22nd February 2009
After a week of westerly breezes and no real rain to speak of, the opportunity to attempt a shore dive at Greenend Gully seemed too good to miss.
On driving up the track from the new harbour it was soon evident however that a combination of heavy ‘diver’ traffic and winter weather has clearly started to take its toll on the approach track . Indeed at the top of the track the surface is something of a quack mire of potholes and mud. Successfully navigating past this problem we arrived at the top parking area to again find that the winter has taken its toll with part of the cliff area having collapsed down onto the shore below. Nearer to the waters edge the track has also suffered over the winter and is in need of some repair.
Kitting up we advanced down this track and out along the concrete path and down to the waters edge.
The chilly February water had the benefit of ensuring that only a few other hardy divers were out enjoying this site. Entering the water we were rewarded by a reasonable 4 metres of underwater visibility.
Gently dropping down the underwater steps that form the underwater topography we eventually left the relative security of the gully and ventured out into more exposed waters. Here the full extent of the tide could be experienced. Despite the cold the soft corals that cover the underwater cliffs were out in all their glory feeding on the rich nutrients that flowed past in the tide.
Reluctantly we headed back into the shelter of the gully and gently ascended back upwards towards the entry point. Carefully searching amongst the crevices and walls of the gully we came across a wealth of small marine creatures including crabs, squat lobsters and even a scorpionfish.
In the shallower water we also found numerous hermit crabs. After nearly an hour in the water, the biting cold was beginning to take its toll on ones hands, so reluctantly we left the water and headed back up the rough track back to the car.