All adventures for Water Babies. Snorkelling, SCUBA Diving, Training and Tours. All conducted in a stress-free & safety-conscious environment
All adventures for Water Babies. Snorkelling, SCUBA Diving, Training and Tours. All conducted in a stress-free & safety-conscious environment
Another week of awesome diving and experiences with fantastic people. You can catch up with all the antics on the link below for the trip report
Trip Report – Santo, Vanuatu – October 2019 (pending)
October 2020 is our next planned Santo trip (78th anniversary of sinking) if you would like to join me on the next amazing week away – check out all the next trips here – Upcoming Excursions
What a great week in paradise! You can catch up with all the antics on the link below for the trip report
Trip Report – Truk Lagoon, Micronesia – August 2019
May 2020 is our next planned Truk trip if you would like to join me on the next amazing week away – check out the next trips here – Upcoming Excursions
After filming some great much critters at the Southport Seaway recently, I’ve started to create short ‘bites’ (Creature Feature) of video for Instagram and youtube – let me know what you think of them.
Here is the first – the Octopus.
For more – check out my YouTube Channel or Instagram
A surprise today as we arrived at the seaway – lovely clear water greeted us, and a very quiet dive site – just the surfers braving the waters!
At 22 degrees, I had my shivers on – but then – I am a sook – but the dives were well worth it with QLD Grouper, Lionfish, schools of Mullet – And even Cormorants(bird) trying to dive down and catch the mullet next to me! – Cheeky Fan-Bellied Leatherjackets, Nudibranchs, Moray Eels, and of course 5 separate cuttlefish – two of which didn’t mind putting on a romantic display while we watched! Such great critter spotting we are headed back tomorrow – this time with film to see if I can catch some more creature-feature on video!
Thankyou to my buddies Iain & Lorenzo for another great opportunity to dive!
I’ve had the pleasure to teach some great divers recently – Open Water, Advanced Open Water & Specialties, and can say I am really quite proud of the divers they has grown to become. I have also experienced some amazing dives as well, watching them experience the marine world more and more along the way.
However, something keeps cropping up with the divers coming to me for further training – overweighting.
The initial evaluation dive – prior to actual training dives – is a chance for the divers to get to know each other underwater (and me!) – so not just swimming around looking at creatures and features and skills – we also do a buoyancy, trim and streamlining session underwater.
Recently, on a first dive at the beautiful Flinders Reef, Moreton Bay – I removed 21 lbs(9.5kg) of lead from a buddy pair. Trim and streamlining instantly changed, effort requirement dropped, and all of a sudden they looked far more comfortable in the water. With empty cylinders at the safety stop they needed to add some weight back to compensate, but the image of 7 x 3lb belt weights on the mooring block was an eye opener! This was a major change in the way they dived. Air consumption dropped, weary muscles did not cramp, big smiles making masks leak! And streamlining! Oh the streamlining!
So many divers are diving heavy. Much of this stems from our neoprene wetsuits having too much control in the shallows, and losing much of their positive buoyancy as we descend and the neoprene compresses. Other surface buoyancy comes from impatience when trying to descend, not exhaling when trying to descend, and of course moving your legs(fins) and arms in any way on that initial descent – as soon as those fins move you are propelled back to the waiting sunshine. So divers chuck on the lead, leading to head-up, hips-down poor streamlining, fins kicking up sand or belting coral, or just divers having to force their way through the water, instead of gliding.
Keep on checking your buoyancy. Ditch as much as you can to still be able to hold a comfortable safety stop at 5m at the end of your dive without effort. We should all be doing at least 3 minutes at 5m – so use this time with your buddy to see how your buoyancy is affected with a tanks holding low air, and your wetsuit trying to take you to the surface. If you are heavy at the safety stop you would benefit from re-evaluating how much lead you carry!
Don’t forget also – a change in equipment will likely affect your buoyancy – Cylinders, BCDs, Wetsuits, and fins can all have different amounts of positive and negative buoyancy.
Most importantly, keep frustration at bay and resist duck diving to start the dive. Many undesirable things occur when a diver is trying to force themselves underwater when buoyant – from increased likelihood of ear/sinus damage, higher air consumption,… to your tank valve belting you in the back of the head!
Ask for help from a dive pro – that’s what they are there for, and don’t be shy about it. We have all been there – I promise.
Thank You to Sascha Hofmann for the use of his images of us at Flinders Reef – you can check out his photography here – Underwater Photography with Sascha Hofmann
‘Til next time – Dive Safe.
Diver Di
9th June 2019
After the sad news that a juvenile dolphin was retrieved from the Southport Seaway earlier in the week, Jeanette, Damien, Andrew & I took the chilly plunge off the steps to check out some gear. Damien with his new reg, Jeanette test-diving before a dive trip, and I was rewetting a Nikon/Subal Photography system from a friend – a major new lesson in all aspects – shifting from film to still, micro-camera to DSLR and the monstrously heavy and unwieldy difference it makes!
I did manage to take a few images, although my computer is not accepting the file type, so nothing to show from me today – however Jeanette got a lovely image of a large Lionfish inside the sandpipe housing, along with a pair of what I thought were a triggerfish or leatherjacket species I’d not ever seen before – stunning almost rainbow colouration. Jeanette snapped a quick image to try and identify, and has discovered them to be Blackbar Filefish or RedTail Leatherjacket.
So much to see on a nice long dive – the school of mullet is hanging in the shallows, along with many different species of lionfish, moray eels and a slightly grumpy wobbegong shark, and more of my favourites – the banded coral shrimp and yellow boxfish. A great day!
Til next time – Dive Safe.
Diver Di
Last chance to get in with the great pricing – we are booking flights now – after this week the pricing may change due to late airline bookings!
Dont miss out – its going to be awesome!
http://submersiblehuman.com/upcoming-excursions/dive-truk-lagoon-micronesia-august-2019/
http://submersiblehuman.com/dive-president-coolidge-santo-vanuatu-2019/
Welcome to the cooling days as we head towards winter! I’ve had some great training dives recently but the temperature has started to drop off – 24 down to 21 some dives.
So I’m dreaming of warm places to dive and visit…….
Truk Lagoon – 24th August – 1st September 2019 – we have some new faces on this trip and some we have seen before – exciting as I’m looking forward to taking them on some of the more challenging dives!! Our held airfares are about to expire – we are booking flights this week. This means if anyone books after this time, the price will likely go up as we cannot access the group fare pricing. Blue Lagoon is a lovely resort to stay at while off-gassing between dives, with great staff, crew and facilities. https://bluelagoondiveresort.com/indexresort-1.html
If you are thinking of coming along – get that deposit in to lock the great fares! Very much looking forward to heading back again – the best wreck diving I can name – seriously awesome stuff!
http://submersiblehuman.com/upcoming-excursions/dive-truk-lagoon-micronesia-august-2019/
Santo – Vanuatu & President Coolidge- 77th Anniversary of sinking – 22nd – 29th October 2019 – a recent change for the better has this trip moving one day forward – this means DIRECT FLIGHTS TO AND FROM BRISBANE!!! No longer a few hours stopping over at Port Vila, its a 2.5hour flight between Brisbane & Santo – having us there in a shorter time than flying to Melbourne!
We also have a diver looking at completing Tech Diving while on the trip – at a discounted rate as the dives are already included in the group package. The course in question is SDI/TDI’s Advanced Nitrox (40 to 100% mixes of O2 – upgrading from maximum 40% for Enriched Air qualified) and Decompression Procedures. There are spots left if other divers are interested in joining one or both of these courses. Let me know you are interested and I’ll forward you the details.
A great week in Luganville with an excellent dive centre diving the ex-President Coolidge (massive) shipwreck, Million Dollar Point, and options to visit the beautiful coral reefs by boat trip. https://www.coralquays.com/dive/dive-the-coolidge
If you are thinking of coming along – get that deposit in to lock the great fares! Very much looking forward to heading back again – the best wreck diving I can name – seriously awesome stuff!
http://submersiblehuman.com/dive-president-coolidge-santo-vanuatu-2019/
South Africa – 11th-26th February 2020 – Awesome news – I have a few more places available at the original price listed, however much like Truk Lagoon – we are booking flights this coming week. This will lock pricing so fares do not increase. Trime to bite the bullet and enjoy 9 days of safari and exploration in South Africa enjoying Game Drives, walkabouts, traditional dancing, WALKING WITH RHINOS – OH MY GOD- HOW AMAZING IS THAT?!! – and of course spotting the other 4 of the big 5 – Lions, Tigers, Buffalo and Leopards. Oh and the cute ones too – Zebras, Giraffes ,… the list goes on.
Transport is included.
Twin Share Accommodation is included
Oh – and then 5 days and 10 dives with Tanks, Weights and Dive Guides are included to go and chase the Big 5 SHARKS!!!
Aliwal Shoal & Protea Banks are the sites – searching for: Tiger, Bull, Oceanic Black Tip, Hammerhead and even our local favourite – the RaggedTooth Shark(known locally as Grey Nurse, and elsewhere as Sand Tigers!)
90% of your meals are included! (about 5 meals we will head out locally)
http://submersiblehuman.com/upcoming-excursions/scuba-safari-south-africa-february-2020/
South Africa EXTENTION – Cape Town -25th February – 1st March 2020 For those still undecided on the Cape Town Extension – we have 2 spots only left – and as per SA airlines, we are booking the group fares this week, so now is the time to decide – later the price is likely to increase. I am so ridiculously excited about the African penguins its ridiculous. Of course, diving with Seals, 7-Gilled Cowsharks, snorkelling with Great White Sharks, visiting famous wineries, Table Mountain and Nelson Mandelas incarceration – Robben Island is in there too!!
Gizo – Solomon Islands – July 2020 More details to come when the flyer is complete – but… sp close to home, but remote with amazing diving. DETAILS TO COME HERE –http://submersiblehuman.com/upcoming-excursions/dive-gizo-solomon-islands-july-2020-details-to-come-as-they-are-confirmed/
Christmas Island – Solomon Islands – December 2020 More details to come when the flyer is complete – but… untouched, often un-dived corals, Red Crabs spawning and Whalesharks coming to feast upon it? what an awesome chance!! DETAILS TO COME HERE – http://submersiblehuman.com/upcoming-excursions/dive-christmas-island-november-december-2020-details-to-come-as-they-are-confirmed/
Koror – PALAU! – Micronesia – March 2021 More details to come when the flyer is complete – but… Palau is AMAZING. Clear water, swift currents makes for incredible coral formations, masses of Turtles, Manta Rays, huge shoals of fish and ITS A SHARK SANCTUARY! Black Tips, Whalers, White Tips, Reefs – stunning sharks looking healthy, well fed and beautiful. DETAILS TO COME HERE –http://submersiblehuman.com/upcoming-excursions/dive-palau-march-2021-details-to-come-as-they-are-confirmed/
Komodo – Indonesia – The Coral Triangle – Lets go LIVEABOARD! 10th – 20th July 2021 – Time to get our liveaboard on!! The Indo Siren is an amazing Indonesia Phinisi vessel. Worldwide Dive and Sail provide astounding services on the ‘Sirens’ – Free equipment hire (except dive computer & torch), free Nitrox for those qualified, all drinks included except shelf liquor, all meals and snacks. Up to 4 dives a day on non-transit days, Twin share accommodation,…. and DIVING THE CORAL TRIANGLE!!! The marine life is prolific, corals, sponges , huge shoals of fish, critters, turtles, mantarays, the list goes on. Oh yes, and lets go to a protected park island and see MASSIVE KOMODO DRAGONS!! Its awesome, Epic, and I can’t wait to go back!
http://submersiblehuman.com/upcoming-excursions/dive-komodo-liveaboard-siren-july-2021/
Timor Leste (East Timor) – November 2021 Untouched and stunning. So close and yet often overlooked, the dicing rteports from Timor Leste are coming back amazing, so lets do this! Lots of time to prepare – and we will be flyi ng over from Darwin, so travel should be at a minimum!! DETAILS TO COME HERE – http://submersiblehuman.com/upcoming-excursions/dive-timor-leste-november-2021-details-to-come-as-they-are-confirmed/
Fiji – Voli Voli with extension to Bega Lagoon – March 2022 (details to come)
Phillipines Liveaboard – June 2022 (details to come)
Iceland Discovery – November/December 2022 (details to come)
Other upcomings.
exHMAS Tobruk & Lady Musgrave Island Dive Weekend 2019
I’m building a dive weekend in Bundaberg region, for 2 dive days, 4 dives and accommodation later in the year. Looking for the calmest waters – so Winter – to give the best opportunity to have great conditions diving the Tobruk and Lady Musgrave Island. Stay tuned-details soon!
Fish Rock Cave Weekend 2019
As Fish Rocks Cave was cancelled due to inclement weather on the May Long Weekend, I’ll be shuffling another weekend together soon – when the very busy SouthWestRocks Dive has rom as they are incredibly busy – as usual!!
I am best caught up with on messenger or Facebook page – would love to hear from you in any case – even just let me know what you’re up to/recent dives if I havent seen you for awhile!! Best Fishes and See you underwater!!
I hadn’t planned on diving Sunday – it was a last minute thing to become available.
The weather had not been handing out great in-water conditions at the seaway, so I didn’t prep the camera
– instead wanting to work with a diver on their buoyancy control in slightly challenging conditions. Was I wrong about how memorable the day was.
But let’s not get ahead of things. The photos underwater are from previous dives – so that you get the idea of what critters we saw – but in very poor conditions. The surface shots were thanks to our surface watch Andy from FromThinAir Productions, who just happened to pull out the iphone at the right time!
We arrived to an unwelcome surprise. advised that 24 hours earlier the Seaway tide turned an hour after what was projected.
When we arrived at 9:15, the tide had already turned – at least 1.5hours BEFORE high tide!! Disappointing, but we still kitted up and tried to get in ASAP before the current really started to drag us seaward. Our dive was uneventful, with only a mild current to swim into for the near hour-long duration, with many critters spotted in the low visibility. The two buddy teams lost each other periodically, with the visibility down to 1m in some places – but with enough distance to catch each other to point out specific interests along the way.
We spotted Greyface/White-Eyed Moray Eel, a gnarly old Yellow Margined Moray Eel… a very well camouflaged stonefish looking at us grumpily, a curious octopus, although shy, and my favourite spot – a crocodile fish!! I searched high and low for the recently-spotted frogfish, and the ornate ghost pipefish, but came away unsuccessful. Flathead hanging out everywhere!
Our second trip ran as an outgoing drift – a little more challenging as any disturbance of the silt then flowed in front of us ‘muddying the waters’ ahead. One of the very first things spotted was a mottled catfish which seemed remarkable calm at our approach. On closer inspection I discovered the ‘very chill’ guy was actually snagged badly on a fishing line! As we meandered onwards we inspected many nooks & crannies, spotted a little yellow spotted boxfish (juvenile), lots more cleaner shrimps, and another Octopus that was very curious, even after getting a mild sandstorm blown over him when the surge from a passing big boat hit us all. We rounded the point in the shallows and then descended down to show the divers ‘the poo-pipe’ which was discharging processed water into the outgoing tide.
Hooking up towards the steps, the divers found a big Cod nestled in a grotto nearby, so by the excitement in their eyes I decided to take them down to the 3 water tanks on the off chance my old friend the QLD Grouper was hanging out in the big one. Drifting down to the Sandpiper, it seemed a much larger distance than usual due to the low visibility. We arrived at the tanks, and I peeked inside the largest. Much sanddrift has now made the accessible area inside much small than my last visit, and with just stripeys and a large sweetlip inside, I decided Mr Grouper probably didn’t hang out in there much due to the reduced space. Moving around to the middle and low tank, I bumped into two large lionfish hiding out of the current, and a mass of Stripeys in the middle tank. In case there was something exciting in the low tank – who’s access is now only just big enough for your head, I peered inside to no avail. I looked back to the 3 divers and didi a double take – when did another diver join us? Peering closer, the diver blob came closer and I realised it was one of the Grouper I was searching for – but wow he has grown since I last saw him. Excitedly I pointed him out to the guys, and even Simon, who was less than 2m away didn’t realize immediately that he was looking at an enormous fish, right next to him!
Mr Grouper completely ignored Simon next to him and quietly swam up-current to me, as I retracted my pointing arm, until we were nose-to-nose. Elated but I admit I was a little wary, but then, if he decided to nip me there was nothing I was going to be able to do about it! Enormous, filling my vision, he came close enough for a cuddle – (although I didn’t really 🙂 ) Mr Grouper hung there for awhile and then headed off into the the murk.
It’s not all that often I use the ‘Mind Blown’ underwater signal – and funnily enough during the briefing for this dive Simon asked what my signal for mind blowing was – was there some premonition Simon? I reckon maybe!
Enough for now – Time to plan the next dive!
