Sound of Mull and The Smalls April 2-8th 2026
The journey north to Dunstaffnage Marina was relatively smooth and incident free bar the roadworks around Glasgow. The scenery, as always, was stunning and we were greeted by snow capped mountains as we approached Crianlarich. Once in the Marina carpark we transferred our kit into trolleys and walked to the outer pontoon to load everything onto The Clasina. Dive kit was set up on the deck; dry suits were hung on the rails in the heated indoor kitting up area and personal bags were taken to our cabins. We completed the necessary paperwork, listened to the boat safety briefing before heading out for an evening meal in The Widemouthed Frog Restaurant.
The weather forecast was not particularly favourable as Storm Dave affected us 4/5th April with strong winds, rain and hail. However, as always Bob chose sites and overnight moorings with his usual expertise to give us the best diving conditions possible.
Dive sites
Fri 3rd. Dive 1. The Breda. Dive 2 Calve Island Wall. Overnight Tobermory Marina.
Sat, 4th Dive 1. Elizabeth Rock. Dive 2. Loch Nevis Wall. Overnight Inverie Harbour.
Sun 6th Dive 1 Smythe Rock. Dive 2. Rubha Na Crannaig Eigg. Overnight Muck Harbour.
Mon 6th Dive 1 Auliston Wall. Dive 2 Risga Pinnacle Overnight Tobermory Marina.
Tues 7th Dive 1 The Rondo. Dive 2 The Hispania. Overnight Tobermory Marina.
Wed 8th Dive 1 Penygowan Quarry. Dive 2. Woody Wall. Disembark Dunstaffnage.
Evenings were spent relaxing in the Mishnish, dancing at the Ceilidh in Inverie and watching the sunset over The Isle of Muck.
The vis in general was 6/8m and the water temperature between 6.8C and 8C. Pretty chilly beneath the surface but once on deck the heated indoor kitting up area provided shelter from the wind. The crew ensured that everyone was safely moved to and from their dive space and provided help when needed.
Despite being at the beginning of the season the marine life was diverse and colourful.
Boring, Elephant Hide, Volcano Prawn Cracker and Hedgehog sponges: Deadmens Fingers, Red Fingers, Northern Sea Fan: Walls of tiny Jewel Anemones, Plumose, White Striped, Dahlia, Sea Loch, White Cluster, Burrowing and Elegant Anemones, Devonshire Cup Coral ,Bootlace and Peacock Worms, nudibranch, beds of Brittle Stars, Sun, Seven Armed , Spiny and Cushion Starfish: Crevice Sea Cucumber, Oaten Pipe and Herringbone hydroids, small Edible and Velvet Swimming Crabs, Squat and Long Clawed Lobster: Yellow Fluted and Football Sea Squirts. Infant Gobies, Dragonets and Gold Sinny Wrasse.
Best finds: shoals of Pollack, tiny Crawfish, the size of a fingernail. Common Lobster, Conger Eel, a boulder field full of Squat lobster jumping from one rock to the next to hide from our torchlight.
