‘Festive tradition’ continues with diving in St Peter Port harbour

Thursday 24 December 2020

Every year on Christmas Day, people are allowed to dive in parts of St Peter Harbour, and for those looking for the next shipwreck or treasure trove, this year is no different.

Any dive will still need to be carried out with an organised group.

There are few if any scheduled commercial sailings on Christmas Day, which is why, for one day only, people are allowed to explore the harbour underwater. During a past dive on Christmas Day, a Gallo Roman shipwreck was discovered in the entrance.

“Christmas Day is the only day in which diving by organised groups can be carried out safely in the designated harbour areas,” said Guernsey’s Harbourmaster, Captain David Barker.

“I would like to thank our staff who will be providing cover for the hyperbaric chamber at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital should the need be required.”

There are some rules to where you can and cannot dive on the day. Diving will be permitted in the area of the Pierheads and to the west of a line drawn from the old lifeboat slip, to the turning dolphin on the New Jetty.

You cannot dive around any of the commercial berths to the East of the New Jetty.

Pictured top: You cannot dive in the St Peter Port harbour on any other day of the year.