Dive hoons! Don't let them run you over ...!

Friday 25th

A beautiful start to the day. Clear skies, light winds and calm seas. Andy was the dive manager for the day, and surprisingly we left at the allotted 0830. Performing the beach launch was a new experience for some, and has left an indelible mark, apparently. Those of us who have had rougher launches in the past thought it went very well, as we hadn't lost any gear, personnel or pride behind on the beach!

After a quick dash across the slight seas we arrived at western side of Flat Rock near the turtle caves. In our buddy pairs we eventually flopped over the side to a very reasonable 15 metre visibility, and a huge amount of fish. All the usual reef varieties were present, but also a large shoal of Jacks. Some saw Shovel-nosed Rays, most saw Eagle Rays and there was even a fleeting glimpse of a Dusky Whaler. Octopus were out and about, Mantis Shrimp were seen darting for cover and a few small green turtles were present. There was a ‘hoo’n about (Mr Garvey, of course!) whizzing about on some aquatic hair-dryer, abducting divers for a quick tour then returning them, white-faced, to their previous locations. Other than that, all was right with the world…

We then motored over to Manta Bommie for our usual surface interval, a cup of soup and a snake or three. Descending again in our pairs we crept around awaiting the arrival of some mantas. True to its name, the Bommie provided us with three large mantas, flapping around, seemingly unperturbed by our presence. The large rays would casually fly past, graceful and silent, only to disappear into the distance, only to return at some completely random direction minutes later. This dive alone is worth the effort to come to the Island to dive!

Saturday 26th

Another great start to the day. We launched by 0810 and made our way out to Flat Rock for some training and general wandering around on the western side. Eagle Rays were about again, along with the usual resident turtles, crayfish, Yellow Spotted Moray eels, the whirlwind of Jacks again and many reef fish.

The swell seemed to pick up during the first dive, so it was with some trepidation that we motored over Manta Bommie. As this site is relatively shallow, the increased sea-state resulted in somewhat of a washing machine effect down below. Unfazed, we dropped in at the south east of the two mounts and was treated to two or three Mantas slowly circling the site. Conditions were not improving, so after approx. 40 minutes we ascended and made our way back to the beach.

Several people went back out to Manta Bommie in the afternoon for some training, and found the conditions had improved greatly. Several others decided that several purchases from a local gelato/ coffee shop were more to their liking! One even bought a new hat, which the club is interested in hiring as a 10-man life raft on future expeditions… 👒

Mr Garvey, realising that what he had trodden in was not
chocolate mousse with sprinkles!

Sunday 27th

Some rain overnight left substantial cloud cover this morning, resulting in a slightly cooler but humid morning. The author of this account did not dive as the gelato shop needed further investigation, however more intrepid souls embarked on a trip to Shag Rock for an altogether splendid dive, and another at Manta where conditions had subsided somewhat.

Less intrepid souls had to ‘endure’ a casual breakfast at about 0900, closely followed by a leisurely trip out for another coffee/ ice cream, then a wander around the local Sunday Market. If one has an interest in live ukulele playing and a mediocre sausage sizzle, this is the place for you! After a short walk on the beach, and another coffee/ carrot cake combo, we retired to the accommodation for a well earned snooze. Diving can be so tiring…

In the evening, we had a barbecue, accompanied by a very good potato salad. Whilst the barbecue was being prepared, several club members arrived back from more ‘hooning’ around on the many and varied local four-wheel drive tracks on the island. It was now after dark, and in the absence of any light (or sturdy footwear!) Mr Garvey manage to stand in a reasonably sized puddle of raw canine sewage! The author was one of the first on scene and later reports of Mr Garvey squealing like a girl are not an exaggeration. The fact that in his mutterings about ‘corks’ and ‘dogs backsides’ he managed to stand in another pile, slid along the dew ridden grass in an almost graceful splits motion, with the accompanying soprano squeal, is a scene that will not be lost to several club members for years to come… 🐶💩💩😂

With the boat loaded by 0630, we were relatively awake for the dive briefing at 0645. We launched and were out at Boat Rock for about 0730. Clear condition with some swell and current provided some testing conditions, with the rewards of Eagle Rays, Octopus and a myriad of fish. Due to the restrictions of site and conditions, this was a shorter dive of approx. 40 minutes. Once back aboard, we had a very cursory look at Manta Bommie. The swell had increased again overnight, so it was decided that Shag Rock would be our final dive site of this trip.

An easy site with approx. 15-18 metres of visibility at the start of the dive. Training was carried out here again, and others had a general wander around the site. Visibility reduced as the currents changed, so some closer monitoring was needed. Out on the sand were many small rays, and a small group of squid were seen hovering over the site. I found a rather grumpy octopus in a hole, who was very unhappy to see us. Returning to the boat, this octopus had given the same response to other divers. There's no pleasing some Cephalopods…!

Once we had cleared the accommodation, we travelled to the ferry terminal (via a shop that sells ice cream!) and, despite the lingering smell of dog poo, boarded and left the island for our journey home.

May I take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the planning of this trip, specifically Hannah Reynolds for planning, logistics and execution, and Kath Harding for the food management (and my education of the different towels, hand and tea!). Finally, a great thank you to Ken, for his cheery humour and local knowledge.

Can anyone else smell something…?!

- Will

The author, relaxing, after a massive affogato session

(Above) The imaginatively-named Yellow Spotted Boxfish​