Uncertainly was definitely in the air right up until we turned up at Mosman Whalf to board the ‘large’ boat to set sail for Magic point just south of Maroubra. The swell on Friday was reported to be around 5m and the boat looked unlikely to go, however due to good conditions on Saturday and a great Sunday morning it was confirmed to go. Was meant to be a meet at 1pm for a departure of 1.30pm, but that turned into a meet at 1 and a departure of 1.05pm!!
The swell was as per predicted around 1m, everyone could handle the 40 minute trip to the dive site, except one poor sole who on our arrival decided to feed the fish, bringing in the bait for the sharks was a good plan.
With Ben A assisting the dive manager (the skipper) two by two we entered the water to dive at ‘Magic Point’, my first reaction was ‘boy that’s cold’. We all went about our individual dives hunting for the cave where the Grey Nurse Sharks like to congregate. The quantity of fish was amazing, schools of different kinds feeding and wondering what the hell we were doing.
The Grey Nurse Sharks were in and around the cave but due to the poorish visibility (~6m) seeing them was a little tricky, especially as they seemed to stay in the cave while Ben C I were there. Gary and Ben A reported seeing 6 at one point. It was far too cold for me to sit on the bottom and wait for them to come to me, note for next time, get a thicker wetsuit.
We all made it safely back to the boat for Ben A to record the details in order to progress his Sports Diver qualification. Up came the anchor and off we set for the next dive site, Shark point was debated, however it looked as though it would be diving in a washing machine, so we passed on this location and moved onto ‘The Gap’.
I was assisting the dive manager for this one to finish my Sports Diver qualification and also trying to warm up after the previous dive. The divers went in and explored the area, Gary, Ben and Ben managed to find a Weedy Sea Dragon, Port Jackson and a Wobbegong while Jonathan and Duncan saw a turtle amongst other things.
More practice with DSMB’s resulted in a fully inflated one from Ben A, which meant he came up a little sooner than planned (apparently its not the first time he has shot too early!!). One unfortunate person didn’t like the small swell and while floating on the surface decided to feed the fish one final time, all around him – much to Ben A’s amusement! Further recording of dive details finalised the afternoons diving and we headed back to Mosman Whalf and eventually to the pub for post dive refreshments. Everyone seemed to enjoy the dives, the weather was fantastic and little swell was perfect conditions for a great couple of dives, just a shame the visibility couldn’t have been a bit better, oh and it be a bit warmer. Maybe next time we will be able to fill the large boat up.
