Alternative Names:
Type of Dive: Scenic Shore
Suggested experience: Novice/Open water
Travel directions: Situated on the west coast of the mainland down towards Sumburgh head it is a very attractive spot. There are two beaches at Spiggie and it is the smaller beach which has a concrete slipway. Head south on the A970 towards Sumburgh. When you get to Channerwick turn right on the B9122. It is the shingle beach with a slip. Don’t go to Scousburgh Sands you will see if you are in the right place as Spiggie has some large rocks to the left of the bay. These are what you are making for and will be diving around the one that is the furthest out.
Parking directions: There is room for a couple of cars to park by the gate that leads to the beach, dodging the sheep and crossing a small stretch of grass before walking down the gently sloping shingle to the water.
Lat & Long: 59.943140, -1.344803 Postcode ZE2 9JE Google
Depth: 10m
Site entry/exit: Small, sheltered, bay with a shingle beach. Plenty of large rocks to use for putting fins on.
Underwater directions: Swim out keeping to the left of the bay where large rocks break the surface of the water. Again this dive needs to be near to high tide as the depth around the largest rock in the bay will only be around 5-6 m.
Site Hazards: None
Nearest Public phone: Contact me
Accommodation: Contact me
Mobile Network service:
Other comments: You can also shore at Mavis grind and Luna Kirk
Pub: The Spiggie Hotel
Created by: Jane Wilkinson
Cafe:
Air & Nitrox fills: Malkoff Ltd contact the local dive club Zetland SAC 01806 588261
Revision: 1
Thanks To:
Links: Shetland sub-aqua club
Surface Photos:
Underwater Photos: By Jane Wilkinson
Dive Map: Contact me
Dive Report: Tiny sandy gobies dart about the incredibly white sandy bottom while the usual hermit crabs stroll around using a variety of shells for temporary residence. Kelp covers the rocks pretty thickly, but in places you will be able to get closer, shining a torch in the cracks and crevices of the rocks, picking out the almost fluorescent blue on the bright orange carapaces of spiny squat lobsters. Here and there are dotted pale pink urchins and dahlia anemones. Continue around the rock but remember to keep checking the kelp blades as I was able to find several different kinds of nudibranchs on these. This is a lovely dive to do on a bright sunny day. Being shallow the light easily penetrates the clear water making it easy to see crabs scuttling around and the huge shoals of sand eels swimming back and forth with almost military precision.
Dive Report: Comment in the box below.