Port Stephens is about 2.5 hours North of Sydney and is a stunning harbour area.
Transport is available ( mini bus ) and we will have our dive boat there. Accommodation will be camping at the Halifax Park Caravan park. Beg, borrow or steal camping gear, this is a trip worth it. Some private gear is available such as small tents and mattresses. Sat night BBQ included !
Diving. Dolphins. Beaches. Whale (maybe), surf (we'll bring some body boards), bike hire, bushwalks and the most scenic coffee shop.
Camping cost $20 per night includes BBQ on sat night.
Towing fee for boat $40, payable on first dive
Dives at normal rates. $30 long distance, $20 and $10 under 10 km boat travel.
Option of staying Sunday night and returning in the truck after diving on Monday. (limited to 4 seats)
Great shore dives and offshore boat dives. Open water level.
This is one weekend you must not miss. This is dependent on getting at least 6 people quickly.
Your deposit goes towards our booking cost for arranging this trip and is not refundable unless we find someone to replace you.
The diving
The Looking Glass is one of the classic dives in NSW. A split through the Island leads to another world.
This dive is usually done from the western side of the island although you can do it from the eastern side. The crack is about 5 to 10 metres wide (depending on where you are) and it runs for 40 or 50 metres right through the narrow island. The crack extends above the water for the most part. The depth is around 18 meters to 12 metres, deepens a bit to 15 and then 18 metres at the far end of the crack on the other side of the island. There is a swim-through inside the opening to the crack (a cave within a cave). The fishlife is quite good and the visibility also good. Grey Nurse sharks are often seen on the Western side.
After a first dive at Broughton Island, you normally go to Esmeralda Cove or one of the small beaches on the southern side of the larger island. Esmeralda Cove has are fishing huts and camping sites and looks absolutely fantastic. There are other protected places to have a cup of tea or coffee and a snack as well as a swim in the blue water.
A second dive can be at Broughton Island or The Oakland wreck on the way back to Port Stephens
Other dives are shore dives. Halifax Park Marine reserve and Fly Point ( no flys, lots of fish) are listed in the top 10 shore dives in Australia.
Just look at the options at Port Stephens http://www.michaelmcfadyenscuba.info/viewpage.php?page_id=2#portstephens
Dolphins abound in the Bay and the water is clear and blue. You can dive or snorkel, walk to the top of the headland for some outstanding views, take a ferry ride across the Bay to see the Dolphins up close and explore Tea gardens, or simply relax on the beach, have a swim and enjoy the great company of other Doutsies.
Book now. More details email rlaird@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au or phone 0422633126 after 3.15pm