Information on Tides.

[The Dougie Paddler]

Originally Posted by MATTBIN

What are the easiest ones to dive i.e. least difference in heights.
I've forgotten.

Matt

As has been said, loose a bit of weight and it wont make a lot of diffrence, aternatively just dive with fat bastards like us.

Dougie

[Ant P]

Is there a direct relationship between tides and viz in the UK? For example is the viz worse nearer the spring tides because of the big tidal movements? Or is it better cos the tides suck all the murky siltyness away?

And if it is specific depending on the region - how about around st abbs specifically (cos I am thinking on booking a trip to that fair place , but it is nearish a spring tide in June)

Cheers, Ant

[NeilP]

It's dependant on many factors to be honest.
Another noticeable influence is the weather! Say you are diving a site that is near a major river mouth, like the Fal, or the Helford in Cornwall, and the previous week has been appaling - constant rain. This rain will end up in the river and all this crap will be present when you do your dive in the form of mushy Viz!

You tend to get Plankton blooms later in the year which affect viz also.

In all fairness I tend to find that if you stay away from Springs and Neaps you have a better chance of better viz!

[StuP]

When diving of the North East coast West is best i.e Westerly winds tend to bring better viz. Any inshore winds effect the viz. One could point about St Abbs is that if you dive of Billy's boat he can normally get you in somewhere decent, depending on how bad the sea is.

Stuart

[Paul Beal]

Originally Posted by Epic

In all fairness I tend to find that if you stay away from Springs and Neaps you have a better chance of better viz!

So dive inland then

Paul

[Fathoms Down]

Originally Posted by Ant P

Is there a direct relationship between tides and viz in the UK? For example is the viz worse nearer the spring tides because of the big tidal movements? Or is it better cos the tides suck all the murky siltyness away?

Unfortunately it isn't that clear cut. The volume of water movement rather than the tide level can effect the vis but its dependent on a number of factors such as the make up of the sea bed, plankton blooms, etc. For example, a spring tide in a derp, narrow inlet with a rocks sea bed will have a lot less effect than a neap tide in a non-restrcited, shallow area with a muddy sea bed. And a good plankton bloom or a storm the night before could well wreck the viz at both locations!

[Ant P]

Cheers for the responses. I guess it's actually good that it is not clearcut otherwise the neap weekends would be even more oversubscribed. I also discovered today that the springs happen a few days after new and full moons - rather than on that day/night - which fits in very well with the trip I have in mind. St Abbs here I come .

Cheers, Ant

[NeilP]

Originally Posted by Paul Beal

So dive inland then

Paul

You're just jealous.

[ray]

Stay away from springs or neaps?, its either one or the other or something inbetween or as been pointed out, dive duck ponds!

no offence

spring tides biggest water mass movement bad viz least slack , Neaps least water mass movement best viz longer slack. High water is usually better viz than low water

[NeilP]

Originally Posted by ray

Stay away from springs or neaps?, its either one or the other or something inbetween or as been pointed out, dive duck ponds!

no offence

spring tides biggest water mass movement bad viz least slack , Neaps least water mass movement best viz longer slack. High water is usually better viz than low water

What was it I said? 'In all fairness I tend to find that if you stay away from Springs and Neaps you have a better chance of better viz!'

Emphasis on the words ' I tend to find' and 'a better chance'.

I'm not saying that either is the best way to go, as it all is a game of chance. Can't really guarantee what the viz will be like, although here in Cornwall it tends to be cracking between the May / July time of year!