Alternative Names: None
Type of Dive: Mavis grind is a Scenic Shore dive on the narrow isthmus that joins Northmavine to the mainland of Shetland
Suggested Experience: Novice/Open water
Travel directions: Mavis Grind itself is the narrow isthmus that joins Northmavine to the mainland of Shetland, preventing it from becoming another island. It is here that you can reputedly stand on the shore of the North Sea and throw a stone into the Atlantic on the other side. Follow the A970 northwards away from Lerwick. Continue following it through Voe and on to Brae. Around 1mile after Brae is Mavis Grind. There is a huge sign on the rock announcing that you are in Northmavine and if you go past that, you have gone too far. The dive site is on the right of the road opposite a large layby
Parking directions: There is a small space you can pull into just above the beach or there is a large lay-by on the opposite side of the road
Lat & Long: 60:23:56N 1:22:56W Postcode ZE2 9TZ Google
Tides: Tide tables
Depth: Quite a steep slope down in the middle of the bay to 25+
Site entry/exit: Very small, bay with a shingle beach. Large rocks to use for putting fins on.
Underwater directions: This dive can be quite dark and gloomy so a good torch is a must. Swim straight out over a band of kelp where minute sea stars cling onto the crinkly blades, and tiny scallops perform their comical jerky dance with almost frenetic energy as they try to escape. The sandy, shingle sea bed quickly starts to slope quite steeply on this dive. Keep slightly over to your right where the large rocks are thickly covered with thousands of fluted sea squirts. However, this is not the only variety; I counted five different types, including the very beautiful gas mantle sea squirt all growing on and around these rocks here. Most of the life on this dive is between 10-20m, below that visibility is poor.
Air & Nitrox: Malkoff Ltd contact the local dive club Zetland SAC 
01806 588261
Site Hazards:
Nearest Public phone: None close to here
Mobile Network service: Contact me
Accommodation: Lots of places for wild camping around Shetland and registered sites.
Other comments:
Pub: None close to here.
Cafe: None close to here so take everything you need.
Version: 2
Thanks To:
Links: Diving Mavis Grind Shetland sub-aqua club
Created by: Jane Wilkinson
Date: 21/8/09
Surface Photos: By Jane Wilkinson
Underwater Photos: By Jane Wilkinson
Dive sitemap:
Dive Report: Jane Wilkinson August 2008 : Round ever corner you will come across large, long clawed squat lobsters, many of which sit out in the open on sandy patches, uncharacteristically slow to retreat back into their lairs, totally unfazed by my presence. The crabs that I encountered so frequently on other shore dives in Shetland seemed less in evidence here, but many wrasse darted off around the rocks, disconcerted to find a diver on their turf. Slowly fining my way round the large rocks on this dive I was never sure what I would encounter next, as at each corner their seemed to be a different creature waiting for me. The sinuous body of a butter fish appeared, weaving in and out of some weed. It halted, posing for me, until bored, it disappeared behind one of the lovely sun stars that pepper the rocks here. A juvenile topknot came to rest mere inches from my hand, totally camouflaged by the colouring on the rocks, only its movement alerting me to its presence.
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