> Well, we're back, and had an awesome trip. Managed to squeeze in some diving
> between wineries which made it all the better...
>
>
> Rottnest
> First up we did a day trip with Perth Diving Academy, two dives out at Rotto
> (see I'm learning)... The Lionfish IV is a great boat, plenty of room,
> showers on board, hot meals cooked onboard, the lot. Everything was well
> organised - most of the crew were young, but really seemed to know what they
> were doing. We found them a very professional and businesslike organisation.
>
> First dive was at 'Star Picket', a rocky patch with the usual features, swim
> throughs, overhangs etc etc. Plenty of sea life, and heard whalesong for the
> first time in my life. There was a 2 ish meter swell running so it was a bit
> surgey, although lovely and peaceful a bit deeper. A great dive all in all.
> 10+ meters vis, water 15-16 degrees.
>
> The second dive was at Phillip Rock. We really just played around a bit
> here, with a max depth of 5m and both underweighted. As the alloy tanks
> emptied, I found myself having to empty my chest just to take photos. A few
> stones in the pockets helped, but I really needed another kg or 2. We were
> swamped by a massive school of (samson???) fish at one stage who slowly
> circled us for 2-3 minutes, and found a few small crays at the 4 meter mark
> A good dive, although the 'locals' seemed to make more of it than we did.
> Apparently a quick lap of the rock is the best way to dive it...
>
>
> Swan day 1
> First up I have to thank Cape Dive and cannot recommend them highly enough.
> Very friendly and personalised service, a fast well laid out boat and GREAT
> staff. A simple lunch is included too, so no need to pack sandwiches. The
> owners haven't had the business all that long and while the shop itself is
> under renovations I think they will only get better... Some bargains to be
> had too, particularly wetsuits, give them a shout if you're after any bits
> and pieces.
> http://www.capediveexperience.com/en/index.php
>
> As for actually diving the Swan, well... To start with we had the place to
> ourselves. Cape Dive were happy to run the boat with only two divers, so the
> girl and I jumped at the chance to explore the wreck by ourselves. 20 meter
> vis and no current made it all the more unbearable - this was going to be a
> great day. We did two dives, just meandering aimlessly in, out and through
> the wreck taking pics and having a ball. I'm sure the web's full of better
> descriptions of the wreck itself than I could offer, so I won't go into any
> detail here, but it was awesome. A very safe and well prepared old destroyer
> and well worth diving. Plenty to see all the way up to around 8 meters.
> She's been down over ten years now, so attracting a lot of life. Water temp
> 15 degrees... Conditions like this and not having to share the wreck with
> anyone made these two very memorable dives...
>
>
> Day 2 - Swan / Bussleton
> We'd booked a second day on the water with Cape Dive, and while we were
> looking for a bit of variety we were more than happy when they said it was a
> Swan and Bussleton jetty double. There were a few more divers on the trip,
> so we had to share it but 6 divers on a 112 meter wreck really isn't what
> you would call crowded. The vis was down to about 10 meters, and the inside
> was definitely more silted than two days before but still very tolerable.
>
> Bussleton would have to be one of, if not the best pier dive I've ever done.
> Sea life of all shapes and sizes and more nudibranchs than you could count.
> Big orange buggers, although I haven't bothered looking up what species as
> yet. We surprised a few people who were in the observatory when we passed
> and made their day when we waved back, hehehe. Both of us spent most of the
> dive masks pushed into cameras and we got quite a few good pics. Getting
> cold around the 55 minute mark, so headed back to the boat only to find the
> rest of the divers onboard waiting for us and in dry clothes already. Good
> thing it wasn't warmer, we'd probably still be down there!
>
> The day's highlight would have had to have been some unexpected whale
> watching. En route from the Swan to the jetty, we were sitting at the back
> of the boat when they suddenly cut power to the engines and there was some
> excited chatter as everyone gathered up front. The skipper had spotted a
> small pod of whales and they stayed around for the next 5-10 minutes, approx
> 20 meters from the boat. There was at least one calf and two adults in the
> pod, just basking in the sun at the surface. We managed a pic or two, but
> they don't do the whales any justice really, just looking like bit slabs of
> leather floating in the ocean. This might be a fairly common occurence for
> WA divers, but for the Melbourne contingent it was pretty special to see.
>
>
> We haven't had a chance to have a good look at our photos yet, but will post
> a link to something in the next couple of days...
>
>
> Note
> If anyone is thinking about diving or holidaying in the greater Dunsborough
> area, definitely give the guys at Cape Dive a call. I know I might sound
> like I''ve got a vested interest, but really, their service was fantastic.
> There's probably only one other charter mob I've ever dived with that I'd
> give a similar rating, but they were in NZ. Further, the guys at Cape Dive
> are more than happy to help organise wine tours, accommodation, anything -
> even babysitting. They might even take you diving as well. heheheh
>
>
> To Hoges and Fraser, thanks again for the info, certainly helped make the
> trip as good as it was.