The Iron Pier and the Dolphin - Ramsey

The Iron Pier runs out from Ramsey Beach, on the North of the Island, with the Dolphin (a concrete structure, not the mammal!) detached at the end, with a max depth of about 14m at high tide.

Following along the base of the Iron Pier, in and out of the under-water structure, you'll find all loads of marine life as it all congregates under the relatively safe shelter of the pier. In case you get hungry, Crabs, Lobsters, Scallops and Queenies are a plenty!

At the end of the Pier, you can head out North for a few minutes until you hit the Dolphin - much of the structure has collapsed, which makes it a fantastic dive, with loads of nooks and crannies to poke your head under. Again, loads of marine life makes this home - with at least four resident Conger Eels, loads of Lobsters and incredibly charismatic Tompot Blennies.

The Tompot Blennies, which can be seen poking their heads out of the cracks and crevices, are incredibly inquisitive fish and often pop out to take a closer look at the passing diver. It's been said that they even like the odd stroke, even appearing to become agitated when it stops!

If you're good on your air, and fancy some exercise, you can do the whole of the Iron Pier and the Dolphin in one shore dive - easy access from Ramsey Beach!

You'd have to do this shoredive at low tide, be quite fit (it's a long swim!)and give yourself at least 90 minutes for the round-trip. Alternatively of course, you can dive it from our RIB, where you can drop straight down onto the Dolphin.

The Iron Pier and the Dolphin average around 7m with a max of about 14m at high tide. There can be some boat traffic around the Dolphin, so always use a surface marker and stick close to the structures when ascending. If diving from the shore, always remember it's a long swim back to the beach, so bear this in mind when watching your air, and surface conditions should you have to snorkel back!

If you want to dive this site, or any other part of the Isle of Man, check out the Isle of Man Diving at www.mannscubadivers.co.uk