Big Waves at Little Henty Reef, Snorkelling at Little Henty Reef, West Coast surfers, a Shark Warning

The constant and ever-changing backdrop to life in Apollo Bay is the ocean. Swells come and go on the west coast of Victoria, unlike the wind which blows most days. The size of the swell is determined by storms in higher latitudes deep in the Southern Ocean. The strength and direction of the wind on … Continue reading Big Waves at Little Henty Reef, Snorkelling at Little Henty Reef, West Coast surfers, a Shark Warning →

Winter swim around Little Henty Reef: seals on the reef, underwater views of kelp and the reef and Marengo plonkers

I have long wanted to swim around the inner reef at Little Henty Reef in the Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuary. The reefs are not far offshore from Hayley Point at Marengo. The weather and sea conditions here are unsuitable most of the time for such a swim. However, the weather and ocean omens were pointing … Continue reading Winter swim around Little Henty Reef: seals on the reef, underwater views of kelp and the reef and Marengo plonkers →

Snorkelling on the exposed and remote coast near Cape Otway

A remote Southern Ocean beach without a name on a rugged little bay on the west coast of Victoria. Sounded ideal. Was. Lizzie and I packed a good map, a picnic lunch, my wetsuit and snorkelling gear and the waterproof camera. We also carried a mud map drawn by a helpful local to assist us … Continue reading Snorkelling on the exposed and remote coast near Cape Otway →

My first underwater look at Little Henty Reef, Apollo Bay

I mentioned to a swimming friend who is married to a shark fisherman that I was planning to go snorkelling at Little Henty Reef. "Shark Alley!" was her response, albeit with a smile. Well, there is a seal colony (non-breeding) on one of the higher exposed sections of the reef. But surfers surf this reef, … Continue reading My first underwater look at Little Henty Reef, Apollo Bay →

Beauty beneath the Surface

Snorkelling in rock pools near Skenes Creek

The reefs and rock pools along the west coast of Victoria only reveal their beauty to those prepared to get wet. For half the time they are entirely concealed by the ocean at high tide, and for the other half they present as relatively unattractive seaweed filled pools scattered between rocky outcrops on the reef, … Continue reading Beauty beneath the Surface →