420 Dive Log Australasia OCTOBER 2026

The sheltered bays of Montague Island are home year- round to hundreds of Australian and New Zealand fur seals. Several operators run tours from the Narooma to Montague Island, with weather and group numbers dictating departures. Wetsuits are provided and some operators have guides who also come into the water. The seals put on such a riveting show- I get out of the water only when my hands start to throb. In future I’ll bring gloves as well as a swimming cap. Wondrous as it is to snorkel with the seals, the Eurobodalla region features many easily accessible snorkelling experiences. Thanks to the protection offered by the Batemans Marine Park, snorkellers and divers are treated to a flourishing array of marine life. Being the southernmost range of the warm East Australian Current, it lures subtropical as well as temperate species. The underwater palette here is muted and the textures are velvety; think rich olive greens, lustrous golds, burgundy reds and ice-cream pinks. Big blue gropers, rays, seals, large pods of dolphins, wobbegongs, grey nurse sharks, and migrating whales make for enthralling aquatic scenes.

Green Turtle

Seal at Montague Island. Melissa Sanatoa.

Blue Gropers at Montague Island. Mike S.

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Dive Log Australasia #420 October ’26

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