NFT - places to snorkel

[astrogirl]

On the weekend, I went snorkelling for the first time and I really enjoyed it! It is so peaceful and effortless - I was pleasantly surprised as I am not a strong swimmer.

Does anyone know of any good places to go snorkelling? Aside from the obvious answer - Queensland Any suggestions near Sydney and Newcastle would be great

 

[antonius]

There is a place called the Shark Hole at Catherine Hill Bay near Newcastle. Now don't worry it's called the shark hole because of the wobby gong sharks there. If you don't like the idea of snorkling with them then there are some big rock pools in the same area to snorkle in and they are really good.

 

[Doctor]

On the weekend, I went snorkelling for the first time and I really enjoyed it! It is so peaceful and effortless - I was pleasantly surprised as I am not a strong swimmer.

Does anyone know of any good places to go snorkelling? Aside from the obvious answer - Queensland Any suggestions near Sydney and Newcastle would be great

Finding water is usually a good start - preferably deep enough to assume a horizontal position in, in order to view and swim simultaneously. :idea:

I've only been snorkelling a couple of times - but that was up near Forster in conditions that were not condusive to viewing fish - the odd Jellyfish floated by but besides that all I saw was toadfish and the occassional plain-looking fish that looked neither tasty nor attractive unfortunately.

I've heard good things about Catherine Hill Bay - I would also consider heading further north into less-affected waters where the water is clear and the fish bright - wouldn't know where to start on that one though.

 

[mrford61]

Done a lot of snorkeling/spearfishing as a youngster and unless things have changed then around Newcastle the "world is your oyster" in the lake or along the coast. My favourite though was the breakwater on "Winda Woppa" beach near Hawksnest. A bit Sharkified but on the right day was outstanding.

 

[astrogirl]

Finding water is usually a good start - preferably deep enough to assume a horizontal position in, in order to view and swim simultaneously. :idea:

Hmmm, this tells me quite a bit about what you think of my intelligence Oswin!!! :shock:

antonius and mrford61 - what's with the shark references?!! "Wobby gong" sharks?! What are they?!!!?

I would rather snorkel in safe places, given my lack of swimming skill!

 

[mrford61]

Finding water is usually a good start - preferably deep enough to assume a horizontal position in, in order to view and swim simultaneously. :idea:

Hmmm, this tells me quite a bit about what you think of my intelligence Oswin!!! :shock:

antonius and mrford61 - what's with the shark references?!! "Wobby gong" sharks?! What are they?!!!?

I would rather snorkel in safe places, given my lack of swimming skill!

Sorry, sharks is the last thing you want to hear about when it comes to snorkeling.
The area was/is an area with a lot of sharks.

I had a dog that was the most faithful animal I have ever known that would go up and down the breakwater following me as I was spearfishing. Sharks were always in the back of my mind at that spot and for some inexpliccable (spelling) reason she one day launched herself off the rocks straight onto my back. Scared me half to death.
Was she telling me something?? I dont know but I called it quits for the day.

 

[astrogirl]

Thanks mrford61, but I think I'll stick to safe and calm spots!

 

[Andy]

Leggy Point near Glenrock lagoon is great. There are some great caves to check out.

Around the bluff at Redhead is pretty cool too.

 

[astrogirl]

Thanks Andy - will check it out next time I am in Newcastle.

 

[bazza]

Clovelly is a great place to snorkel for beginners

 

[astrogirl]

Thanks for that bazza. I plan to head out there this weekend, time and weather permitting of course

 

[keeney]

pffft snorkeling whata lame girl past time, get certified, BE A DIVER :lol:

 

[mrford61]

pffft snorkeling whata lame girl past time, get certified, BE A DIVER :lol:

$$$$$$$$

 

[astrogirl]

pffft snorkeling whata lame girl past time, get certified, BE A DIVER :lol:

$$$$$$$$

Exactly!! Also, I really enjoy snorkelling. Won't rule out giving scuba diving a go though

 

[Doctor]

Finding water is usually a good start - preferably deep enough to assume a horizontal position in, in order to view and swim simultaneously. :idea:

Hmmm, this tells me quite a bit about what you think of my intelligence Oswin!!! :shock:

Just kidding with you Astrogirl - if anything, it is a reflection of my snorkelling experience that I've concerned myself with establishing the fundamentals of the craft. ;-)

antonius and mrford61 - what's with the shark references?!! "Wobby gong" sharks?! What are they?!!!?

It is interesting you mention Wobbygongs and indeed Newcastle's coastline - I don't mean to scare you but there was a fellow on Tuesday that was either snorkelling or diving a couple of hundred metres off the coast of Caves Beach (between Newcastle and Lake MacQuarie for those unfamiliar with the area).

I wouldn't say he was attacked, but let's just say he found the need to swim into the shore, walk a fair way to his car, drive a half a k to the lifeguard - all with a small wobbygong shark - no bigger than 50-70 cms big - attached to his leg. :whistle

Now before you get too worried - Wobbygongs are not known to attack humans (this was more of a latching-onto, as opposed to an attack), and the lifeguard had no idea how to deal with it, proving the rarity of such an event. Wobbygongs will often swim with divers but have never really been known to do anything - they're safe.

Now: by the sounds of it, you don't seem keen on venturing off the coast anyway. Perhaps, given your aversion to shark-encounters, you might like to try somewhere less rough and a location without the possibility of sharks.

I hear Lambton Pool is good this time of year....... ;-)

 

[astrogirl]

I hear Lambton Pool is good this time of year....... ;-)

No way! Conjures up bad memories of school swimming carnivals! Anyway, how many species of fish do you think I would see there?!?

 

[Doctor]

I hear Lambton Pool is good this time of year....... ;-)

No way! Conjures up bad memories of school swimming carnivals! Anyway, how many species of fish do you think I would see there?!?

Depends what time of the day - early morning is the best time. Individual fish powering through the water (you'll have to be quick to see them), but they tend to come and go regularly so you'll probably catch several glimpses of them.

Later on in the day, around 9 o'clock, there tends to be small schools of fish, perhaps 7 or 8, who will rush by - some quicker than others. They aren't as spectacular as the early-morning fish but they give you a good view of their oily bodies.

These schools of fish tend to continue on until about 1pm when the water will remain calm for a few moments. It is at this point that you remain cautious of being attacked - large species of fish will invade the water from nowhere, attacking each other, dive-bombing, and will cause a great upheaval on the surface of the water. This particular species tends to be plumper than the other kind, more proned to either sinking or else splashing greatly. These creatures will remain in the area for only about 40-50 minutes before the late-morning fish commence again - slower than before.

At around 3 o'clock it all stops - calmness in the water. But before long the early morning fish arrive oncemore to astonish divers with their speed and efficiency through the water. They are not caked in the oily substance, nor as they as fat as previous fish. These are splendid creatures.

Happy diving.

 

[astrogirl]

So far the suggestions have been:

1. Shark hole at Catherine Hill Bay
2. beach near Hawks Nest
3. Leggy Point near Glenrock Lagoon
4. around the bluff at Redhead
5. Clovelly
6. Lambton Pool

I am in Newcastle at the moment. Needless to say I decided against going to Lambton Pool ;-) Went for a drive between Nobbys and Dixon Park, but the areas around rocks looked a little too choppy for me (terrible swimmer). So I just went for a swim at the beach instead.

I will definitely check out Clovelly soon. For anyone that has never been there, Clovelly has a small beach with a narrow passage which the water flows gently into. I think that might be an ideal place for me to get some swimming practice in!

 

[antonius]

We were ski bobbing in Lake Macquarie yesterday, this morning the local radio station informs us that a 3 metre bull shark was spotted in Belmont Bay, (a spot I fish in quite a bit) and not far from where we were yesterday! (scary) Bull Sharks are quite aggressive, and will attack you.

 

[astrogirl]

All this shark talk is really freaking me out. I am absolutely staying in sheltered spots!

Can anyone explain to me where Glenrock Lagoon is? When I was in high school I did orienteering for a while and I think we used to go somewhere in the vicinity of Glenrock. But I always imagined that a lagoon was just a massive pool of stagant water. Am I wrong? Are lagoons connected to the sea?