Todays dive was great and long overdue. I hadn’t been in the water since I moved to the Central Coast at the end of 2023. My sister and I went to the Haven on the Central Coast. It was a beautiful spring day, a liitle surgy in the water and not great visability, but wow, it was amazing.
The Haven is a sheltered bay nestled beside the Skillion at Terrigal. It is a diverse marine ecosystem consisting of boulders, crevices, kelp, patches of seagrass and sandy zones. creating the perfect habitat for a variety of species.
On this dive we had the privilege of witnessing an incredible underwater battle between a moray eel and an octopus! As we moved along the reef, my sister spotted an octopus tucked into a rocky hole, its skin shifting in colour and texture to blend seamlessly with its surroundings. We stopped to have a closer look, fascinated by its ability to camouflage. But something else had its eye on the octopus— a large moray eel.
Moray eels are ambush predators, using their strong jaws and sharp teeth to grab unsuspecting prey. This particular eel, a green moray, slowly slithered out from its hiding spot, its mouth opening and closing as it tasted the water for scent. The octopus, sensing danger, pulsed a deep reddish-brown and extended its arms cautiously.
In a sudden burst of speed, the moray lunged! The octopus shot out a cloud of ink, attempting to escape, but the eel was relentless. It twisted its long, muscular body through the rocky crevices, trying to corner the octopus. In a brilliant display of intelligence, the octopus squeezed into an impossibly tight crack, leaving the moray snapping at empty water.
This battle between two skilled hunters played out for several minutes— the eel darting, the octopus dodging, each using their unique adaptations to survive. Eventually, the octopus managed to slip away into the reef, leaving the moray with a only tentacle for a feast.
This rare moment was an amazing example of predator-prey interactions in the marine world. Both the octopus and the moray eel are crucial to the ecosystem, playing roles in keeping the reef’s food web balanced. Witnessing this firsthand, highlights just how dynamic and unpredictable nature can be.
Moray Eel
Despite their fearsome appearance, morays are not considered dangerous to people. In Australia the Green Moray, Gymnothorax prasinus occurs in temperate coastal waters.
Port Jackson Shark
Port Jackson Shark, Heterodontus portusjacksoni are very common this time of year. The teeth of the Port Jackson Shark are not serrated and are used to hold and break, then crush and grind the shells of molluscs and sea urchins.
Smooth Stingray
We saw a huge Smooth Stingrays Bathytoshia brevicaudatais hiding in the sand when we were on the way back to shore. We could see the tail sticking out and the rest of the body was covered itself in sand. You could just see the outline of the stingray and the eyes sticking out above the sand. The Smooth stingray are the largest stingray in the world, but sometimes still hard to spot.
The Haven continues to be one of my favourite dive sites for experiencing marine biodiversity up close. Whether it’s being inspected by the local Blue Gropers, or the high-speed drama of a hunting eel, every dive offers something new to discover.
What can you do to help preserve this amazing
Experiences like this also remind us of the importance of protecting our oceans. Marine ecosystems face growing threats from pollution, overfishing, and climate change. As divers and ocean lovers, we can help by practicing responsible diving including
- avoiding disturbing marine life
- reducing our plastic use
- removing underwater rubbish, hooks and fishing line
- supporting conservation efforts.
Places like The Haven thrive because of community efforts to keep our waters clean and healthy. By respecting the ocean and spreading awareness, we can ensure future generations get to experience these breathtaking underwater moments.
Have you had any unforgettable encounters while diving? Share your stories in the comments below!
