Looks brilliant fun, IS brilliant fun! This webcam covers the kart circuit located in Jurby in the north of the Isle of Man.

For A Full Size Image & Automatic 15 Second Refreshes Be Sure To Check Out The Duke-Track-Days Website

Jurby Go Karts Webcam is a post from: On The Isle of Man

Current Isle of Man Shipping Forecast

General Pressure Outlook -
High pressure is centred to the Northeast of the British Isles.
Wind Direction & Strength –
Variable 2 or 3 settling east to southeast 3 or 4 overnight and occasionally touching 5 tomorrow morning.
Sea State –
Slight.
General Weather –
Fair.
Visibility At Sea –
Moderate or good.

Wind Predictions

Weather Stations

Ramsey Weather Station

Douglas Weather Station

Peel Weather Station

Castletown Weather Station

Isle of Man Shipping Forecast is a post from: On The Isle of Man

View The Port Erin Webcam

Port Erin Webcam is a post from: On The Isle of Man

If there is one thing I find strange about the various cruise lines around the world it’s that so few even think about stopping in the Isle of Man. I’ve been fortunate enough to have been on several cruises in various places and to see people getting so excited about visiting ruins which, to be quite frank, are not a patch on what I can find within 20 minutes of our house. This may sound tongue in cheek but I’m being serious, the Isle of Man is a stunning destination for a cruise visit.

Looking at things subjectively I think most people would agree that the island is even more suited as a cruise destination than to longer stays. The Isle of Man is a small island with many historical sites in close proximity to each other with easy access for those on a standard 8-9 hour cruise day. Like I said above I have been on cruises where 1500 people have bought excursions that mainly comprised of looking at a rather unimpressive pile of rocks which were “perhaps” once something and then being shipped off to a factory shop and pressured into buying something. To get so excited over so little I could only imagine how their faces would react to seeing Peel Castle, a trip around the almost complete ruins of Castle Rushen, topping the day off with a walk up the worlds largest working water wheel. We’ll ignore the actual natural beauty of the island for a moment.

Of course the Isle of Man doesn’t have the weather that can guarantee cruise guests shorts and t-shirts but I don’t think that matters. Cruises tend to fall into 2 categories, history & culture or sun and sand. I would love to see the Isle of Man pushed more as a destination for the first. The Isle of Man government needs to be more proactive in this, there are several good deep water moorings around the island besides Douglas. I would suggest cruise lines tender to shore in the more traditional parts of the island, Douglas IS NOT the Isle of Man. I was fortunate enough today to bump into several cruise guests who were wandering lost up and down Strand Street, the disappointment etched on their faces. My advice was to jump on a bus and get out of Douglas ASAP. Bad roads and squeeky buses are soon forgotten when you are greeted by the site of the central valley being kissed by the last embers of the morning cloud and Snaefell peaking through in the distance, all enjoyed from the number 4 bus. Yes I know it doesn’t sound much if you live here, trust me, we’re spoilt.

If this sounds like I’m preaching then I’ll apologise now, it’s only because I really do believe in this. Of all the ways the island could increase its income this for me is the best. The Isle of Man has a huge amount to offer, to the right people.

2010 Cruises To The Isle of Man

August 1st on the Cruise&Maritime Voyages ship Ocean Countess which leaves Leith on the 24th of July. Click Here to see the full list of destinations on this cruise and availability.

August 9th on the Hebridean Princess which is stopping in Peel and sets sale from Oban on the 5th of August. Click Here for more information.

August 12th & 13th on Residensea’s The World. Click Here for more information.

August 23rd on the P&O Cruises ship Artemis which leaves Southampton on the 16th of August. Click Here to see the full list of destinations on this cruise and availability.

September 4th on the Cruise&Maritime Voyages ship Marco Polo which leaves London on the 29th of August. Click Here to see the full list of destinations on this cruise and availability.

2011 Cruises To The Isle of Man

July 12th on the Oceania Cruises ship Marina which leaves Copenhagen on the 1st of July. Click Here to see the full list of destinations on this cruise and availability.

July 24th on the Oceania Cruises ship Marina which leaves Dover on the 15th of July. Click Here to see the full list of destinations on this cruise and availability.

Have You Been On A Cruise That Visited The Isle of Man? If so why not leave a comment and let us know how it was for you. All feedback will be forwarded on to Isle of Man tourism.

Are There Any Cruises That Visit The Isle of Man? is a post from: On The Isle of Man

The Isle of Man in particular is very well suited to starting your Geocaching career. Measuring just 33 miles long by 11 miles wide and with over 300 caches you are never far from your next find, I know from experience that some locals have been shocked by just how many hidden caches there are in and around the towns in particular..

Discover Some Of The Secret Beauty Spots On The Isle of Man Like The Real Fairy Bridge

To get started with Geocaching you’ll need a GPS device of some sort. Of course many modern mobile phones come with GPS technology built in but there are even cheaper ways of getting started with Garmin producing several low cost hand held GPS units including those designed for runners which are ideal for locating Geocaches. The next step is to sign up at the Geocaching.com website (which is free) and then search for Geocaches on the Isle of Man (you can use this list of Isle of Man Geocaches if you like). That’s all you need. Once you’ve paid for your GPS this has got to be one of the cheapest hobbies you can do. Who knows, start your Geocaching career on the Isle of Man and you might just want to try it when you get home as well.

Some Cheaper GPS Units To Get You Started With Geocaching

Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Watch – Approximately £140 and does the job as good as anything else. Don’t be scared because it’s worn on the wrist, the GPS receiver in this unit works well even under tree canopy cover.

Garmin 76csx – Great for use on the boat but also a fantastic hand held unit for Geocaching. The ability to add extra map information and a colour display puts this a solid step above the Garmin Forerunner but for around £250 you’d expect it to.

Geocaching is a post from: On The Isle of Man

Peel Bridge Webcam

Peel Marina Bridge Webcam is a post from: On The Isle of Man

In terms of its position on Douglas promenade it’s harder to find a location more central than that of the Hilton Hotel Isle of Man. The Hilton is another of those hotels that seems to attract families and business visitors in equal measure, perhaps something to do with the familiarity of staying at a Hilton Hotel? The Hilton boasts an impressive array of facilities including the Isle of Man’s only casino and numerous function rooms which are very popular for local weddings, we held our reception at the Hilton!

As with most of the Hotels situated on Douglas promenade the Hilton has very good transport links if you’re looking to use it as a base from which to seek out other parts of the island. A number of bus routes run past the front of the building. If you don’t fancy a bus there is a taxi rank right outside or if you’re feeling a little more adventurous then the horse trams that run up and down the prom give access to the Manx Electric Railway at one end and a 5 minute walk to the main bus station and Steam Railway station at the other. For those that wish to either bring their car over on the Steampacket or hire a car then the Hilton has a large car park at the back, vital with parking being so tight on the actual promenade itself. As long as you avoid Friday and Saturday nights Douglas promenade is a nice walk and if you’re staying at the Hilton it is about 10 minutes to the main shopping area. Five minutes away you will find the Gaiety Theatre and Villa Marina complex and if you enjoy the Cinema then the islands only 3D enabled cinema is right next to the front door.

The Hilton is one of the best equipped hotels on the Isle of Man. As well as the sport and leisure facilities found at several other Manx hotels it also houses the Isle of Mans only Casino (instant membership is available, just bring ID) which also includes the very well regarded Atlantis restaurant. Down stairs on the main prom you’ll find Colours, one of the most popular bars on the Isle of Man and a great place for a bite to eat as well as being a good spot if you’re looking for somewhere a little more lively on your weekend. Pizza Palace is an affordable family restaurant and there is also the option of eating in the Paragon Bar and Restaurant, the carvary in particular is a firm favourite.

Rooms at the Hilton are as you’d expect and come complete with a usual selection of facilities. You’ll find tea and coffee making facilities, television, hair dryer and 24 hour room service. The room decor is modern.

Overall the Hilton Hotel Isle of Man is a great place to stay for both the business person only on the island for a day or two and the family looking for a longer holiday. You’ll not find a hotel on the Isle of Man with more facilities.

Check Hilton Prices And Availability

Hilton Hotel Facilities

• Casino
• 24 Hour Reception
• Air Conditioned
• ATM / Cash Machine
• Banquet Facilities
• Bar / Lounge
• Bath / Hot Tub
• Business Center
• Cable / Satellite TV
• Coffee / Tea Maker
• Concierge
• Conference Room(s)
• Currency Exchange
• Disabled Access
• Fitness Room
• Gymnasium
• Hair Dryer
• High-speed Internet
• Laundry Service
• Meeting Rooms
• Parking
• Restaurant
• Room Service
• Safe-Deposit Box
• Security Guard
• Swimming pool

How To Find The Hilton Hotel Isle of Man

Hilton Hotel – Isle of Man is a post from: On The Isle of Man

Or to give it its full title the Mount Murray Hotel And Country Club is one of the latest hotel developments on the island. This is perhaps the most popular hotel on the Isle of Man for weddings, the Mount Murray is a very well known local favourite. Much more than your average hotel the Mount Murray can boast a full 18 hole golf course within its grounds as well as squash courts, swimming pool and a complete members/guests only gym including fully qualified instructors. For those that prefer a more relaxed life style you can take advantage of the hydrotherapy unit which includes a plunge pool, spa and steam rooms.

If natural beauty is your thing then you’ll struggle to find a better hotel on the island, the Mount Murray is set within 200 acres of Manx countryside. On the other hand if you prefer to be close to the action (as much action as the island ever gets anyway) then the Mount Murray may not be for you. Although it is only a 10-15 minute taxi ride to the islands capital Douglas local taxis are anything but cheap, if you are doing this several times a day then the costs will soon add up. The road to Santon and the Mount Murray is one of the busiest on the island and isn’t really a practical walk (well perhaps once for the novelty value). There is the option of catching a bus just outside the hotel which will either take you to the south of the island via the airport or the other way into Douglas. A large car park is available for guests who want to bring their own car or hire one. As with all hotels a little bit out of the way it’s a balancing act between distance and convenience! Remember though that at the end of the day it is a very small island and the splendour of the Mount Murray may be just what you are looking for, especially for those golf fans (besides the Hotel course there are 2 more 18 hole courses including the very well known Castletown Golf Links within 15 minutes drive).

In terms of on site facilities as well as the talked about health and lifestyle amenities you’ll find a business centre, high speed internet access, a very good restaurant and the Sports Bar. The Conservatory in particular has great views over the lake (did we forget to mention the lake?) and golf course. As you would expect from any modern hotel the rooms themselves are well appointed with Satellite TV plus coffee and tea making facilities. Disabled guests are well provided for at the Mount Murray.

Overall the Mount Murray delivers a very good hotel plus country club experience. If you’re looking for a hotel a little bit away from the town life of Douglas then the Mount Murray is the hotel for you.

Check Mount Murray Prices And Availability

Mount Murray Hotel Facilities

• 24 Hour Reception
• Banquet Facilities
• Bar / Lounge
• Cable / Satellite TV
• Coffee / Tea Maker
• Conference Room(s)
• Disabled Access
• Elevator / Lift
• Golf Course
• Gymnasium
• Hair Dryer
• High-speed Internet
• Laundry service
• Parking
• Porters
• Restaurant
• Room Service
• Safe-Deposit Box
• Sauna
• Swimming pool
• Tennis Courts

How To Find The Mount Murray

Mount Murray Hotel is a post from: On The Isle of Man

The Sefton Hotel is in my humble opinion the best of all the Isle of Man hotels. It’s certainly the one that I would be most comfy recommending to friends and family. Located almost smack bang in the centre of Douglas promenade you are 2 minutes away from the Villa Marina and literally a stone throw from the Gaiety Theatre. Because of it’s ideal location the Sefton has enjoyed stays from many celebrities filming on the island.

If you are planning to base yourself in the Sefton but want to reach out and explore other parts of the island then you are not short of options. There is an underground car park available for all guests (a nice feature as parking for more than 3 hours is very limited on the promenade), several bus routes pass by the front door and you are only 2 minutes away from a taxi rank. The Manx Electric railway can be reached in 5 minutes via a Horse Tram ride that goes right past the front of the building or if you like it’s a nice 20 minute walk, when the weather is nice that is! The main bus depot with connections to all other parts of the island is a 10 minute walk away and the islands famous Steam Railway is about 15 minutes walk, or a couple of pound in a taxi. If you are arriving via the Steam Packet then your transfer to the Sefton is a five minute taxi ride across Douglas prom.

As a modern hotel the Sefton contains all the amenities you would expect including a health centre (swimming pool, spa, steam room, gym, sauna), business centre and disabled access. In your room you’ll find coffee and tea making facilities, a fridge, TV and hair dryer. The rooms meet all expections of somebody expecting a modern purpose built hotel, something which I know other hotels on the island can sometimes disapoint with.

Being in the centre of Douglas anybody staying at the Sefton has access to the Isle of Mans limited night life but if you’d prefer the hotel has a great 1 rosette restaurant and the ever popular Sir Norman’s bar. As stated above, if you’re into your shows and stage acts then you are within 5 minutes of both of the islands main venues for this type of entertainment.

Overall then the Sefton Hotel is a great place to stay on the Isle of Man. Good food, fabulous friendly service, all the amenities a modern hotel guest could want plus great transport links.

Check Sefton Prices And Availability

Sefton Hotel Facilities

• Bar / Lounge
• Business Center
• Coffee / Tea Maker
• Concierge
• Conference Room(s)
• Disabled Access
• Elevator / Lift
• Fitness Room
• Gymnasium
• Hair Dryer
• High-speed Internet
• In Room Movies
• Parking
• Refrigerator
• Restaurant
• Sauna
• Spa bath / Jacuzzi
• Swimming pool
• TV

How To Find The Sefton

Sefton Hotel is a post from: On The Isle of Man

The main bulk of the park is set out into zones covering various habitats from all over the world. This layout allows the park to make the most of its available area and there are a surprising number of animals on show.

The Pampas (Grasslands located in Argentina) – Lots of bird life in this area including Humboldt Penguins, Chilean Flamingos and Coscoroba Swans.

The African Bush – Here you will find the Marsh Mongoose, Grivet Monkey as well as several species of Pelican.

The Asian Swamp – The Short-Clawed Otters are the firm favourite in this area but other species include Fisahing Cat, Sika Deer and Red Panda. Like the other areas of the park there are also a large number of habittat specific waterfowl present.

Other areas covered include the European Marsh, Amazon Forest and the American Trail (Complete with Raccoons).

Besides the more tropical ares of the Wildlife Park there are a couple of locally centered attractions, namely the Nature Trail and Butterfly Trail. The WildLife park is situated in the most important nature reserve on the island so both these trails offe great opportunities to see natural flora and fauna. Although not likely to be seen, the Curraghs in which the park is situated contains one of only a handful of wild Wallaby populations in Great Britain, they escaped and seem to have done really well for themselves!

As you’d expect with any modern attraction there is plenty of car parking space, toilet facilities and a visitor cafe. Public transport links are provided vis the bus service. For children there is a minature railway, play area and petting farm. The Wild Life park is open from Easter until the end of October daily and then at weekends over the winter period. As has been said before it’s not like the larger more traditional Zoo’s found elsewhere which may take several days to see everything, but for a nice family afternoon out where you’ll not have to walk your feet off Curraghs Wildlife Park provides great value for money (Only £18.50 for a family day ticket – 2 adults + 2 children) and a chance to see something a little different on the Isle of Man.

Curraghs Wildlife Park is a post from: On The Isle of Man