Dive Rutland Trip to Farnes Islands - 2026
Dive Rutland Trip to Farnes Islands - October / November 2026
Written by Joe Simmons
FRIDAY
The race up North to Seahouses begins for a nice weekend in the Farnes. Most of the crew were neck and neck, getting there for 1800ish one after the other, except Mark who beat everyone by about half a day since he was already there and got to relax rather than slog up the A1.
Everybody checks in and gets their rooms, dumps their kit, and proceeds to socialise at the accommodation's restaurant, where we discover that our glorious leader Tracey is sadly not attending this fine trip. However this did mean a lucky pair (Ben and I) got a room to themselves now.
After a period of mourning, and getting shuffled around different tables by the restaurant staff because everyone and their Nan seemed to have a reservation booked that night, we finally settled down and ordered some delicious food with a hearty side of banter before heading to bed to prepare for the day of diving tomorrow.
SATURDAY
Everyone was up at 07:30 sharp for an enjoyable buffet breakfast before getting gear together and heading to the harbour to set up before ropes off at 9 o'clock. The boat moored up at a nice slipway making gear easy to load on board. The weather proved to hold up nicely as we departed making for a smooth trip over to the islands where seals lay in wait for us on the rocks while everyone donned their kit.
Seals bobbed on the surface while we had our briefing before entering and descending in our buddy pairs, as for where the seals went after getting in the water I would have no clue since Mark and I didn't see a single one. Luke and Simon on the other hand claim to have seen a whole family of them while practically snorkelling at 2 metres.
On the second dive Mark and I tried to change tactics to what Luke and Simon did and stayed shallower in hopes of finding a seal, however we are either the unluckiest at seal spotting or they all got bored and left since once more we didn't sight a single one. At least there were some crabs amongst the rocks to look at in the meantime.
After a hard day of diving the group gathered back at the accommodation for another lovely meal and good conversation as is the usual from the club, before finally heading to their respective rooms for a well earned rest.
SUNDAY
The weather seemed to have held up for our final day of diving, except for a drizzle of rain while we were having breakfast. Checkout was at 10 and it was ropes off at 9 again so we all had to hurriedly pack our things and clear out to go get ready for the final two dives, some even got ready in their room and checked out in their drysuits before walking to the harbour to save them the hassle later.
We boarded for the final time and headed out to the islands again, however the ride this time was relatively rough compared to the one we had yesterday as the wind had picked up, you could even feel the swell whilst a few metres underwater. As far as I can recall nobody saw seals that dive (I don't blame the seals for staying out of the water). After surfacing we seemed to have picked up a few strays from another dive boat to avoid them being swept up against the rocks, and later did a hasty “prisoner exchange” as somebody quoted, since the other dive boat had also picked up a couple of our divers.
The second dive wasn't particularly eventful either, as soon as we got in the rough swell had seemingly stirred up all the silt it could as visibility had dropped to next to nothing. Luke had been tasked to lead the group of five that had decided to brave the conditions and after a short twentyish minute dive decided to call it off, as while we were fine to stay down here, I think everyone was happier to get on the road home a bit earlier as there wasn't much to see in the given conditions.
Overall the trip was a nice weekend away, even if some didn't get to see seals, it was easy and enjoyable diving regardless. The accommodation was comfortable and was really well placed next to the harbour, and it served very good food. The boat was lovely with enough space to move around and kit up on, and the lift to get out of the water felt very luxurious. The crew were also very helpful on deck too, helping with people's gear where it was needed and appreciated.
And it was so expertly organised that Tracey didn't even have to be present for the trip to go smoothly, as she did a cracking job.