UKDIVING
Shadows lengthen over Criccieth Castle
habitats barren with little to see, but under the cover of darkness the seabed comes alive. For many of the smaller species, such areas become treacherous at night. Around small rocky outcrops or clumps of seaweed you can find juvenile fish sheltering, only darting across the sandy landscape if they absolutely need to make the crossing. Taking a closer look into clumps of seaweed, you can find various camouflaged species, especially small pipefish.
As you take your time to explore the site, you regularly see small eyes peeping out of the sand. Watch out for the upward-gazing eyes of the weever fish, an ambush predator that waits patiently for unsuspecting prey to pass. It’ s best to keep your hands from touching the seafloor as this small fish can pack a painful sting from the spine on its dorsal fin.
If you are stung, an immediate way of relieving pain is to submerge the area in water as hot as you can bear, which breaks down the poison. Other predators that can be found lurking here are the rays, either spotted( Raja montagui) or thornback( Raja clavata). Seeing a ray is always a highlight of a dive, but you don’ t find them too often here.
The cephalopod nightclub
Looking into the darkness, a critter that always brings excitement during a night dive is the squid. It’ s not a species that you see regularly, but when they suddenly appear it’ s like you’ re looking at a creature
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Sunset over Porth Ysgaden