Dive #133. Lovin' the local leafies...

When: 14 February 2009
Location: The Bluff, Victor Harbour, South Australia
Depth: 8.2m
Bottom time: 62 mins
Viz: 4m
Water temp: 21°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Swiss native Fabian booked a guided leafy sea dragon tour with SB.

And who better?

We met 10. Yes, 10 leafies, ranging from juvenile to fully grown.

The conditions were lovely. Warm and sunny, and a gentle sea. But it's the Bluff, so as usual, there was surge. And the viz wasn't great. The sea there always reminds me of Won Ton soup, with stringy bits...

I spotted a juvenile moonlighter who thought I didn't see him, and darted off quite hurriedly, upset that I waved at him.

SB also came across a dozen crayfish hiding under a ledge.

All in all, a lovely, leafy dive!

Dive #132. Mr Ray @ Edithburgh

When: 7 February 2009
Location: Edithburgh Jetty, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia
Depth: 3.3m
Bottom time: 76 mins
Viz: 5m
Water temp: 25°C (wow!)
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

A lovely and warm return to diving. We love Edithburgh.

And what a special dive.

This was an underwater photography course dive (being taught by SB). As we and the three students (Mark, Bel and Pieter) were about to descend, a beautiful ray - about 1.5 to 2m wide - swam gracefully below us. He joined us again halfway through the dive.

Here's my startled face as he returned and glided behind SB:



And SB captured him beautifully on camera:



Other fish? Yes of course there were.

A particularly stunning nudibranch too.

But Mr Ray's visit was definitely the highlight.

Dive #131

When: 18 May 2008
Location: Edithburgh Jetty, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia
Depth: 7.9m
Bottom time: 79 mins
Water temp: 14°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

A bit chilly.

Another lovely dive...except a fisherman tried to hook me and it really spooked me!

Here I am, looking serene, legless, and like I've merged with the Edithburgh Jetty steps.

Dive #130

When: 27 April 2008
Location: Edithburgh Jetty, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia
Depth: 4.1m
Bottom time: 98 mins
Water temp: 17°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

This was a lovely long dive.

The plan was to swim north as far as we could and investigate the coastline on the way.

All the finning kept us toasty. As soon as we stopped, we got cold.

Dive #129

When: 26 April 2008
Location: Edithburgh Jetty, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia
Depth: 7.3m
Bottom time: 61 mins
Water temp: 17°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Scuba Buachall and I went for this dive quite late in the day.

The viz deteriorated quite a bit towards the end of the dive; the light was fading.

SB got some absolutely fantastic up-close-and-personal shots of a blue ringed octopus.

What do you think?

Dive #128

When: 25 April 2008
Location: Edithburgh Jetty, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia
Depth: 7.1m
Bottom time: 67 mins
Water temp: 19°C
Buddies: Scuba Buachall, Michelle T, Paul Z

Ah Edithburgh.

Such a lovely dive.

Dive #127

When: 8 March 2008
Location: Rapid Bay Jetty, South Australia
Depth: 5.4m
Bottom time: 60 mins
Viz: 10m
Water temp: 21°C
Buddy: Michelle T

A very hot day - 38°C!

Scuba Buachall took two underwater photography course students on a dive. Michelle T and I relaxed in the shallows and cooled down; then we decided to actually go for a dive!

Viz wasn't spectacular, which was a surprise. Usually it's excellent at Rapid Bay.

We actually got cold towards the end of the dive.

Dive #126

When: 10 February 2008
Location: Broken Bottom, Glenelg, South Australia
Depth: 9.1m
Bottom time: 48 mins
Viz: 10m
Water temp: 21°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall, Michelle T

Too long a surface interval indeed - almost seven months (gasp) since my last dive.

We launched SB's boat fom West Beach boat ramp (after rescuing always-hungry Tin Tin who managed to sneak out of the house while we were leaving, and meandered off to a neighbour's place to scoff their bbq food. The bemused neighbour's remark on the phone was 'I have your very hungry dog here'.)

Beautiful day, conditions lovely.

A really nice dive, although I was a bit anxious beforehand because of not having dived for so long. Used the new baby tank SB had bought for me (and one for himself too). I was relieved my ears didn't give me much trouble on the descent.

A couple of huge blue swimmer crabs showed off their big pincers and ferocious stares as SB faced them down. Stunning. A cute cowfish, leather jackets, tallmers, dusky morwongs, and a very shy blue devil were among the other fishies hanging around.

Back to the boat anchor to find it being dragged quite convincingly along the bottom. Uh oh, that meant a less-than-pleasant climb into the boat.

Diving, it's nice to be back.

Dives #123-125. The Minke Whale dive diaries: day three.

Dive #125
When: 15 July 2007
Location: Cod Hole, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia
Depth: 12.7m
Bottom time: 73 mins
Viz: 10-15m
Water temp: 23°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Some wonderful up-close-and-personal experiences - including 'drifting' - with huge potato cod. We also saw a gorgeous reef shark swim lazily over our heads.

And some serious current to contend with on our safety stop after we drifted - no, zoomed! - back to the boat.

Here I am, just hangin' with the cod. As you do.






Dive #124
When: 15 July 2007
Location: Pixie Pinnacle, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia
Depth: 21.8m
Bottom time: 61 mins
Viz: 10-15m
Water temp: 24°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Dive #123
When: 15 July 2007
Location: Pixie Pinnacle, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia
Depth: 28.6m
Bottom time: 60 mins
Viz: 10-15m
Water temp: 24°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

This beautiful shot of a nudibranch earned Scuba Buachall second place in the Mike Ball Spoilsport on-board photo competition.

Which isn't surprising.

Yep, he came first AND second in the competition. What a great photographer he is! :-)

Dives #118-122. The Minke Whale dive diaries: day two.

Dive #122
When: 14 July 2007
Location: Challenger Bay, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia
Depth: 10.7m
Bottom time: 59 mins
Viz: 10-15m
Water temp: 21°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Notice the decreasing water temperatures!

Dive #121
When: 14 July 2007
Location: Challenger Bay, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia
Depth: 10.9m
Bottom time: 70 mins
Viz: 10-15m
Water temp: 23°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

This particular dive reminded me of muck diving in Papua New Guinea.

Dive #120
When: 14 July 2007
Location: Two Towers, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia
Depth: 16.1m
Bottom time: 59 mins
Viz: 10-15m
Water temp: 23°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

This dive was extra special: while on our safety stop at 5m, a minke whale swam around us for quite some time. She presented her belly to me when she was passing by me (she was about 4m away from me). I found this to be extremely moving; we ascended from the dive absolutely exhilarated!

Dive #119
When: 14 July 2007
Location: Lighthouse Bommie, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia
Depth: 25.1m
Bottom time: 52 mins
Viz: 10-15m
Water temp: 22°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Dive #118
When: 14 July 2007
Location: Lighthouse Bommie, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia
Depth: 22.3m
Bottom time: 61 mins
Viz: 10-15m
Water temp: 24°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Dives #116-117. The Minke Whale dive diaries: day one.

Dive #117
When: 13 July 2007
Location: Steve's Bommie, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia
Depth: 19.5m
Bottom time: 48 mins
Viz: 10-15m
Water temp: 24°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Dive #116
When: 13 July 2007
Location: Blue Lagoon, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia
Depth: 22.1m
Bottom time: 57 mins
Viz: 10-15m
Water temp: 24°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

This dive was followed by an encounter (on snorkel) with a minke whale: this one! Isn't she beautiful?



This stunning photo earned Scuba Buachall first prize in the Mike Ball Spoilsport on-board photo competition.

Quite rightly so.

The Papua New Guinea dive diaries: never-before-seen photos!

Almost a year ago, Scuba Buachall and I went diving in Papua New Guinea. I posted gorgeous photos that SB had taken (see them here).

Only recently I came across the ones I took!

So here are seven of my best from that trip.

Some beautiful textures...





...some fishy-fish fish...







...and the rarely-sighted SB...



...taking a photo of the nautilus, which most certainly would have preferred to be at home in 200m rather than in 17m shallows.

The ocean at the end of our street (vii)

5.15pm today

Dive #115

When: 3 June 2007
Location: Edithburgh Jetty, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia
Depth: 3.3m
Bottom time: 49 mins
Viz: 6m
Water temp: A chilly 14°C!
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

This cute little dumpling squid was at the bottom of the jetty steps.



Sea cucumbers aren't all that attractive, but I like this shot.



I like the textured look of this starfish.

Dive #114

When: 2 June 2007
Location: Edithburgh Jetty, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia
Depth: 5.1m
Bottom time: 76 mins
Viz: 6m
Water temp: 15°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Dived along with SB's underwater photography course students.

And I took some photos. Of the photographer extraordinaire! That's him, above.

Check his wonderful photos here. I've a long way to go before I get anywhere near as good as him.



And this is a magpie perch.

Dive #113

When: 17 May 2007
Location: The Bluff, Victor Harbour, South Australia
Depth: 9.3m
Bottom time: 43 mins
Viz: 3-5m
Water temp: 17°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall, Rachael

A very special dive. Five leafy sea dragons and a seal. Joy.

A beautiful post about this dive here.

Dive #112

When: 8 April 2007
Location: Troubridge Point, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia
Depth: 13m
Bottom time: 46 mins
Viz: 8m
Water temp: 19°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

A beautiful dive in a beautiful spot. So much fish life. A lovely big cuttlefish sat in mid-water staring at SB. Then he began to move towards me...and when I put out my hand he got a fright. It was like he hadn't noticed me. Off he scooted.

There was a strong current so we worked hard. We did a mid-water ascent - coming up within a couple of metres of the back of the boat! SB's excellent nav skills once again!

Dive #111

When: 11 March 2007
Location: The Bluff, Victor Harbour, South Australia
Depth: 8.9m
Bottom time: 20 mins
Viz: 1-2m
Water temp: 19°C
Buddy: Michelle T

What one might call an interesting dive. I failed miserably in navigating, and we ended up half-way out to the island off the coast. I was following my compass so I don't know if it was in error, but I guess I shouldn't blame my tools!

We did a free ascent and snorkelled back to shore. After we'd taken our tanks and bcds off and brought them up to the car, a few seals arrived and were playing in the water. We went back in with mask, snorkel and fins.

A lovely end to a sub-average dive!

The ocean at the end of our street (vi)

1.15pm today

Dive #110

When: 19 November 2006
Location: Port Noarlunga, South Australia
Depth: 5.6m
Bottom time: 52 mins
Viz: 6m
Water temp: 17°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

The ocean at the end of our street (v)

1.58pm today

The ocean at the end of our street (iv)

1.20pm today

Dive #109. Back to SA. Decrease of 12°C but +8 leafy sea dragons.

When: 1 October 2006
Location: The Bluff, Victor Harbour, South Australia
Depth: 8.2m
Bottom time: 49 mins
Viz: 4m
Water temp: 14°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall, Michelle T

A far cry from the tropical 26°C of PNG. Back to wearing my 7mm semi-dry, hood, and feeling like the Michelin (wo)man. I was surprisingly warm for most of the dive, however.

Strange though it sounds, it seemed like the sea was saltier than usual. It may have been due to the sea swell/movement at the headland and other factors. All three of us definitely found it more difficult to descend initially. Or else I'm talking through my hood.

BUT....the leafy sea dragons were out in force. There wasn't much else to see, the viz was quite bad. We found at least eight of the beautiful creatures, some adults, some males with eggs, and some babies. All as extraordinarily beautiful as ever.

Oh, and a cute cowfish, just before we ascended.

Dives #107-108. The Papua New Guinea dive diaries: day 6.

Dive #108
When: 14 September 2006
Location: Banana Bommie, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Depth: 11.6m
Bottom time: 45 mins
Viz: 30m
Water temp: 26°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Our last dive of the trip. At the end of the dive on our way back to the boat we caught a fleeting glimpse of a dolphin and her calf. What a wonderful way to finish.

Dive #107
When: 14 September 2006
Location: Banana Bommie, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Depth: 25.8m
Bottom time: 49 mins
Viz: 30m
Water temp: 25°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Dives #102-106. The Papua New Guinea dive diaries: day 5.

Dive #106
When: 13 September 2006
Location: Bunama Village, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Depth: 10.8m
Bottom time: 57 mins
Viz: 30m
Water temp: 26°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Muck dusk/night dive.

Dive #105
When: 13 September 2006
Location: Bunama Village, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Depth: 18.7m
Bottom time: 65 mins
Viz: 30m
Water temp: 27°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Muck dive.

Dive #104
When: 13 September 2006
Location: Jason's Reef, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Depth: 20.1m
Bottom time: 53 mins
Viz: 30m
Water temp: 26°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Dive #103
When: 13 September 2006
Location: Peer's Reef, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Depth: 40.3m
Bottom time: 55 mins
Viz: 30m
Water temp: 27°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

My deepest dive ever!

Dive #102
When: 13 September 2006
Location: Peer's Reef, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Depth: 33.1m
Bottom time: 56 mins
Viz: 30m
Water temp: 27°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Dives #98-101. The Papua New Guinea dive diaries: day 4.

Dive #101
When: 12 September 2006
Location: Observation Point, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Depth: 10.1m
Bottom time: 64 mins
Viz: 15-20m
Water temp: 26°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Dusk/night dive.

Dive #100
When: 12 September 2006
Location: Observation Point, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Depth: 30.9m
Bottom time: 84 mins
Viz: 15-20m
Water temp: 26°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Muck dive. What a 100th dive!

Dive #99
When: 12 September 2006
Location: Double Towers, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Depth: 35.9m
Bottom time: 54 mins
Viz: 30m
Water temp: 26°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Dive #98
When: 12 September 2006
Location: Double Towers, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Depth: 23.6m
Bottom time: 62 mins
Viz: 30m
Water temp: 26°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Dives #95-97. The Papua New Guinea dive diaries: day 3.

Dive #97
When: 11 September 2006
Location: Ipetato Reef, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Depth: 22.3m
Bottom time: 66 mins
Viz: 40m
Water temp: 26°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Dive #96
When: 11 September 2006
Location: Ipetato Reef, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Depth: 24.2m
Bottom time: 52 mins
Viz: 40m
Water temp: 26°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Dive #95
When: 11 September 2006
Location: BlackJack plane wreck, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Depth: 33.4m
Bottom time: 44 mins
Viz: 30m
Water temp: 26°C
Buddy: Tara M

SB did a deco dive: the wreck of BlackJack, the WWII US bomber plane, was at approx 45m. So I buddied with Tara, and we dived with Dan and Chris.

Stunning wall dive.

Dives #90-94. The Papua New Guinea dive diaries: day 2.

Dive #94
When: 10 September 2006
Location: Lauadi / Dinah's Beach, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Depth: 6.8m
Bottom time: 60 mins
Viz: 30m
Water temp: 25°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Night dive.

Dive #93
When: 10 September 2006
Location: Lauadi / Dinah's Beach, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Depth: 8.4m
Bottom time: 51 mins
Viz: 30m
Water temp: 25°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Muck dive.

Dive #92
When: 10 September 2006
Location: Lauadi / Dinah's Beach, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Depth: 23.6m
Bottom time: 74 mins
Viz: 30m
Water temp: 26°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Muck dive.

Dive #91
When: 10 September 2006
Location: Lauadi / Dinah's Beach, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Depth: 31.2m
Bottom time: 65 mins
Viz: 30m
Water temp: 26°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Muck dive.

Dive #90
When: 10 September 2006
Location: Lauadi / Deacon's Reef, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Depth: 17.8m
Bottom time: 72 mins
Viz: 30m
Water temp: 26°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Nautilus.

Dives #86-89. The Papua New Guinea dive diaries: day 1.

Dive #89
When: 9 September 2006
Location: Kathy's Corner, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Depth: 8.2m
Bottom time: 83 mins
Viz: 30m
Water temp: 25°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Dive #88
When: 9 September 2006
Location: Kathy's Corner, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Depth: 24.9m
Bottom time: 73 mins
Viz: 30m
Water temp: 26°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Dive #87
When: 9 September 2006
Location: Black & Silver Reef, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Depth: 10.1m
Bottom time: 51 mins
Viz: 40m
Water temp: 26°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Dive #86
When: 9 September 2006
Location: Black & Silver Reef, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Depth: 24.4m
Bottom time: 56 mins
Viz: 40m
Water temp: 26°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Papua New Guinea. Wow.

Scuba Buachall and I joined Mike Ball's Paradise Sport for a luxury liveaboard diving holiday in Milne Bay province, in the south east of Papua New Guinea, in September.

Absolutely fabulous diving, averaging 30-40m viz, 26°C waters, a rich smorgasboard of tropical fish and corals, and stunning picturesque coral walls that went from 5m to, well, a long way down: to some 300m +.


In these conditions it was easy to do nice long and deep dives. At 41m I was comfortable and not even narked! Scuba Buachall and I notched up 23 dives (and more than 23 hours of diving) in the five days.

We even dived a wreck. Not a shipwreck, though, but a WWII bomber plane called BlackJack.

Great photographic opportunities abounded.

Anemone and trigger clown fish obliged with cuteness.

A couple of turtles turtled.

Colourful fish were everywhere. Lionfish, catfish, pipefish of all descriptions including harlequin ghost pipefish, barracuda, tuna, flathead parrotfish, octopus, nudibranchs galore, eagle rays....the list is endless. One or two sharks, too. But not that many pelagic fish, generally. Wrong time of year, apparently.

It was wonderful to have our dive gear ready and waiting whenever we wanted to dive. All we had to do was don our wetsuits and in we went.

And it was nice to use a 3mm wetsuit - so easy to get on and off - instead of the cumbersome 7mm semi-dry.

Aaaaah, tropical diving.

Now I understand.

Dive details follow, as well as a small selection of stunning images by Scuba Buachall.

The ocean at the end of our street (iii)

1.10pm today

The ocean at the end of our street (ii)

10.44am today

The ocean at the end of our street

2.18pm today

Dive #85. Cowfish extravaganza.

When: 27 August 2006
Location: Edithburgh Jetty, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia
Depth: 5.6m
Bottom time: 62 mins
Viz: 15+m
Water temp: 13°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Extraordinary viz. Crystal clear and the jetty underworld was looking mighty fine. We finned out to the mini weed-forests, then to the end of the jetty, then back in. A nice long dive.

We saw a plethora of critters: cuttlefish, sea horses, leather jackets, crabs, moonlighters, globefish...and a stunning (but empty) black cowrie shell.

And so many cowfish.

We counted at least eight ornate cowfish - one of my favourites - on this dive, ranging in size from 2cm to 6cm. One was even posing at the steps for a photo; they're usually extremely difficult to photograph because they manage to swim away from the camera.

But as usual, Scuba Buachall did the gorgeous critters justice:

Dive #84

When: 26 August 2006
Location: Edithburgh Jetty, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia
Depth: 5.9m
Bottom time: 36 mins
Viz: 10+m
Water temp: 13°C
Buddy: Talitha
Diving companions: Daisy, Tim C, Adam W

A short but lovely dive, great viz. Who thought 1°C could make such a difference: 13°C felt positively warm compared with previous dives of 12°C!

We went to the end of the jetty and back. We saw a very dead 'n' diced Port Jackson shark.

Dives #82, 83. Double dive. My first weedy sea dragon!

Dive #83
When: 13 August 2006
Location: Wreck of the Norma, North Haven, South Australia
Depth: 13.4m
Bottom time: 37 mins
Viz: 5m
Water temp: 12°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Conditions had calmed down a little for the second dive.

The Norma is an interesting wreck whose debris is spread over quite a large area.


Dive #82
When: 13 August 2006
Location: Grange Tyre Reef, South Australia
Depth: 19.2m
Bottom time: 33 mins
Viz: 10m
Water temp: 13°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Challenging conditions for entry and exit - anchor chains become lethal weapons in 1m+ seas!

BUT...I saw my first weedy sea dragon. Spotted by Terry who showed it to Ian who in turn pointed it out to us. Much bigger (ie longer) than I had expected, but absolutely beautiful.

What is it about this particular family which is so special?

Dive #81

When: 4 August 2006
Location: The Dredge, South Australia
Depth: 19.4m
Bottom time: 29 mins
Viz: 6m
Water temp: 12°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall
Diving companions: Mark L and Rachel C

Eventually managed to launch the boat from West Beach boat ramp. Pleasant conditions. Lovely cruisy dive.

Great to introduce Mark and Rachel to some South Australian diving after having done their Open Water course in Cairns, North Queensland.

The Glenelg Scuba Diving Passport Challenge

Scuba Buachall and I have decided to take up the passport diving challenge issued by Glenelg Scuba.



It involves diving 15 wrecks, 15 reefs and 15 shore dives all around South Australia. All dives are to be verified by a Glenelg Scuba staff member or instructor.

I have dived quite a few of the sites already, and of course SB has dived most of them. The catch is that to fulfil the Passport Challenge conditions, all dives have to be done post 1 January 2006.

The race is on: let the bubble-making begin in earnest.

Dive #80

When: 2 July 2006
Location: Edithburgh Jetty, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia
Depth: 6.3m
Bottom time: 66 mins
Viz: 8m
Water temp: 12°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Dive #79

When: 1 July 2006
Location: Edithburgh Jetty, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia
Depth: 6.8m
Bottom time: 57 mins
Viz: 8m
Water temp: 12°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Chilly dive! Took some good pix though.

Dive #78

When: 18 June 2006
Location: Edithburgh Jetty, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia
Depth: 6m
Bottom time: 66 mins
Viz: 6m
Water temp: 13°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Globefish.

Dive #77

When: 17 June 2006
Location: Edithburgh Jetty, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia
Depth: 6.8m
Bottom time: 63 mins
Viz: 3m
Water temp: 14°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall, Michelle T

Nice dive tho' late, so light dropped off quickly. Found a sea horse all on its own, no flora nearby. Cowfish, blue crab.

Dive #76

When: 3 June 2006
Location: Port Noarlunga, South Australia
Depth: 6.6m
Bottom time: 68 mins
Viz: 6m
Water temp: 14°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Took lots of photos.

Here's one:

Dive #75. Dive 2 Underwater digital photography course

When: 28 May 2006
Location: Edithburgh Jetty, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia
Depth: 6.1m
Bottom time: 54 mins
Viz: 10m
Water temp: 14°C
Buddy: Reg F
Instructor: Scuba Buachall

Iain accompanied us again. What a contrast to yesterday's dive. Sunny and calm. Focused on shooting, then changing white balance.

Dive #74. Dive 1 Underwater digital photography course

When: 27 May 2006
Location: Edithburgh Jetty, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia
Depth: 4.3m
Bottom time: 46 mins
Viz: 10m
Water temp: 16°C
Buddy: Reg F

Instructor: Scuba Buachall

Iain from New Zealand joined us for this dive - a serious photographer.

Surgey conditions, but beautiful sea horses.

Focused on (pardon the pun) taking macro shots using an Olympus C350 3.2 MP camera. Scuba Buachall has taken some extraordinary shots with this. Am getting familiar with it, now that SB has upgraded to the Olympus 5060 5.1 MP.

Dive #73

When: 15 May 2006
Location: Port Noarlunga, South Australia
Depth: 7.1m
Bottom time: 48 mins
Viz: 4-8m
Water temp: 16°C
Buddy: Michelle T

Lovely gentle dive. Big leather jackets, senator wrasse, silver drummer, groper, cute cuttlefish. Bit of current. Found dive knife directly under jetty.

And it's always nice to end a dive with a nice glass of red!

Dive #72

When: 25 March 2006
Location: The Dredge and the Barge, South Australia
Depth: 20.6m
Bottom time: 52 mins
Viz: 8m
Water temp: ??°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Hot day, calm sea, no current, beautiful...

Dive #71. Night dive

When: 11 March 2006
Location: Port Noarlunga Jetty, South Australia
Depth: 9m
Bottom time: 79mins
Viz: 7m
Water temp: ??°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Idyllic conditions. Snorkelled to the southern end of the reef, crossed the gap and descended on the outside. Headed north following the aquatic trail markers.

Viz ranged between great and crap (because of algae).

Crabs, silver drummer, moonlighter, dusky morwong, bullseyes, old wives, cuttlefish, blue devils, snapper, rays, flathead and a sea pen! Scuba Buachall said he'd never seen one before, it was stunning.

Dives #63-70. Northern NSW shark dive diaries.

When: 17 February 2006
Location: Outer Latititude/Spot A, Forster, Northern NSW, Australia
Depth: 19.3m
Bottom time: 50 mins
Viz: 10m
Water temp: 25°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Current. Robbo lead us on this dive and he was fantastic. He found all sorts of curiosities for us. Blue devils, nudibranchs, small cuttlefish, a grey nurse shark, brittle stars, lion fish, even a turtle. SB was hypnotising a moray eel with his finger.

Just at the end of the dive, before we ascended the anchor chain, quick as lightning Robbo went under a ledge and grabbed a Port Jackson shark for us to see....and touch. It felt hard. And it was a bit gobsmacked....stunned silence and no movement...then when he let it go it came around and disappeared. Apparently it's usually in that spot. No doubt it's in therapy now.

Dive #69
When: 17 February 2006
Location: The Pinnacle, Forster, Northern NSW, Australia
Depth: 32m
Bottom time: 30 mins
Viz: 15m
Water temp: 23°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Deepest dive ever!

Viz wasn't great until we got to 20m then it opened right up. Amazing big sea feeling. Really felt like we were in the land of the giants. Grey nurse sharks, huge (2m+) bull ray, massive wobbegongs, large black cod. A kingfish visited us on our safety stop.

Yet again: wow, wow, wow.

Dive #68
When: 16 February 2006
Location: South Solitary, NSW (off Coff's Harbour), Australia
Depth: 16m
Bottom time: 70 mins
Viz: 20m
Water temp: 25°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

My first drift drive. Loads of anemones and stunning blue-with-black-and-white anemone fish.

Dive #67
When: 16 February 2006
Location: Buchanan's Wall, South Solitary, NSW (off Coff's Harbour), Australia
Depth: 19.9m
Bottom time: 54 mins
Viz: 20mWater temp: 25°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Dive #66
When: 15 February 2006
Location: Fish Rock Cave, South West Rocks, NSW, Australia
Depth: 21.7m
Bottom time: 47 mins
Viz: 25m
Water temp: 25°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Dive #65
When: 14 February 2006
Location: Fish Rock Cave, South West Rocks, NSW, Australia
Depth: 26.4m
Bottom time: 44 mins
Viz: 25m
Water temp: 25°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Interesting to experience thermoclines, complete with shimmery effect.

Dive #64
When: 14 February 2006
Location: Fish Rock, South West Rocks, NSW, Australia
Depth: 24.1m
Bottom time: 44 mins
Viz: 25m
Water temp: 25°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

No words can do justice to the sight of two beautiful eagle rays dancing together, one of which had a cleaner fish underneath it. Again, grey nurse sharks cruising...

Dive #63
When: 14 February 2006
Location: Fish Rock Cave, South West Rocks, NSW, Australia
Depth: 26.6m
Bottom time: 47 mins
Viz: 25m (yes, really!)
Water temp: 25°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Boat out to Fish Rock cave with Matt and Pete from the Fish Rock Dive Centre. Fairly big seas. Batfish, bulls eyes, lion fish, wobbegongs....then down at the 'gutter' at the entrance to the cave, the grey nurse shark party began.

Looking up into the blue it almost felt like we were part of a cliche dive movie.

More than 40 grey nurse sharks circled above, calmly cruising. Humbling and just extraordinary. Majestic, unafraid, mean-looking, but harmless creatures.

While ascending we saw a little turtle.

Wow, wow, wow.

Dive #62. Tasselled angler fish says 'boo'!

When: 15 January 2006
Location: Rapid Bay Jetty, South Australia
Depth: 9.7m
Bottom time: 74 mins
Viz: 12-15m
Water temp: ?? °C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Immediately after descending we met two leafy sea dragons at one of the pylons. Absolutely beautiful and graceful, as usual.

Hilarious moment when Scuba Buachall pointed to what looked like a bit of sea moss. I looked and looked but couldn't 'see' what he was pointing to. Then he touched it...and it moved! A gorgeous tasselled angler fish that had the gift of camouflage, that's for sure! I nearly lost my reg with the shock.

Long snook, yellow tails, old wives, pygmy leather jackets.

A beautiful, beautiful dive.

Dive #61. HMAS Hobart again, with backup computer!

When: 7 January 2006
Location: HMAS Hobart, Wirrina Cove, South Australia
Depth: 21.7m
Bottom time: 33 mins
Viz: 6m
Water temp: ?? °C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Surface interval of approx 1 hour, then did a second dive on the Hobart. Used backup computer: an Aladin Pro (oldie but goodie).

What was noticeable was the LACK of schools of fish, plenty of individuals though, moonlighters, leather jackets etc. Impressive guns!

Dive #60. HMAS Hobart. Computer dies at 22m. Really helpful.

When: 7 January 2006
Location: HMAS Hobart, Wirrina Cove, South Australia
Depth: ?m
Bottom time: ?? mins
Viz: 6m
Water temp: ?? °C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

I was looking foward to diving the HMAS Hobart, which was sunk as a dive wreck on 5 November 2002.

My computer decided to give up the ghost at 22m. Blank face. Nada. Nothing. Yeah, just the tool you want at depth.

Fantastic dive though, a very impressive wreck, amazing sponges and growth on walls and decks, everywhere.

Dive #59. After a four-month hiatus...

When: 28 December 2005
Location: The Barge, Glenelg, South Australia
Depth: 7m
Bottom time: 20 mins
Viz: 7m
Water temp: 18°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

First dive in four months. Idyllic conditions. Sunset dive.

Dive #58

When: 31 July 2005
Location: Seacliff Reef, South Australia
Depth: 14.3m
Bottom time: 48 mins
Viz: 10m
Water temp: 13°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Old wives, grumpy-lookin' blue devil, cuttlefish, schools of silver drummer.

Dive #57

When: 23 July 2005
Location: Edithburgh Jetty, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia
Depth: 9.4m
Bottom time: 37 mins
Viz: 10m
Water temp: 12°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall, Steve P

Dusk dive that turned into a night dive. North-south current. Sea horses - maybe 20 or 30 - under jetty. Port Jackson shark, starfish, pygmy leather jackets, baby cuttlefish, huge octopus under a ledge.

Something weird happened: there was a strong current surge, the viz dropped dramatically, I got a bit dizzy. Apparently the others felt strange also. Got snagged on a squid jag (was less than impressed) and had a bit of cramp in my calf.

Exciting dive though!

Dive #56

When: 10 July 2005
Location: The Dredge, Glenelg, South Australia
Depth: 20.1m
Bottom time: 30 mins
Viz: 8-10m
Water temp: 13°C
Buddy: James Y

Dive #55

When: 19 June 2005
Location: Edithburgh Jetty, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia
Depth: 5m
Bottom time: 22 mins
Viz: 1m
Water temp: 13°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Crap viz!

Dive #54

When: 18 June 2005
Location: Port Victoria, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia
Depth: 4.9m
Bottom time: 30 mins
Viz: 6m
Water temp: 13°C
Buddy: Rachael Y

Windy, unpleasant on surface but calmer underwater. Junior orange leather jacket, cuttlefish, magpie perch.

Dive #53

When: 5 June 2005
Location: The Lumb & Sea Wolf, South Australia
Depth: 20.5m
Bottom time: 45 mins
Viz: 10m
Water temp: 16°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Boarfish, teeming with fish life. Finned from Lumb to Sea Wolf, which really looks the part of a wreck. It's on its side so you get this 'wall' effect, and it's covered in growth.

Dive #52

When: 22 May 2005
Location: The Clarries, Glenelg, South Australia
Depth: 25.6m
Bottom time: 30 mins
Viz: 10-12m
Water temp: 17°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Dusk dive, beautiful conditions. Lots of crabs on body of the wreck, which is small compared to the Dredge. School of 6-8 giant boarfish swam by.

Dive #51

When: 16 May 2005
Location: Black Point, Whyalla, South Australia
Depth: 6.1m
Bottom time: 50 mins
Viz: 7m
Water temp: 17°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Some serious cuttlefish-to-cuttlefish action.

Saw the shadow of a huge ray in the distance.

Dive #50. Wow, I've met my first major dive goal! Woohoo...

When: 15 May 2005
Location: Stony Point, Whyalla, South Australia
Depth: 5.3m
Bottom time: 45 mins
Viz: 6m
Water temp: 18°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Shore dive. Difficult entry and exit because of waves and surge.

Cuttlefish galore! Scuba Buachall removed his glove and touched one; it changed to a creamy white colour to match SB's skin tone. Amazing.

We saw another cuttlefish with a big chunk out of his back. No doubt as a result of a love and honour duel.

We also saw a very large globefish.

Well this is it, my first diving milestone reached: 50 dives in less than six months.

Happy and proud Scuba Cailin (and Scuba Buachall)!

Now let the countdown to the dive century begin...

Dive #49. 40,000 kingfish later...

When: 15 May 2005
Location: Kingfish Pens, Whyalla, South Australia
Depth: 6.2m
Bottom time: 24 mins
Viz: 8m
Water temp: 18°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

What a weird dive: in a small pen with 40,000+ kingfish.

We were told that if we could catch one we could keep it. Scuba Buachall caught one, but of course released it after we took advantage of the photo op.

I was sad to think that all those handsome fish would end up covered in sauce or batter.

I'm glad I don't eat fish.

Dive #48. The dating wiles of cuttlefish.

When: 14 May 2005
Location: Black Point, Whyalla, South Australia
Depth: 5.5m
Bottom time: 56 mins
Viz: 6m
Water temp: 17°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Shore dive, access via steps to beach. Strong current. So many cuttlefish, so little time! Amazing to watch them change colour, and to see males pretending to be females so that they can cosy up to a female and then....wham, bam, thank you ma'm.

Dive #47. Go the horny cuttlefish!

When: 14 May 2005
Location: Iron Ore Jetty, Whyalla, South Australia
Depth: 6.9m
Bottom time: 44 mins
Viz: 8m
Water temp: 16°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

What an experience: witnessing randy cuttlefish doin' their thing.

Dive #46

When: 14 May 2005
Location: Merek's Reef, Whyalla, South Australia
Depth: 11.8m
Bottom time: 32 mins
Viz: 4m
Water temp: 17°C
Buddy: Brian T

Boilers, channels.

Dive #45. Night dive

When: 9 May 2005
Location: Port Noarlunga, South Australia
Depth: 8.8m
Bottom time: 45 mins
Viz: 6-8m
Water temp: 14°C
Buddy: David M

Dive #44

When: 8 May 2005
Location: Second Valley, South Australia
Depth: 5.1m
Bottom time: 54 mins
Viz: 8-10m
Water temp: 17°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Moonlighters, pipefish, crab half-way up a pylon.

I found two leafy sea dragons and spent most of the dive just gawking at them. Beautiful.

Dive #43

When: 7 May 2005
Location: The Dredge, Glenelg, South Australia
Depth: 20.1m
Bottom time: 38mins
Viz: 8-10m
Water temp: 18°C
Buddy: Lisa M

Strong current on entry. Brown spotted boarfish, bulls eyes, old wives, moonlighters.

Dive #42. The meaning of life?

When: 1 May 2005
Location: Seacliff Reef, South Australia
Depth: 14.7m
Bottom time: 69 mins
Viz: 3m
Water temp: 16°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Night dive. An attempt at searching and recovery of a weightbelt lost by another diver earlier in the day. No joy.

Dive #41

When: 25 April 2005
Location: Edithburgh Jetty, South Australia
Depth: 8.3m
Bottom time: 68 mins
Viz: 8m
Water temp: 19°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Dive #40

When: 25 April 2005
Location: Troubridge Point, Edithburgh, South Australia
Depth: 15m
Bottom time: 62 mins
Viz: 6m
Water temp: 18°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Big seas. Wonderful reef formations.

Dive #39. Advanced open water boat dive

When: 24 April 2005
Location: Troubridge Point, Edithburgh, South Australia
Depth: 15m
Bottom time: 69 mins
Viz: 6m
Water temp: 18°C
Instructor: Scuba Buachall

Leather jackets, tallmers, old wives, silver drummer, two cuttlefish busy changing their colours.

I have now completed five adventure dives, so I'm an advanced open water diver. Yay!

Dive #38. Advanced open water wreck dive

When: 24 April 2005
Location: Clanranald Wreck, Edithburgh, South Australia
Depth: 20.4m
Bottom time: 46 mins
Viz: 6m
Water temp: 18°C
Instructor: Scuba Buachall

Clanranald is approx 10 nautical miles from Edithburgh. Usual suspects, big dusky morwongs, big boarfish, hula fish, schools of pike.

Dive #37. Advanced open water night and navigation dive

When: 23 April 2005
Location: Edithburgh Jetty, South Australia
Depth: 7.6m
Bottom time: 46 mins
Viz: 10m
Water temp: 18°C
Instructor: Scuba Buachall

Beautiful full moon, good help for my navigation exercise! I navigated the whole dive, to end of jetty and back around opposite side. Sea horses, blue ring octopus, pygmy and full size leather jackets, porcupine fish, nudibranchs, gunard perch, squid, globefish, goatfish.

Dive #36

When: 13 April 2005
Location: The Dredge, Glenelg, South Australia
Depth: 17.4m
Bottom time: 42 mins
Viz: 4m
Water temp: 19°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Strong current, tough work getting to anchor chain. Just before ascending saw two brown-spotted boarfish. Beautiful.

Dive #35

When: 25 March 2005
Location: Broken Bottom, Glenelg, South Australia
Depth: 12.9m
Bottom time: 46 mins
Viz: 6m
Water temp: 20°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Dive #34

When: 25 March 2005
Location: Broken Bottom, Glenelg, South Australia
Depth: 12.2m
Bottom time: 42 mins
Viz: 8m
Water temp: 20°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Dive #33. Advanced open water navigation dive

When: 9 April 2005
Location: The Blocks, Glenelg, South Australia
Depth: 5.9m
Bottom time: 35 mins
Viz: 4m
Water temp: 20°C
Instructor: Scuba Buachall

Lumpy seas. 1m/kick cycle. Used natural features (the blocks) and compass to navigate a few tasks.

Dives #27-32. The Kangaroo Island Easter dive diaries.

Dive #32
When: 27 March 2005
Location: Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Depth: 9.8m
Bottom time: 63mins
Viz: 6m
Water temp: 18°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Dive #31
When: 27 March 2005
Location: Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Depth: 14.9m
Bottom time: 44 mins
Viz: 5-6m
Water temp: 18°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Strongish currents around the point. Came onto beautiful gardens of sponges. Harlequin fish, zebra fish, silver drummer, old wives, red-lipped morwong, herring kale (male, dark with light blue spot), bastard trumpeter.

Dive #30
When: 26 March 2005
Location: Point Marsden, Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Depth: 8.1m
Bottom time: 59 mins
Viz: 8m
Water temp: 18°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Serious current. Fish following us everywhere. Scuba Buachall photographing coral, I looked around, and we were surrounded by leather jacket, sweep. Harlequin fish. Zebra fish, gropers, and again, back at the anchor chain there was a fish party happenin'....another harlequin fish there too.

Dive #29
When: 26 March 2005
Location: White Point, Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Depth: 8.4m
Bottom time: 88 mins
Viz: 12m
Water temp: 18°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Current. Fish on hormones. Silve drummer, sweep, moonlighters, zebra fish, cuttlefish...and a fish feeding frenzy when we returned to anchor line.

Dive #28
When: 25 March 2005
Location: Kangaroo Head, Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Depth: 11.9m
Bottom time: 46 mins
Viz: 6m
Water temp: 18°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Tons of the usual suspects, old wives, big blue gropers, mating crabs.

Dive #27
When: 25 March 2005
Location: Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Depth: 12.3m
Bottom time: 55 mins
Viz: 5m
Water temp: 18°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Brittle star, basket star, harlequin fish, usual suspects. All the fish seemed to be on steroids, they all appeared to be about 30-50% larger than those we've seen offshore from the mainland.

Dive #26

When: 19 March 2005
Location: Broken Bottom, Glenelg, South Australia
Depth: 11.3m
Bottom time: 31 mins
Viz: 6m
Water temp: 20°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

The usual suspects, blue devil, cowfish, dusky morwong, big crabs. And rude fishermen on the surface.

Dive #25

When: 13 March 2005
Location: Broken Bottom, Glenelg, South Australia
Depth: 10.2m
Bottom time: 35 mins
Viz: 3-5m
Water temp: 21°C
Buddy: Lorna, Peter G

Dusky morwongs, pygmy leather jackets, magpie perch, moonlighters.

Dive #24

When: 13 February 2005
Location: Second Valley, South Australia
Depth: 9.9m
Bottom time: 99 mins
Viz: 9m
Water temp: 20°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Hiked over past the jetty to the bay. Lovely caves and swim-throughs.

Dive #23. My mission: to see a leafy sea dragon. Mission status: accomplished!

When: 13 February 2005
Location: Rapid Bay Jetty, South Australia
Depth: 10.1m
Bottom time: 63 mins
Viz: 12m
Water temp: 20°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Wow, wow, wow! Fish galore, the usual suspects, herring kale, huge 11-armed starfish.

But tears came to my eyes as we found a divine leafy sea dragon pecking delicately at one of the jetty pylons. It wasn't a bit concerned as we cruised up close.

Delicate, perfect, just amazing.

Dive #22

When: 6 February 2005
Location: Seacliff Reef, South Australia
Depth: 12.9m
Bottom time: 63 mins
Viz: 9m
Water temp: 20°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Had been suffering withdrawal for not having dived for two weeks! Dived with Karen S and Andy R. Bulls eyes, leather jackets, moonlighters, blue devils, four cuttlefish.

Dive #21. My 'coming of age' dive!

When: 26 January 2005
Location: Whalebone Caves, Encounter Bay, South Australia
Depth: 6.4m
Bottom time: 67 mins
Viz: 8m
Water temp: 21°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Amazing network of kelp-covered tunnels. Saw my first cuttlefish, a real cutie. Huge blue devil, dusky morwong, leather jackets, beautiful starfish.

Dive #20. Advanced open water deep dive

When: 26 January 2005
Location: West Island, Victor Harbour/Encounter Bay, South Australia
Depth: 28.7m
Bottom time: 34 mins
Viz: 1m
Water temp: 20°C
Instructor: Scuba Buachall

The viz was crap, so we played stone, paper, scissors at the anchor line! While hanging at the safety stop we saw the tiniest, cutest jellyfish, like a button mushroom, with a pygmy leather jacket swimming around it.

Dive #19

When: 22 January 2005
Location: Aldinga, South Australia
Depth: 13.6m
Bottom time: 54 mins
Viz: 10m
Water temp: 21°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Dive #18

When: 22 January 2005
Location: Aldinga, South Australia
Depth: 16.5m
Bottom time: 51 mins
Viz: 10m
Water temp: 21°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Idyllic conditions. Giant boarfish.

Dive #17. My first night dive

When: 18 January 2005
Location: The Dredge, Glenelg, South Australia
Depth: 20.1m
Bottom time: 51 mins
Viz: 12m
Water temp: 21°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall. Joined by Steve S and Nicole S.

Fab phosphorescence. Bulls eyes, big silver drummer, toadfish, huge crabs. Amazing to look up from the safety stop at the wobbly moon and stars.

Dive #16. Oh the seals, the seals at Allthorpes!

When: 6 January 2005
Location: Allthorpes, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia
Depth: 21.4m
Bottom time: 55 mins
Viz: 12m
Water temp: 19°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall, Steve S

Oooh aahh! Allthorpes approx 10 nautical miles offshore. Anchored on north-west of island. Free descent through the blue. Tall cliffs of kelp, abundant fish life and THEN....at least 6 seals joined us for the entire dive. Playful, innocently curious, cute, unafraid. An absolute privilege. I'd say our yelps of happiness could be heard for miles when we surfaced.