Sea Sport

Harbours

Manx harbours are operated and administered by the Department of Transport, Isle of Man Government and the lighthouses are maintained by the Northern Lighthouse Board, based in Edinburgh.

Besides the four main harbours mentioned below, there are good anchorages at Castletown and Derbyhaven in the south east, Laxey Bay in the east, and Port Erin in the south west. Most of the harbours are on the east coast, although, a visit to the west coast with its contrasting scenery is worthwhile.

Manx Cuisine

All Islands rely on the harvest from the sea, and the Isle of Man is no exception. Locally caught cod can be sampled regularly in many fish n' chip shops, but for the best delights restaurant eating is required.

The waters off the Island provide an ideal environment for the Island's famous Queenies. These small scallops are succulent and sweet, usually eaten in a cheese sauce or sauteed with bacon. Lobsters also find homes in rocky coves around the Island. Caught daily, weather permitting, their flavour is supreme.

From July through August, Peel is enveloped in wood smoke, the herrings' nemesis. Traditional Manx kippers must surely be the finest. Extreme care is taken over the curing process, which remains a well guarded secret, the flavour has to be tasted to be believed. However you cook them, one local curer maintains that lime and lemon marmalade on toast is the best accompaniment!

Diving

There may be a mere 75,000 residents on the Isle of Man but there is a massive amount of diving around the Island. With 100 miles of coastline, unlimited, easily accessible dive locations with the surrounding countryside just a few moments away, the Island offers some truly spectacular diving around this unspoilt sea.

The Isle of Man has a wealth of excellent dive sites with the opportunity of seeing lobsters, wrasse, seals, basking sharks and much much more, as well as many wrecks and other fantastic marine life. The Isle of Man has been quoted to be a massive untapped diving market...

Fishing

There are 4 million anglers in the UK, from those who just dangle a bit of string in the water to the dedicated all-weather enthusiast with a complete armoury of tackle

But no matter what type of angler you are, you'll find that fishing in the Isle of Man is, quite simply, unique.

The most obvious advantage is the size of the Island. Measuring 33 miles long by 13 miles wide (approximately 50km by 20km wide) there's never far to travel to reach either a river, reservoir or stretch of quiet coastline to enjoy a day's peaceful fishing whilst savouring the tranquility of the Island. In addition, access to most rivers, reservoirs and Shorelines is extremely easy.

There are about 95 miles of coastline, ranging from sandy beaches to rocky headlands, tranquil riverbanks plus six reservoirs from which to choose. For one morning you could be fishing at high water at the rugged Point of Ayre, right at the northern most tip of the Island, then in the afternoon, you could be down in picturesque Port St Mary, at the south of the Island, fishing at low water in an area with a distinct maritime atmosphere.

Sea Kayaking

The Isle of Man has a stunning coastline and it is inhabited by a dazzling array of marine life, from basking sharks and seals to puffins and porpoises. Kayaking is an unobtrusive way of viewing these fascinating creatures in their own habitat.