ISLANDS AND LIVEABOARDS
UK
Lundy Island
Text and images by JANE MORGAN
Lundy Island is the largest island in the
Bristol Channel, lying 19 kilometres off
the coast of North Devon, in the west of
the UK, where the Atlantic Ocean and the
Bristol Channel come together. Looking out
beyond this 140-metre-high granite outcrop
there is no landfall until you reach America.
Affectionately known as plain “Lundy”, it is
just five kilometres long and 0.8 kilometres
wide and managed by the Landmark Trust.
Washed by the Gulf Stream meeting
cooler, northern waters, Lundy has some
of the richest marine life found outside the
tropical zone. A staggering 2,500 creatures
can be found in a single square metre of
seabed and it is the only place where all
five types of British cup coral can be found.
Famously, a small area on the east coast of
Lundy was designated the first ever No-Take
Zone (NTZ) in the UK. It is also a Special Area
of Conservation (SAC) due to the significance
of the marine habitats and species, a Site of
Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Marine
Conservation Zone (MCZ). That is a lot of
letters for a small dot of an island, but she is
worth it.
Lundy offers a great range of dives, from
the wrecks of the Robert and the historic
Iona, to plenty of scenic reefs and some
wonderful macro life under the jetty.
However, one of the main attractions is
the breeding colony of grey seals that can
be seen hauled out, sunning themselves on
rocks and ledges all around the island or
bobbing vertically with their enormous eyes
checking you out.
I am not sure you can have much more fun
in the water than you can with these young
pinniped pals. They are very inquisitive and
friendly and love to play with your fins. They
really are just like puppies. Remember to take
something “yum yum” yellow with you as
they are definitely attracted to that particular
colour and it will practically guarantee you
substantial attention.
SDOP
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Lundy has some of the
richest marine life found
outside the tropical zone