Safety, Entry/Exit etc)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Diving and Equipement Conditions ( 0-18m)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -Accessibility of Location (Ease of Travel)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Value for Money (Expensive day trip but great experience)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Customer Service of Dive club
Having an Easter family vacation in the Scottish highlands with friends didn't stop us wanting to experience the cold underwater delights of Oban. With four teenagers each wanting to do their own activities we opted to go with a flexible outdoor water-sports company #BaskingSharkScotland. They enabled us to dive, snorkel, kayak and paddle board as one group. The diving took place at #AIRDNACUILE a gentle wall dive of kelp forests, dahlia anemones, sun starfish, urchins, common crabs and much more. The paddle boarding & snorkelling was located at #GylenCastle a ruined castle, or tower house, at the south end of the island of Kerrera in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, on a promontory overlooking the Firth of Lorne.
The Kelp Forests were abundant in the rich green algae plankton waters, with abundant sea snails feeding on the holdfasts of the Kelp which keep them anchored to the bottom of the ocean. White Urchins now a delicacy in Asia are now being farmed and exported as a substitute for cavier. Sun Star fish and Spiny sea stars cover the walls of Aird na Cuile. Recently in Oban a world record for the largest Spiny sea star was set at 3ft (90cm) from tip to tip. In the summer with rich plankton waters the basking sharks enter the Scottish waters to feast. We would love to return to see these majestic creatures. With 8 degree Celsius water temperature in April, it meant a short dive time of 30 minutes, the girls however went snorkelling for at least 45 minutes and were comfortable in their 8mm wetsuits.
The paddle boarding, snorkeling and kayaking took place just off Gylen Castle. The castle was built in 1582 by Duncan MacDougall but was only occupied for around 70 years before it was attacked and left a ruin by Covenanter forces. It was the perfect backdrop for paddle boarding and kayaking or drinking hot tea after a cold dive.