Tobermory

[W W Meixner]

Hello to you all

I am planning a road trip / diving trip this summer (whenever it'll be possible in the pandemic context) and Tobermory is at the top of my list. I’ll be travelling alone and my schedule is totally open. I have two questions :

- Organised group seems to be the norm (from what I can hear) and rarely hear about someone going there alone. How easy would it be for me if I am on my own (to join a group) ?

- I would be nice to hit two birds with one stone and continue my training while I’m there. I was thinking about a course to improve my skills and technique, the wreck training course or maybe ITT. I don’t know much about to proceed, though.

Any tips or advice are welcome !

Thanks in advance.

DBB...

The boats are going into the water on the 25th...A lot of the Tobermory dive season is COVID-19 pending...as Fathom Five Marine Park remains closed...

Contact Kelly at Divers Den in Tobermory...she can give you a complete course listing...their full time/staff instructor David Mauros is top notch...

Divers Den has a full gas filling service...air...NITROX...Tri-Mix...rebreather friendly...

Good local accommodation available...book ahead...walk-on space available for charters with a little prior planning...they'll double you up with another single...

Local grocery store in town center...I normally pack enough food...breakfasts/sandwiches/snacks for the duration of my stay...the best restaurant in town is the Crows Nest...overlooking Little Tub Harbor in town center...there are no ''chain'' restaurants...all local operators...fresh caught white-fish/chips is a local favorite...

Kelly keeps lots of rental gear if you want to travel light...Advanced/tec dives in the morning...OW sites in the afternoon...

Plan ahead so you're not disappointed...all Divers Den waiver documents are on their web site...Fathom Five Park Permits can also be purchased at Divers Den...

Again...contact Kelly Marcotte...she can give you all the information you need...

The water's cold...bring your dry-suit...or a good fitting 7 mm that doesn't flush any water...

W...

 

[lowviz]

Oops. Off-topic post deleted...

 

[Divingblueberry]

Also if you don’t book on a weekend, chances are you won’t need to reserve a hotel room a year in advance. Last year I booked at the end of July and was there on a Tuesday 2 weeks later. No issues. But it’s always prudent to plan ahead

Oh.. I like that a lot. I will indeed plan everything ahead, especially if I take the wreck course.

 

[Divingblueberry]

DBB...

The boats are going into the water on the 25th...A lot of the Tobermory dive season is COVID-19 pending...as Fathom Five Marine Park remains closed...

Contact Kelly at Divers Den in Tobermory...she can give you a complete course listing...their full time/staff instructor David Mauros is top notch...

Divers Den has a full gas filling service...air...NITROX...Tri-Mix...rebreather friendly...

Good local accommodation available...book ahead...walk-on space available for charters with a little prior planning...they'll double you up with another single...

Local grocery store in town center...I normally pack enough food...breakfasts/sandwiches/snacks for the duration of my stay...the best restaurant in town is the Crows Nest...overlooking Little Tub Harbor in town center...there are no ''chain'' restaurants...all local operators...fresh caught white-fish/chips is a local favorite...

Kelly keeps lots of rental gear if you want to travel light...Advanced/tec dives in the morning...OW sites in the afternoon...

Plan ahead so you're not disappointed...all Divers Den waiver documents are on their web site...Fathom Five Park Permits can also be purchased at Divers Den...

Again...contact Kelly Marcotte...she can give you all the information you need...

The water's cold...bring your dry-suit...or a good fitting 7 mm that doesn't flush any water...

W...

Thanks very much for all this info @W W Meixner.

You answer most of my questions and cover details that I didn't think of mentioning, like the food. I aim to stay there for 4-5 days so I don't feel like spending crazy money on hotels and restaurants (prefer putting it on the diving)

I'll certainly have a chat with Kelly and start from there.

Best

 

[Ministryofgiraffes]

DBB...

The boats are going into the water on the 25th...A lot of the Tobermory dive season is COVID-19 pending...as Fathom Five Marine Park remains closed...

Contact Kelly at Divers Den in Tobermory...she can give you a complete course listing...their full time/staff instructor David Mauros is top notch...

Divers Den has a full gas filling service...air...NITROX...Tri-Mix...rebreather friendly...

Good local accommodation available...book ahead...walk-on space available for charters with a little prior planning...they'll double you up with another single...

Local grocery store in town center...I normally pack enough food...breakfasts/sandwiches/snacks for the duration of my stay...the best restaurant in town is the Crows Nest...overlooking Little Tub Harbor in town center...there are no ''chain'' restaurants...all local operators...fresh caught white-fish/chips is a local favorite...

Kelly keeps lots of rental gear if you want to travel light...Advanced/tec dives in the morning...OW sites in the afternoon...

Plan ahead so you're not disappointed...all Divers Den waiver documents are on their web site...Fathom Five Park Permits can also be purchased at Divers Den...

Again...contact Kelly Marcotte...she can give you all the information you need...

The water's cold...bring your dry-suit...or a good fitting 7 mm that doesn't flush any water...

W...

25th may? Or 25th June?

 

[RMcIntosh]

May 25 cranes are there

 

[W W Meixner]

25th may? Or 25th June?

May 25...as per recent correspondence to me from Kelly...and according to post # 16...the cranes are on site now...

Fathom Five Marine Park remains closed...

 

[maj2]

I spent years there doing single diver walk-ons while my parents had their cottage near Lions Head. These days, I do a mix of group charters and walk-ons. They are just not single diver walk-ons, since my daughter is now diving with me and had her first taste of Tobermory diver last fall. Doing walk-ons with a buddy is just as easy..

The only thing not really mentioned in the various posts above is to bring a log book or equivalent. For their morning dives to sites like the Arabia or Forest City, they like to see proof of past experience in similar deep and cold conditions. Especially for walk-ons. Otherwise, you may be restricted to their afternoon dives for a bit. 'Till they know you anyway. Good idea to start with some easy OW dives, but you will want to get to the deeper signature wrecks as well by the time you leave.

 

[Divingblueberry]

I spent years there doing single diver walk-ons while my parents had their cottage near Lions Head. These days, I do a mix of group charters and walk-ons. They are just not single diver walk-ons, since my daughter is now diving with me and had her first taste of Tobermory diver last fall. Doing walk-ons with a buddy is just as easy..

The only thing not really mentioned in the various posts above is to bring a log book or equivalent. For their morning dives to sites like the Arabia or Forest City, they like to see proof of past experience in similar deep and cold conditions. Especially for walk-ons. Otherwise, you may be restricted to their afternoon dives for a bit. 'Till they know you anyway. Good idea to start with some easy OW dives, but you will want to get to the deeper signature wrecks as well by the time you leave.

That's good to know. Thanks @maj2 for your input.


I don't have a logbook though, for various reasons. I only have my DC. That being said, I don't mind going for some easier dives at first.

 

[Marie13]

That's good to know. Thanks @maj2 for your input.

I don't have a logbook though, for various reasons. I only have my DC. That being said, I don't mind going for some easier dives at first.

Do you download your logs to your phone or computer?