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The trip is rated for Advanced Open Water divers because, although the majority of the dives we do in Pwllheli are in the 10 to 20m range, they need a bit of boat dive experience and it is possible that we might do a dive to 25 or 30m.

Generally the diving in Pwllheli is relatively easy, very relaxing and no pressure. Our skipper Jason is very aware of the capabilities of the divers he takes out and is very cautious in terms of sea state and weather. Cardigan Bay, where we usually dive, is relatively sheltered and there are plenty of inshore boat dives we can do if the seas further out are a little choppy. If the prevailing winds are too strong for diving in Cardigan Bay Jason sets us up with dives off the north coast of the Lleyn Peninsular in Carnarvon Bay and Anglesey.

I've just checked the temperature on our dives in Pwllheli late last September and we had a minimum of 15C on all four dives. That's borderline wetsuit! The trips out always include a hot meal at lunchtime on the boat and as much tea, coffee and water as you want to drink.

Recent dives have included Half Tide Rock where it is possible to dive around seals if you want. Away from the rocks there are a couple of well flattened wrecks with a boiler and tubes and further out plenty of scope to find lobsters, crabs of numerous types and plenty of fish. Another recent dive was to a sunken trawler at around 23m which sank a couple of years ago and is already starting to be a home for enormous numbers of fish and crabs. If seafood is your favourite then lunchtime fishing usually brings in a few mackerel. On our last dive in Pwllheli a couple of months ago we spotted a thornback ray lying on the seabed, some pipe fish (obvious relatives of the seahorse), plenty of hermit crabs and scallops and Ronnie even managed to have a plaice swim into his bag. It wouldn't leave apparently. All that was in a gentle drift at about 7 or 8m. If you're not diving with Ronnie you'll also find some good size lobsters and edible crabs, maybe take some pictures and then tell Ronnie what he missed after the dive!

Two dives on the Saturday and then Saturday night is usually a good meal in a friendly restaurant in Pwllheli followed by a variety of entertainment - the pubs until they shut, the hotel bar and even later, the new club next door which has an entrance from the hotel. There might be bouncers on the doors from the street but you'll still find Fins divers getting in from the hotel with shorts, t-shirts and sandals. Two more dives on the Sunday and we're usually setting off back to Preston at about 5 in the afternoon. You need to allow around 3 and a half hours for the trip each way but its well worth it!

Basic directions to the Tower Hotel: South on M6 to Junction 20A, left onto M56 (North Wales, Chester). To the end of the M56 then head for the A55 which will take you all the way along the north coast of Wales. Leave the A55 on the A4087 before going across the bridge to Anglesey! then take the A487 through Caernarfon. A few miles after Caernarfon on the A487 go straight on to the A499 which should be signposted to Pwllheli.

As you come down the hill into Pwllheli go straight across the mini roundabout, turn right at the t junction then straight on into High Street. The Tower Hotel is on the right opposite Barclays Bank. Go past the hotel and turn right down a narrow road and then right into the car park behind the hotel. You should find someone else from the group in the bar at the front of the hotel and then be able to organise getting to your rooms.