Yes, I know what you’re thinking: Pimpernel Rock is a myth, a legend, like Windarra Banks. But we actually got there and dived it ... again!

It gets worse. Both the swim-through tunnels were identified and dived by Chris and Mark. We even found a little cave in 44m of water at the base of the second tunnel. At least 12 grey nurse sharks were cruising in the archway, including a large pregnant female. Other highlights included a massive school of mulloway - at least 200 fish - and car-sized black cod. 

This dive weekend had three objectives:
  1. Get everyone back safe;
  2. Dust off those accelerated decompression skills for those qualified; and
  3. Dive the rock!

Days 1 and 2 saw us diving South Solitary Island at Anemone Bay, Boulders and The Steps as well as North Solitary Island at Fish Soup. It was a good “shake out” diving while we waited for the 2 - 2.5m swell to drop.

Highlights included four turtles, two grey nurse sharks, a school of barracuda, moray eels (with a great photo taken by Alex of a moray getting ready to pounce on a hermit crab as it changed shells), painted crayfish and a massive yellowtail kingfish about the size of a bronze whaler.

On day 3 we dived Pimpernel Rock. Twice. There was a “sporting” current on the second dive.

Great diving, great company and good deco diving. 

Keen to run this trip again next year in May.

Thanks to Alex McDowall for the magnificent photographs!