Anybody know of boats that pick up from Oban harbour?

[sch]

As subject says - am thinking of sorting out some dives up there next year for our 'club' and it had been suggested that the people involved would rather stay in Oban 1) for evening jaunts and 2) for the non-divers.

Given that I was hoping that someone could recommend a dayboat that picks up in Oban harbour (or close by).

Alternatively how much longer is it to get to Lochaline from say Glasgow, compared to getting to Oban?


Cheers,
Simon

[Justin Owen]

Sure someone else will be on that knows more than me - but the popular wrecks (at least the ones we dived) are a fair way out from Oban... Our boat took us to the lochaline dive centre, so no idea how long it would take to drive there, but Glasgow to Oban was about three hours I think....

[Spider]

Hello Simon

You could use the Peregrine and/or Brendan of Lochaline boats but get them to do a pick-up from Oban - they just charge an extra £20 per day for the pick-up:

http://www.lochaline-boats.co.uk/

[Dundee]

Its about an 60-75 minutes from Oban to Lochaline. If you are heading up from Glasgow, head through Glencoe (not Oban) and cross on the Corran Ferry then its about 30 miles to Lochaline .

Try Ian who runs the Peregrine and the Brandan out of Lochaline, he will pick up from Oban. Also the skipper of the Silver Swift based in Tobermory will pick up from Oban.

The last post is right though, it will make you day quite a bit longer compared to Lochaline. One of our tricks is to get the skipper to take the boat to Tobermory on the Saturday evening for R &R.

There are probably other options too.


C

[Fiona]

My old club did just this earlier this year, the problem with being picked up in Oban is that you don't get anyway near the variety of the dive sites as it takes a long time to get back up the sound.

[Foggy]

I've done most of the usual SOM wrecks / sites via a club rib which we used to have based at puffin. They have their own ribs and a mighty fine catarmarangue. They are about 2 mins by car from Oban center, longer if you're walking. There's a campsite there which I've used, and they also have cabins, or there are loads of B&B's in Oban. The last hardboat I used was MV Faithful (they're down south now so no good to you), and they would pick up from Oban. Then of course there's always Caladonian ferries.

Cheers, Paul

[sch]

I'll be trying to persuade them to stay over in Lochaline (so if any of you up there this weekend can get some pics of the accommodation it'd be appreciated), but some of the group do like a drink - and one guy has relatives who live in Oban so we can sometimes get a couple of rooms cheap/free...

Simon

[sch]

Originally Posted by Foggy

I've done most of the usual SOM wrecks / sites via a club rib which we used to have based at puffin. They have their own ribs and a mighty fine catarmarangue. They are about 2 mins by car from Oban center, longer if you're walking. There's a campsite there which I've used, and they also have cabins, or there are loads of B&B's in Oban. The last hardboat I used was MV Faithful (they're down south now so no good to you), and they would pick up from Oban. Then of course there's always Caladonian ferries.

Cheers, Paul

Foggy,
have to be honest and say that I've not used Puffin's boats but after the way we've been treated the last couple of times we were up there, they're not high on my list.

Simon

[Woz]

Another vote for Lochaline here. Especially if you go for one of Jean's haggis burgers from the ferry slip cafe. It's a fancy wooden hut now instead of the van but ask her to break an egg onto it. Mmmmm. Lovely.

For evening jaunts the Lochaline Hotel is a laugh especially the "Make the barman smile" challenge. And the WMC down next to the slip can have some scary characters in it. But if you go for lunch in Tobermory there are plenty of pubs there and you can walk round singing "Whats the story Ballamory" in a very irritating manner.

I'd stay at the Lochaline Dive Centre- basic but comfy.

Brendan and Peregrine are nice boats- Alan and Dave were the skippers at easter (Dave normally drives the Mull ferry) and they dropped us in spot on for some good dives. And the weather was apalling- 8 at one point which was a bit wobbly but we got in every day. Just watch out for Dave's lunchtime salmon. But he cooks a mean crab and scallop so get hunting.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by sch

Foggy,
have to be honest and say that I've not used Puffin's boats but after the way we've been treated the last couple of times we were up there, they're not high on my list.

Simon

We used our own rib - just moored there; and I have used Urchin which was good, but it was a few years ago now. They are however local to Oban, which is what you asked for.

I notice that you didn't comment about the ferry though!

Cheers, Paul