Tag: SCUBA diving

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Exploring the Underwater World

It’s been far to long between dives, so it was time to get back underwater. One of my favouirte spots is the Haven at Terrigal on the Central Coast of NSW. This sheltered bay offers a fantastic SCUBA diving experience, with an abundance of marine life that captivates both beginner and experienced divers alike.

Image Copyright: Love the Central Coast

After some heavy rain and wind during the week, it wasn’t surprising that the visability wasn’t very good. There was also a lot of surge that made the dive challenging. But sometimes you just need to get underwater.

Descending beneath the surface, we were greeted by a thriving underwater world where rocky reefs and sandy seabeds provide a home to a variety of fascinating creatures. One of the highlights is the inquisitive Eastern Blue Groper Achoerodus viridis. These charismatic fish, easily recognised by their striking blue colouration, and will follow you around. The males are a vibrant blue, while the females and juveniles are a reddish-brown colour. Blue Gropers play a vital role in maintaining the health of the rocky reef, feeding on sea urchins and other invertebrates.

Eastern Blue Groper Achoerodus viridis copyright: John Turnbull

Rays and Sharks of The Haven

It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on the sand at the Haven because there are alway so many rays. There were dozens of Common Stingrees hiding in the sand and we even spotted the uniquely patterned Fiddler Ray Trygonorrhina fasciata. Both these rays bury themselves in the sand, relying on their excellent camouflage to stay hidden from predators and nosey divers.

Common stingaree – Urolophus testaceus
Fiddler ray – Trygonorrhina fasciata
Image copyright: John Turnbull

Diving along the rocky ledges and overhangs, we saw 2 huge Banded Wobbegongs Orectolobus halei hiding between the rocks. These well-camouflaged sharks blend perfectly with their surroundings, waiting patiently to ambush unsuspecting prey. Despite their fearsome appearance, they are generally docile and an incredible sight to witness in their natural habitat.

Image copyright: John Turnbull

These rays and sharks are generally peaceful creatures, but like all marine animals, they should be observed with respect and from a safe distance.

Schools of Fish in Motion

One of the most mesmerising sights underwater is the movement of fish in large schools. Even with the visability so poor, we saw the spectacle of Yellowtail Scad Trachurus novaezelandiae swimming in synchronised formations, creating dazzling displays of silver and gold. These fish move in unison, shifting and turning as one, a truly awe-inspiring sight.

Yellowtail Scad Trachurus novaezelandiae copyright: John Turnbull

Protecting Our Marine Environment

The Haven is not just a fantastic dive site but also an important marine habitat that needs our protection. Divers can help preserve this incredible ecosystem from the 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
  • maintaining buoyancy to avoid disturbing the seabed
  • removing underwater rubbish, hooks and fishing line
  • supporting conservation efforts.

By appreciating and respecting the delicate balance of this underwater world, we can ensure that future generations will have the opportunity to experience the wonders of SCUBA diving at The Haven. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or just starting your underwater journey, The Haven on the Central Coast is a must-visit destination for an unforgettable marine adventure.

Have you dived at The Haven? Share your experiences in the comments below!

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Moray Magic

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.

Green Moray, Gymnothorax prasinus ©John Turnbull

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.

Port Jackson shark
Image ©John Turnbull

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.

Common stingray

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!

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Celebrating World Turtle Day

World Turtle Day is an annual event celebrated worldwide on May 23rd to raise awareness about the conservation of turtles and their habitats.

Marine turtle
© David Troeger on Unsplash

Turtles are one of the oldest living reptiles on earth, and they have been around for over 200 million years. They are an important part of the Australian ecosystem, playing a vital role in maintaining the balance of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Turtles are also considered to be keystone species, which means they have a disproportionate effect on the environment relative to their abundance.

There are six species of marine turtles found in Australian waters, including the Green Turtle, Loggerhead Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle, Olive Ridley Turtle, Flatback Turtle and Leatherback Turtle. They are all listed as Endangered or Vulnerable to extinction.

Image credit: Sea Turtle Foundation

World Turtle Day provides a platform for raising awareness about the conservation needs of these fascinating creatures and encourages action to protect their habitats. It serves as a reminder that we all have a role to play in preserving and safeguarding our natural environment for future generations.

How You Can Make a Difference: On World Turtle Day, and beyond, there are several ways in which you can contribute to turtle conservation:

  1. Reduce plastic consumption: Minimize single-use plastics and participate in local beach clean-ups to prevent marine debris from polluting turtle habitats.
  2. Support conservation organizations: Donate to reputable organizations focused on turtle conservation efforts in Australia and around the world.
  3. Promote responsible tourism: Choose eco-friendly travel operators that prioritize sustainable practices and adhere to guidelines for responsible wildlife encounters.
  4. Educate and raise awareness: Share information about World Turtle Day on social media, organize local events, and engage in conversations that highlight the importance of turtle conservation.
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SeaWeek 2023

SeaWeek is Australia’s major national public awareness campaign to focus community awareness and appreciation of the sea. This week-long event is held every year in March and provides a great opportunity to learn about marine environment. So, take a dive under the water this SeaWeek and explore our amazing marine environments with me.

Seaweek graphic

It was great to be able to spend time diving over the last few week exploring the marine environment around Sydney.

Marine Life title slide

Explore the amazing diversity of Marine Life. Take a journey beneath the waves to explore this wonderful world. Learn about some of these incredible animals, their adaptions and habitats with the resources below.

Where the river meets the sea title slide

Follow the journey of water down the river through the catchment to the sea. Water is essential for all forms of life and the small amount of available freshwater create competing pressures for our water resources. 

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Adventures on the Great Barrier Reef

I was very excited to get back to the Great Barrier Reef last week. I stayed out on Ocean Quest for 5 days diving Norman and Saxon Reefs. Over the 5 days I went on 12 amazing dives and 4 snorkels exploring both reefs.

Green Turtle
Coral
Norman and Saxon Reefs
Saxon Reef Queensland

The Great Barrier Reef is a World Heritage site that stretches more than 2,000km. The reef can be seen from space and is under threat. No other World Heritage site contains so much biodiversity — more than 1,500 species of fish, 400 species of coral, 4,000 species of molluscs, and 240 species of birds. Don’t forget all the sponges, anemones, marine worms, crustaceans and other species.

The variety of fish life is staggering, everywhere you look, you see something new hiding amongst the coral or out on the sand. The photos don’t do it justice.

Morish Idol
Fish on the Great Barrier Reef
Butterfly Fish on the Great Barrier Reef
Spotted Stingtray on the Great Barrier Reef
Sweetlips on the Great Barrier Reef

Sometimes you only get a glimpse, but that is enough to see my first Hammerhead Shark.

The team from Deep Sea Divers Den were fabulous, all the staff from the kitchen to the dive crew made my stay an incredible adventure. I’m already planning my trip next year.

A big thanks also goes out to Saara & Lachie and Claudio and Natalie for letting me join their dives and for sharing their photos and video footage with me.

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Underwater at Shelly Beach

It was great to get back in the water after a long winter break. Hearing that there were Port Jackson Sharks (PJs) at Shelly Beach got me in the water today. I lost count after about 25, there were PJs everywhere. They varied in colour and most were under a metre long.

Cuttlefish
Common stingray

Port Jackson Shark

Port Jackson Shark, Heterodontus portusjacksoni are very common tis time of year, between May – October. 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.

Giant Cuttlefish

The Giant Cuttlefish Sepia apama are one of my favourite animals to find on a dive. On our way back to shore I spotted one under under a rocky ledge and was excited to see a second Cuttle hiding too. They are inquisitive and playful and came out in the open to check us out.

Blue Groper

The Eastern Blue Groper Achoerodus viridis is a familiar sight for Sydney Divers. The friendly Blue Groper often follows you around while you are on a dive. I have been surprised more than once to turn around and be face to face with one of these guys. You can find out more about the Blue Groper on the Australian Museum website

Smooth Stingray

We saw several Smooth Stingrays Bathytoshia brevicaudatais hiding in the sand when we were on the way back to shore. One was on top of the sand and the other had 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. Check out the video below (not my video).

What can you do to help preserve this amazing environment?

  • Remove any rubbish that you find in the water or on the beach
  • Remove any bits of fishing line and nets that you see
  • Be aware that what you do on land impacts our marine systems downstream
Plastics in the Ocean Infographic
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My Sister the Octopus Whisperer

We just finished a lovely SCUBA dive in Chowder Bay in Sydney Harbour and my sister will now forever be known as the Octopus Whisperer. She has always had a great eye for detail when we dive together. However on this dive, even in the murky water she was incredible.

  • Common Sydney Octopus
  • Common Sydney Octopus Whisperer
  • Octopus Whisperer
Images: John Turnbull

She lead the way on this adventure while I was testing out my new underwater camera. While I was focused on the camera, she was spotting octopus, moray eels, seahorses and more. She found 4 Common Sydney Octopus, Octopus tetricus hiding under rocks in the sand and even one using shells to camouflage.

The Common Sydney Octopus can grow up to 80cms in size, they are big, but very good at hiding. She was definitely the Octopus Whisperer on this dive and I can’t wait to see what she finds on the next dive!

Michelle has been my dive buddy for the last 25 years and we have had some amazing adventures together, I literally trust her with my life! Check out the video of our adventure. The new camera is great and hopefully my camera skills will improve too.

Discover more about the marine world

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Marine world adventure

This week has been an incredible marine world adventure, above and below the water. I started the week with a Marvellous Marine Life virtual excursion in the morning, followed by a night snorkel at Shelly Beach Manly. On Tuesday I presented a special live streamed event, Under the Sea for Children’s Week. Wednesday morning I had an amazing scuba dive at Clifton Gardens. My marine world adventure concluded with another Marvellous Marine Life virtual excursion.

Image©John Turnbull
Clockwise: male White’s seahorse, stars and stripes puffer, mourning cuttlefish and common stingaree

I love sharing my underwater advenures and have been delivering virtual excursions for students for many years. This years has had it’s challenges as I wasn’t able to get to the water due to months of lockdown. One thing that kept me going was being able to share my marine adventures and stories with students across Australia.

We had word that over the weekend there was a lot of bioluminescence in the water at Manly. My sister and I thought it was time for a night snorkel to experience the bioluminescence. It is an amazing experience being in the water, you see flashes of light when you move your hand quickly through the water.

Bioluminescence is light produced as a result of a chemical reaction in animals. Some animals make the necessary chemicals themselves, some absorb them from their food and others allow bioluminescent organisms to live inside them forming a symbiotic relationship. 

Bioluminescence in the water © Abyss SCUBA Diving

It was great to get back in the water this week and after the bioluminescence, I wasn’t sure what could top it. Well, a nice shore dive at Clifton Gardens definitely was the answer. We were greeted by a massive stingray, that was doing laps checking up on us. The visibility wasn’t great but we discovered so many seahorses camouflaging against the pylons of the wharf and the nets around the pool. There were lots cuttlefish, one of my favourite animals. We also saw a couple of huge pufferfish swimming around too. It was a great way to get back in the water after so long.

You can check out the recording of the Under the Sea program for Children’s Week.

You can find out more about the Marvellous Marine Life incursions and virtual excursions.

Marvellous Marine Life programs

Marine World reources

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