This morning I snorkelled solo at a local coastal reef on a suitably low tide (0.4m). I took these photos in four different rock pools – two I have snorkelled in before, and two were new to me. They were all wonderfully colourful and brimming with life. I wore my Garmin watch thinking I might need to know the time. That need didn’t arise.
Views like this were on offer in every direction immediately upon looking below the surface.Two worlds. The billowing cumulus clouds above the headland are indicators of unstable air which can produce thunderstorms. The afternoon and evening brought heavy rain and thunderstorms as expected. View to the west from the surface of one of the rock pools. The yellow object looked like plastic or some industrial object. But closer inspection revealed it to be simply a rock, with a slippery coating of yellow algae of some sort. The colour of the underwater light varied according to where the camera was pointing in relation to the sun, as did the quality of the reflections on the underside of the surface of the sea. The maze of channels and passages between rocky outcrops and masses of kelp kept me constantly banking left and right as I glided weightlessly and at will.Solitary fish over a clear sandy patch. It was close to invisible when over the seaweed and rocks. The kelp brushed my chest and hands and legs as I glided over it to deeper water and that sandy trail in the distance. An inviting pathway, which I took. The second rock pool in which I snorkelled had less marine plants than the other pools. This pool was more protected than the others, and there were no waves breaking over the rocks on its seaward side. The water visibility was very good. This large school of small fish was visible and kept about this distance from me for most of my swim in their company.The blue in the reflections at the top of this image is a distorted glimpse of the blue sky. Excellent underwater visibility over white sand. Surface ripples and bright overhead sunlight created the shimmering pavement effect on the sand.A privilege to swim in such water.One pool was an endless succession of tight gaps and passages through the prolific plant life and reef structures.The aqua area on the left is the seabed below about 5m of water. I slid into the water as shown, and my snorkelling in this pool started with a dive down through this clear water.The water here was not as clear as in the other pools, as it had an open connection to the sea with a strong current moving the water around. The shafts of sunlight combined with the bubbles and other material suspended in the water to create this curtain effect between surface and seabed. I saw a lot of bigger fish in this pool.Away from the channel to the sea and the currents things were moving at a much slower pace, and at times, not at all.Marine garden in a quiet corner of a rock pool. Overhanging kelp with mirror reflections of the whole scene on the surface. A peaceful place.
I spent an afternoon snorkelling in rockpools with friends on the Bass Coast and it was magical. Your post has been helpful and enjoyable – thank you so much for sharing. Your photos are fabulous!
Thanks for your comment Susan. I’m pleased to know that you enjoyed this post. Victorian rock pools can look quite dull and uninviting at a glance. But as you know, they are often full of colour and life, and if you pick your rock pool and tide carefully, the underwater visibility can be excellent.
South 
Stunning John! It looks so serene
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It’s exactly that Boo. Let me know when that new blue dive mask of yours is ready for another outing!
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Hi John,
if you have time tomorrow morning 11am (Sat) you are welcome to join the Sea Slug snorkel survey at Marengo,
Regards Tim
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I may well join you in the water at Marengo tomorrow morning Tim.
Thanks for the invitation.
Cheers,
John
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John, thank you for your beautiful photos, on viewing- they give me gently peace – in our troubled world today.
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My pleasure Mary. I’m pleased you find something peaceful in these photos.
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I spent an afternoon snorkelling in rockpools with friends on the Bass Coast and it was magical. Your post has been helpful and enjoyable – thank you so much for sharing. Your photos are fabulous!
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Thanks for your comment Susan. I’m pleased to know that you enjoyed this post. Victorian rock pools can look quite dull and uninviting at a glance. But as you know, they are often full of colour and life, and if you pick your rock pool and tide carefully, the underwater visibility can be excellent.
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