Tuesday 10 May 2022 was a perfect late autumn morning in Apollo Bay. Cold air (6°C at dawn), sea temperature pleasant in an appropriate wetsuit (15.5°C), very little swell and a glassy ocean. I started the day with a 1600m swim from the end of my street to the harbour wall and back. Then I snorkelled for an hour off Marengo at the southern end of Mounts Bay. The BlueSeventy wetsuit, a RipCurl winter hood and Patagonia 3mm booties were ideal for these swims on this day. The inner reef of Little Henty reefs and the edge of the rock shelf at Hayley Point were both readily accessible on the low tide in these conditions.
I find snorkelling peaceful and exhilarating. I hope these photos enable the reader to share something of the enjoyment I find cruising around these reefs.
My view of Marengo as I swam out from the beach to Little Henty Reef. Approaching Little Henty reef. The rocks on the seabed are associated with the reef. The swim out to the reef was over a sandy seabed.
Underwater gardens on the reefs
A comb jelly
I have never seen one of these and I had no idea what it was. Turns out it’s a comb jelly. It’s an amazing creature. For example, it’s not a jelly fish. Google it.The comb jelly is quite beautiful. It has vivid iridescence on lines along its body. This image captures something of what I saw in this regard. The colours were vivid and scintillating, and surprising.
Unidentified thing
I have no idea what this is. My researches to date have yielded nothing. It looks like a rough first-draft sketch for a milk carton, done by a child. I suspect it’s a jelly fish of some sort, or perhaps some lower order relation of a jelly fish. I will amend this caption when I find the answer.
A few fish
It is said that where there are fish, there are bigger fish. Perhaps that is correct, but on this day I didn’t see them. There is a well camouflaged fish swimming in this scene (see next photo for enlarged detail).
Clear water and blue skies
The tip of Hayley Point.A hot shower and a hearty (late) breakfast followed. I have no plans to leave Apollo Bay.
Thank you Carole. There is a lot of natural beauty around Apollo Bay. As you would have gathered, the world just beneath the surface of the sea around the rock shelves and reefs is a favourite of mine. Cheers, John.
South 
You certainly are enjoying life in the bay. Great photos
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Marion. Yes, I am doing exactly that. 😎
LikeLike
Wonderful photos John I do so enjoy your exploits at Apollo Bay, and who would leave such a beautiful place.
Cheers Carole Doyle
Sent from my iPhone
>
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Carole. There is a lot of natural beauty around Apollo Bay. As you would have gathered, the world just beneath the surface of the sea around the rock shelves and reefs is a favourite of mine. Cheers, John.
LikeLike