Anglesey August 2025 - Trip Report

The August Bank Holiday saw the Dive Rutland club heading over to North Wales for a weekend of diving, laughter, and a little bit of adventure on dry land too.

This was the first time we had dived Anglesey so not sure what to expect but with a little bit of research - there were not many reference materials available, so we knew that we might have to adapt when we arrived.

The Journey

Travelling down on Friday afternoon and evening, Ben and Will were the first to arrive… or so they thought. Darren had other plans. En route he decided that the best use of his time was to see how fast he could climb Snowdon. A quick dash up, a short break at the top, and then back down again – all “just because he could.” an impressive warm-up before a dive weekend!

The rest of the team – Agnes, Luke, Mark and Tracey, and the returning Snowdon sprinter Darren – all made their way to the Bull Hotel in Valley (Luke and Mark via a different hotel – something about the GPS being wrong!), which became our base for the long weekend after a late cancellation by our previous accommodation.

The Diving

Saturday – Trearddur Bay

Our first dive of the weekend was Trearddur Bay, diving the left side. After a little bit of a logistic issue – the car parks have height barriers in place for 6ft 6”! so the Dive Rutland van could not gain entry. So, a quick offload on the pavement outside the carpark and Luke and his t

ruck transported to the far end of the carpark, whilst Tracey found somewhere to park the van and then walked back - well back to the cafe that the others had walked to for Breakfast.

After breakfast, almost time to go diving, so a slow kit up, followed by a short walk to the water, an easy shore entry and plenty to see underwater, well over an hours diving, rounded off nicely by the sunshine topside.

The water goes out a long way on low tide, but luckily, we had dived on High Tide, so a short walk in and then wound our way back to the cars through the beachgoers making the most of the sun and lots of "did you see anything?"

Sunday – Porth Dafach

An early start.. well 08:30 as we had done a site tour the previous day, to work out logistics and that there were limited car parking - particularly as three camper vans had taken up residency on the hill leading down to the site.

Then a little wait for the makings of high tide and off we went diving at Porth Dafach, exploring the right-hand side. This is a small cove with lots of kayakers.

The question of the day - Would you set yourself up on the beach below the high-water line, when the tide is coming in?

The entry again was straightforward, the water welcoming, and we soon found ourselves enjoying what Anglesey diving has to offer. On the way out we had to dodge the holiday makers on the beach!

Then off to Holyhead Maritime Museum, starting with a little lunch in the café next door and after the museum (during which First Aid skills were applied to a staff member!) the obligatory trip ice-cream.

Bank Holiday Monday – Rhoscolyn Beach

Monday saw us round off the trip with a shore dive at Rhoscolyn Beach. It was the perfect finale – an easy entry, good company underwater, and a chance to soak up the last of the Bank Holiday weekend before heading home. – ooh and a nudibranch spot to… well done Ben for that (must have had a great teacher!)

The Team

Our dive line-up for the weekend: Agnes, Ben, Darren, Luke, Mark, Tracey, and Will. A solid crew, full of energy and good humour, which made the whole trip flow effortlessly.

The Trip Video

A short video of our exploits can be found on youtube at https://youtu.be/nlmXW0YT4us

Reflections

Anglesey delivered everything we hoped for – great shore diving, long, shallow diving with relaxed evenings, and a chance to enjoy the simple pleasure of diving straight off the beach. Combined with a comfortable stay at the Bull Hotel, it was the perfect recipe for a Bank Holiday dive adventure.

Watching the local wildlife fighting and on drugs, in pubs! Don’t get that in Oakham

The tidal wait was worth it.1) to get the car space 2) happy Diving 3) club banter

It was the hottest ever August Bank Holiday in Anglesey, suitable for wetsuit diving but thin baselayers under drysuits also worked. Never listen to your husband who said it was going to be windy and not particularly warm, so you do not pack shorts – always pack for all weathers you just never know what the British weather will throw at you.

Just remember to put your parking ticket in your window screen, make sure no one puts anything on the dashboard covering it, otherwise you could get out of the water, desperately wanting the loo only to find a car parking attendant doing a ticket check and questioning you not having one… do you stay to answer the questions and locate the ticket or do you go to the toilet?

The running weekend joke and sorry not going to explain it. If you were there you know (and if you weren’t why not?). - The Y Fally Valley Valley pub

A big thank you to everyone who joined in and made it such a fun trip. We’re already looking forward to the next one!