Saturday, April 14, 2012

South West Rocks: Day three




Day three: Saturday 14th April 2012


After a little confusion regarding boat time (7am not 8am as yesterday!) we had some breakfast and then headed downstairs to get our gear ready and head out.

THE Divas! (L-R Jen, Em & Bec)


The seas had dropped since yesterday so the journey out was much quicker and as we were on the dryer boat (and the dry side) we didn’t get wet at all! It felt like a matter of minutes till we were moored up alongside Fish Rock.

DIVE ONE

Grey Nurse Shark and his little friends
We were going to dive with two gentlemen and our DM would again be Mike. We were the first in and again the visibility was awesome – YAY!! We descended and headed for the Blind Gutter again, just before we dropped into the gutter I counted 14 GNS in the gutter!! Bec and Jen soon got into position to take pictures whilst I just gazed at these amazing creatures. I was very lucky to have one swim 1.5m round me and I must admit to holding my breath in awe!


We also noticed that there was Black Coral around this area, something which I haven’t seen before and it was nice to see it growing so well here.

GNS and Black Coral (yes its white!)

There wasn’t just GNS around the gutters either, not to be outdone there was a large (2m) Wobbegong lazying on a ledge and didn’t seem to be bothered by Bec taking a portrait of him!

A super close up (no zoom used!) - Bec was not harmed in the taking of this!

After heading back across to a shallower ledge we had a mooch around checking out the other fishes and Dive Diva Smurf  (DDS) made lots of new friends!  As DDS has had an array of adventures she will have her own blog – coming soon!

Total dive time 56 min, 28.9m max depth and 23c.

DIVE TWO

Diving with the same guys and DM as before but this time we would be heading into the cave again. There was a strong current getting to the caves deep entrance but we made it through and with the Divas at the back we made our way in.

Again seeing huge camera shy lobsters and wobbegongs we made our way slowly through the cave, stopping to gaze up at the Black Cod; all very camera shy today!

Star War Fish Rock style!

As we made our way towards the exit looking back I turned forwards to see a HUGE Turtle  (1.5m long) swimming towards us in the cave, it headed straight to Bec who was obviously in his way and got shoved out the way by this beautiful Turtle. No time for the bubble cave today as we’d been taking lots of pictures there was a group fast approaching so we headed out into the light.

A HUGE Turtle in the cave

We made our way towards the little drop off and got hit by a huge current, fighting against it to get round the corner we soon turned and drifted with the current back towards the boat. Along the way we saw another turtle (a smaller one) on his way up for a breath of air.

Turbo turtle power!

Then back to the boat for our safety stop and some more bat fish feeding – I love these strange looking guys.

Bat fish having their lunch - Thanks Jen :)


Total dive time 55 min, 24m max depth and again a lovely 23c.

Another AWESOME days diving and we certainly had HUGE smiles on our faces. The only sad point is that we only have one more day left – it’s flying by!


Once back at the shop; gear clean and showered, and as it was still only 1pm headed to a local café for a yummy lunch and coffee. Back to the dive shop where we set up our gear for the next day and then sat down (with a glass of vino of course!) to go through the photos and re-live the dive to fill you all in!

After another 'interesting' meal last night we’ve decided to try the pub tonight and have some traditional pub grub! Nom nom

Those silly Divas! ;D


We are so very lucky with the amazing dives this weekend and are being looked after so well, the accommodation at the dive shop is excellent with plenty of room and lovely hot showers at the end of the day. What more could three lucky Divas need?!

Diving Divas Australia J

Pictures by: Rebecca and Jennifer
Words by: Emma 

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