Shark Point 24th May 2008

Dive No. 309. 10.56 am, 19 degrees, 38 mins, 16.2 max, 10.1 avDM Patrick decided to try Shark Point after the prevailing westerlies of the week but when we arrived at Clovelly car park the incoming swell looked pretty formidable. Patrick, however, was still keen to give it a go, even though there were a couple of real beginners in the group, which comprised Liz, Keith, Amanda, Lilly, two pommie blokes, an Aussie woman and me. We entered in the pool and headed east and the incoming surge was incredible (Amanda felt scared and held Liz’s hand for the first 5 minutes or so). The water was lovely and warm and the vis was incredible, factors which made it much easier to cope with the challenging swell. The highlight fish-wise was a huge school of Old Wifes, probably more than a hundred. We also saw a beardie, schools of yellowtail, mados and hulas and plenty of morwongs. There was also a sighting of a giant cuttlefish and a PJ but I missed them. The trip back was the real adventure for the day: it was very difficult to swim against the surge which seemed to throw me back 10 metres for every metre I made forward! Finally I saw the welcome sight of the deep water and sand of Clovelly pool and headed down to the bottom and respite from the pounding surf. You can usually depend on Patrick to turn a Saturday shore dive into a major adventure!

Bare Island 17th May 2008

Dive No. 308. 10.58 am, 18 degrees, 49 mins, 18.3 max, 11 av
We entered at the back of the island slightly to the east and headed west, exiting at the usual spot. It was quite easy getting about three quarters of the way around the island; I have circumnavigated it once with Patrick and that seemed like a bit of a slog so maybe the currents were more favorable this time. The water temperature was colder than expected and there wasn’t a lot of fish life about, especially large fish: we saw cuttlefish, WSD, yellowtail and pomfret schools, octopus. A highlight was a sighting of a horseshoe leatherjacket, a beautifully-coloured fish, almost like a tropical parrot fish or trigger fish. The vis was good, especially at the beginning when we were the only divers.

Sth Maroubra 3rd May 2008

Dive 307. 10.47 am, 18 degrees, 57 mins, 14 max, 9.5 av
South westerly winds had been blowing over the last few days which made Sth Maroubra - a rarely-dived site - a goer. Dave Young was divemaster with a large group; I buddied with Liz, Julian and John. We entered via the rocks at the extreme southern end near the rifle range, the water was clear and there were plenty of fish about, mainly large schools of yellowtail and pomfret. Also a couple of weedy sea dragons, a cranky-looking giant cuttlefish and a wobbegong. Liz said thatDave caught sight of a blue devil fish but we didn’t see it. The current at the beach on exit was quite strong and it took me a while to get back in.