Ben, Gary, Hartley, Paul, and the two Steves met at 7.30 in Shiprock Road, in time to secure a parking spot, a casual stroll down to Shiprock Reserve to check out the entry and exit points and the scenery of Port Hacking, and a leisurely gearing up for the 8.30 dive. We took full advantage of the turning tide to drift with the current along the wall and, once the tide turned, return with the current on the way back. During the dive we experienced the beautiful soft corals and abundant fish life that Shiprock is renowned for, with highlights including a green sea turtle, pineapple fish, catfish, wobbegongs, PJs, and other large schools of fish. Dive time was just under an hour, water temperature a very pleasant 21 degrees, and visibility varied between 3 and 10 metres. Paul aptly evaluated the dive with one word: “fantastic”.
Post-dive coffee was at Vitalo on Port Hacking Road, where the delicious Bacon and Egg Rolls were devoured by hungry divers. This is also where Paul’s dive log (written on a serviette) almost came to an unfortunate end at the hands of (actually, at the mouth of) Ben.
Another great Sydney shore dive!
Post-dive debrief.
