Just moved to Sydney

[bathbiggles1]

I've just moved to Sydney from the UK and looking for some top tips and recommendations (or should that be recommendos).

Did a quick dive at Harbord last weekend and saw either a Leafy or a Weedy Sea Dragon - (I'm sure they know the difference) - which was very cool.

I have dived at South West Rocks and the GBR in earlier years and intend to dive the Yongala with a buddy who is coming at Christmas. But would like some recommendations for local stuff either in Sydney or within a weekend drive away.

Thanks in advance

Cheers

 

[almitywife]

:happywave and welcome

i would say you saw a weedy sea dragon becuase we only have leafys in south australia and western australia

in sydney, i choose a dive site depending on what i want to see

Kurnell at sutherland for weedies but you want to do it on a incoming tide

Bare Island is always a fav for various critters and a bit of depth

shelly beach at manly for wobbys, pj's and when in season the baby dusky sharks

and then you have the boat dives - Magic point at maroubra for grey nurse sharks or via long reef you have the apartments or colours

and then you have the road trips!!!!!!!!!! 1hr south is shell harbour and 2hrs north is nelson bay....

and then it can be as simple as the nets at balmoral beach or manly wharf nets for sea horses or camp cove for a cruisy dive with lots of critters and for the novelty factor you have coogee pool (night dive only in summer)

and then you have the deeper wreck stuff (that i dont do)

we are spoilt here as we have so many choices to dive!!

 

[bathbiggles1]

Many thanks Mrs Almighty.

I'll try to do as much as I can!

Cheers

 

[P-Dizzle]

Get in contact with Abyss Scuba Diving at Ramsgate. They have free guided shore dives on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

 

[almitywife]

Many thanks Mrs Almighty.

I'll try to do as much as I can!

Cheers

heheh - too much to dive over here....... are you teaching while in sydney??

cheers

 

[bathbiggles1]

Mrs Almighty

........my understanding is that there are bucket loads of instructors in Sydney - so there probably isn't room for another one. But if anyone needs me I'm happy to help out!

 

[almitywife]

heheheeheh - well i know Scuba *****house - opps, warehouse at parramatta is always churning thru their instructors (and what does that tell you about the place)

hubby manages to get one weekend off a month from teaching (frogdive) and especially as he got his MEG now he wishes he had more time

ENJOY sydney..... and keep an eye out for a SB sydney dive-together 2nd week of December :multi:

 

[bathbiggles1]

Well I did do a couple of dives today -Boat dives off the North Head and somewhere called Old Man's Hat.

First one was OK but the second was excellent - 2 large black rays, a wobbey, a Weedy Sea Dragon and a huge Crayfish. All very nice.

The Dive Shop staff were very helpful and accomodating but the boat experience was poor in my opinion. Two tank dive - driver rocked up at the beach, hussled us along, minimal brief, no refreshment between dive (unless you count a tub of fizzy sweets) and an air of someone whose morning was being interupted. Maybe he was having a bad day but he's lost that dive centre a client for the future.

Cheers

 

[almitywife]

was the boat captain french by any chance????

seriously,... what dive crew did you go with... pm me if youre shy

BTW - we will be here tomorrow night..... please join us if you havent got any other plans; http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/australia/207842-sydney-sb-social-meetngreet.html


cheers

 

[bathbiggles1]

It probably wouldn't be fair to name the dive operation involved based on just one experience but if they read this they will know who they are. As I mentioned - the shop staff were very good.

The Captain wasn't French - he was a good ol Aussie. Nothing specifically unpleasant about him - he just couldn't be arsed to make an effort and recognise that he was the public face of the dive centre. He just didn't really give a *?!* and didn't mind who knew it.

Thanks for the invite - can't make tomorrow but will be here for some months at least so will probably be on the same dive at some point.