| | |  | Directions to Horsea Island
Horsea Island Dive Centre is situated at the southern extreme of the Port Solent Residential, Marina and Leisure complex in Portsmouth.
Leave the M27 at Junction 12 following the signs for Fareham and Port Solent. The nearby Marriot Hotel is a clear landmark. At Port Solent, continue past all parking/facilities and bear left when faced with the harbour.
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Horsea Island Website - Click Here |
| Opening Hours - Horsea reccomend one weeks notice as a minimum for booking.
Due to military activities Horsea are currently only open for public access at weekends but the office is still manned Wednesday to Friday 9:00 to 4:00 to handle bookings.
Sat 8am - 4.30pm
Sun 8am - 4.30pm
All divers need to be out of water half an hour before closing time.
Facilities - Include Safe year round diving for experienced and trainee alike.
Underwater attractions and marine life.
Average depth of 7m.
Heated changing rooms with showers.
Equipment hire and sales.
Hot and cold drinks always available and range of hot food at weekends.
Attractions - Because Horsea Island is mainly salt water it is able to support a wide variety of marine life. Over the previous years we have been monitoring the population along with marine biologists. This now forms part of our on going marine life project which includes the marine nature trail.
As the lake is topped up from the sea at high tide, the inhabitants of Horsea I.D.C. are constantly changing. Recently there have been sightings of Sea Bass and Pollock.
Horsea have established populations of various species of crab, pipe-fish, gobies, lobster, eels, sea squirts, anemones, molluscs, sponges and mussels. Horsea are particularly renowned for vast numbers of the harmless and beautiful Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia Aurita). These jellyfish have attracted attention from scientists and studies are ongoing. We have also had reports of a Conger Eel and Flounder.
One of the more unusual species resident here are the Pipe-fish which resemble straightened out Sea Horses. Being rather shy are usually found on the bottom amongst the weed. So keep your eyes open during your dive and you never know what you might see. If you do spot anything unusual we would be very happy to hear about it.
Horsea Island Dive Centre is comprised of 3 zones.
All the main attractions are buoyed for ease of location, although you are quite likely to come across smaller objects scattered around the lake, such as mines and torpedos none of which are live.
Each attraction often has a range of marine life conducting their own exploration of the area. Purposely placed in the lake early 1997 for our use, is a variety of military hardware.
To the east of the jetty in zone one you can find an armoured engineering vehicle and at the base of the jetty a variety of workbenches. Nearby are the Elizabethan Timbers and the stern of a ship.
Subject to availability, trips by RIB can be arranged for divers based in zone 3 who wish to explore zone 1 and gain experience of boat diving. Many divers use this as an ideal introduction to boat diving.
Zone Two has two platforms, a recompression chamber, a Land Rover ambulance, and an armoured personnel carrier.
In Zone three you can find a Wessex Helicopter, a Land Rover Ambulance, a Naval Cheverton ferry boat, four bridge sections, as used by the Royal Engineers, now serving as platforms and a recompression chamber marking the end of the zone.
Elizabethan Timbers - The recently added Elizabethan timbers are an interesting addition to the attractions in Horsea Lake. Originally found during dredging operations in the Thames in 2003 and owned by the Nautical Archaeological Society they were added to the lake in April 2005. The timbers are accessed from Zone 1.
Subject to availability a boat shuttle operates from Zone 3
The NAS also organise information days giving divers the opportunity to find out more about this wreck and marine archaeology.
HERE IS A COPY OF HORSEA RULES as on 1 June 08 - PLEASE CHECK THERE WEBSITE INCASE OF ANY CHANGES
Follow the instructions of HIDC staff at all times.
Identity tags must always be worn.
You must be qualified to dive, unless under instruction from a qualified instructor, and comply with recognised diver training body standards and all HSE regulations.
Solo diving is forbidden.
Surface marker buoys must be visible on the surface at all times whilst diving.
Recall will be 4 or repeated pulls on your SMB.
Dive and remain in your allocated area.
Do not remove objects from the lake.
No access is allowed to the jumping platforms under any circumstances.
Do not enter any objects in the lake.
Please ensure the toilets and showers are left in the condition you found them.
Please report any problems or defects to the HIDC Staff.
Animals or alcohol are not permitted on the island.
Please take your litter or place in the receptacles provided.
Smoking is only allowed in specific smoking areas.
Weekday diving is in the orange zone in zone 3 only.
Night diving is by prior arrangement only and special rules apply.
Parking is only allowed in the designated areas, ensure your car pass is displayed.
Everyone must be out of the water half an hour before and clear of the site by closing time.
Be aware that military training is being conducted on this site and your conduct is being monitored at all times. Use of this facility is dependent on your behaviour. Therefore, we reserve the right to refuse admission and remove personnel from the site at any time.
In the event of Horsea Island Dive Centre, or any part thereof being rendered unusable for which it has been hired, Horsea Island Centre Ltd shall not be liable to the hirer for any resulting loss or damage whatsoever.
Horsea Island Dive Centre and Horsea Island Centre Ltd accept no responsibility for loss or damage to any visitor’s vehicles or equipment. By signing the registration document on arrival you are agreeing to abide by the rules of Horsea Island Dive Centre.
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