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Scuba Diving Norway, Europe
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Dive Site: Molla Wall
Location: Kabelvaag, Norway
Description: Wall dive
Depth: 7 - 45 metres (23 - 148 feet)
Visibility: 15 metres (50 feet)
Rating: ***
Molla Wall is near the mountain "Molla" in Lofoten. Approximately an hour ride from the Lofotdykk dive centre in Kabelvaag in the RIB the seas were very rough due to bad weather. The dive starts from a small cove which is sheltered from the wind and waves and allows the RIB to drop a small anchor into 7 metres of water. Entering from the RIB over the 7m shelf the visibility was excellent, although the water always had a deep green hue. This was due in most part to the lack of overhead sunlight. Although we got around 4 hours daylight per day, the sun never lifted over the back of the mountains meaning what little light there was did not penetrate very deep into the water. It was certainly advisable to carry a powerful torch so that you could appreciate the vivid colour and visibility.
As we headed away from the RIB with the rocky wall to our right shoulders the seabed dropped away in steps, until we reached a large drop off. Rather than dropping straight down into the depths the underwater mountain rolled away over a smooth, curved rock face which was simply enormous. Dropping to 45m the underwater cliffs seemed endless. We ascended slowly up the sloping face returning to the kelp covered slopes from 25m up. There were small brown cod drifting effortlessly amongst the kelp fronds and bright pink sea urchins. As we reached the anchor line we could feel the swell above from 6m as we made our safety stops. Wearing an otter super-skin membrane suit with thermal underwear, a long sleeve top and thinsulate was adequate for 40 minutes diving in the 6 degree water, however cold hands were always an issue in wet gloves.
Rik Vercoe, BSAC Advanced Diver
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