With huge swells hitting Sydney this weekend there wasn't going to be a pleasant place to dive other than Clifton Gardens or Shiprock. I chose Clifton Gardens. I got there early in the hope of avoiding other divers but was beaten by 8 divers who were nearly ready when I arrived. They got in 15 to 20 minutes before me but started inside the pool meaning I'd have the pier to myself at least for some time.
I got in at the beach to the east of the pier and waded out until it was deep enough to dive. I followed the net along under the pier until I reached the end of the net. I saw some interesting nudibranchs along the way.
Once I got past the nets I headed down the slope under the pier and swam from one side of the pier to the other looking for interesting organisms. I saw a number of cuttlefish and sponge decorator crabs and a seahorse. Right near the end of the pier in the deeper water I spotted a pair of White's seahorse courting. I shot some photographs and some video.
I worked my way up and found more seahorses, nudibranchs, and 3 pipefish. Back near the net I found a number of Armina sp. nudibranchs on the sand.
I had a quick look along the nets but I was cold and needed to pee so I swam back under the pier to the beach and got out. |
