Northwest Australia and Sydney
- Thread starter tynee
- Start date
Never been there, but an old friend from Sydney went diving with me here in NY when he was here on business several years ago. He said diving in Long Island Sound was much like diving around Sydney. During their summer season the East Australia Current brings juvenile tropicals into Sydney much like the Gulf Stream brings juvenile tropicals to Long Island. It also means the water is bit cool, think full 6-7mm wetsuit 
think cold not cool and you will be fine. I prefer their summer months as I am a warm water wimp. Take some time to wander around near the harbor and check what is playing in the theater. I love Australia but especially prefer Southern Australia near Adelaide and Kangaroo Island as far as diving is concerned. Worth the trip if you have enough time. Qantas is a bit sticky about luggage.
We went to Sydney in Aug. a few years ago. It is there Winter. Was not freezing but cool. Most days it was in the 50s-60s. Was warm enough to do the bridge climb but way too cold for me to dive. Hope to go back someday during our winter i.e. their summer.
Definitely suggest the bridge climb. It was way cool.
Bart
Definitely suggest the bridge climb. It was way cool.
Bart
Whale Sharks
Whale Sharks
Well, I decided to spend my extra time in Exmouth in Northwest AUS instead of 4 days in Sydney, and it definately paid off. Did a snorkel trip today and got to swim with the whale sharks. It was amazing. A bunch of other things showed up as if on cue as well, including a hammerhead, a few manta rays, an eagle ray, and loads of humpbacks. we even had a mother and calf swim directly beneath us and surface next to the boat (within 10 feet). Tomorrow I am headed to dive "The Navy Pier", locally touted as one of the top ten scuba sites in the world, guess we'll see...
Whale Sharks
Well, I decided to spend my extra time in Exmouth in Northwest AUS instead of 4 days in Sydney, and it definately paid off. Did a snorkel trip today and got to swim with the whale sharks. It was amazing. A bunch of other things showed up as if on cue as well, including a hammerhead, a few manta rays, an eagle ray, and loads of humpbacks. we even had a mother and calf swim directly beneath us and surface next to the boat (within 10 feet). Tomorrow I am headed to dive "The Navy Pier", locally touted as one of the top ten scuba sites in the world, guess we'll see...
Ok, bear with me. I brought a video camera, but noticed the ase was rated for only 20 feet, so no pics, but I'll give some info:
The dive went great. The only drawback I noticed was that there weren't as many colorful corals as I've seen elsewhere. Otherwise, it was fantastic. The amount and diversity of marine life was unparalleled. It was definately not a challengiing dive, as everything was within 40 feet deep and all congregated around the large and well-spaced pilings. There was very little flow, and would be a great choice for inexperienced divers.
Some schools were so thick it felt like I had to wade through them. There were a variety of sharks, eels, and many different nudibranches. Large groupers, many squirrel fish, scorpionfish, very large lobsters, etc. I could fill a couple pages with all the species.
They handed out 5mil suits, zip up the front (zipper was uncomfortable) and didn't wear gloves or booties. I think I confused them a little since I used my own gauges and AGA mask (they record presure in Bars, not Psi). Only one dive company is allowed to dive the site, and the contract is re-let every year. The current company Ningaloo Dreaming also offers occasional night dives. Unfortunately I was flying the next day, so I had to do the day dive.
for accomodations, I stayed at the Best Western Resort, next t the Navy base. It is a little distance out of town, I walked it once and that was enough. But they offer a shuttle to and from the airport and for dinner if you wish to eat in town. The staff were very friendy and helpfull with booking tours in the area.
In town, the only fairly good restaurant is Whalers. They serve a pretty good Kangaroo Loin, which is pretty close to a tender venison steak.
Well now that you are all quite bored, I'll wrap it up. even though I didn't get any pictures of the dive, I did get extensive video of the whale shark snorkeling trip, as well as a professionally edited one from a videographer on the boat. So I will be returning with sme proof!
The dive went great. The only drawback I noticed was that there weren't as many colorful corals as I've seen elsewhere. Otherwise, it was fantastic. The amount and diversity of marine life was unparalleled. It was definately not a challengiing dive, as everything was within 40 feet deep and all congregated around the large and well-spaced pilings. There was very little flow, and would be a great choice for inexperienced divers.
Some schools were so thick it felt like I had to wade through them. There were a variety of sharks, eels, and many different nudibranches. Large groupers, many squirrel fish, scorpionfish, very large lobsters, etc. I could fill a couple pages with all the species.
They handed out 5mil suits, zip up the front (zipper was uncomfortable) and didn't wear gloves or booties. I think I confused them a little since I used my own gauges and AGA mask (they record presure in Bars, not Psi). Only one dive company is allowed to dive the site, and the contract is re-let every year. The current company Ningaloo Dreaming also offers occasional night dives. Unfortunately I was flying the next day, so I had to do the day dive.
for accomodations, I stayed at the Best Western Resort, next t the Navy base. It is a little distance out of town, I walked it once and that was enough. But they offer a shuttle to and from the airport and for dinner if you wish to eat in town. The staff were very friendy and helpfull with booking tours in the area.
In town, the only fairly good restaurant is Whalers. They serve a pretty good Kangaroo Loin, which is pretty close to a tender venison steak.
Well now that you are all quite bored, I'll wrap it up. even though I didn't get any pictures of the dive, I did get extensive video of the whale shark snorkeling trip, as well as a professionally edited one from a videographer on the boat. So I will be returning with sme proof!
