405_April_24

WONDERFUL FISHES OF NORFOLK ISLAND

:: article and images by N igel M ar Sh and h ele N r oS e www.nigelmars h p ho t o grap h y.c o m

R olling over the side of the boat we were astonished to find the visibility close to 40m. Below we could see an interesting terrain of rock and coral, numerous fishes, and something very special – eight Galapagos sharks. As we descended the sharks slowly patrolled around us and throughout the dive they cruised overhead. It was great to see these special sharks that are only seen at a few locations. However, they were not the only special and unique fishes we saw during our visit to Norfolk Island.

Norfolk Island is a remote rocky outcrop in the Pacific Ocean, located on an undersea ridge that runs from New Caledonia to New Zealand. While situated in a subtropical zone, the island has a fascinating mixture of tropic and temperate fishes, including many that are endemic and unique to the area. It was these wonderful fishes that drew us to book a week-long holiday to Norfolk Island in February.

An Australian External Territory, Norfolk Island is accessible on flights from Brisbane and Sydney. As a holiday destination it has a lot going for it; a pleasant climate, interesting land and seascapes, numerous seabirds and a fascinating colonial history, with many of the islanders descendants of the HMS Bounty mutineers. The island’s economy is based on tourism, and we had a wonderful week exploring Norfolk Island above and below the water line.

S h ark feed at Kingst o n Jetty.

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DIVE LOG Australasia #405 - April ‘24

www.divelog.net.au