DIVE LOG AUSTRALASIA FEB 2025 ISSUE 410

numerous types of soft corals and several sizable Lionfish were on patrol looking for a breakfast of Anthias. The lager hump also had a small cave with a multitude of small fish life inside too numerous to detail while the top of both structures hosted colonies of Nemos and schools of small reef fish. We also came across a friendly juvenile Moray Eel who had not yet developed all his teeth fully. Swimming around the structure took some time, but well worth the amazing experience of seeing the massive Gorgonian Fans, schools of Banner Fish and in the deep: Dog Toothed Tuna, and White Tip Reef Sharks.

Regal Angelfish

were cautious of the trailing tentacles as in Far North Queensland some jellyfish species are extremely dangerous. However, we were able to capture the beautiful pink, white and transparent body structures of these drifting nomads. After another fantastic day and a BBQ dinner we enjoyed the bantering associated with the trip’s onboard photo competition where the winner goes into the annual draw for a free trip on Spoilsport. Some great photos were presented in the two categories: compact and SLR cameras. But all good things must come to an end, and it was time for the overnight trip back north to Horn where we would meet our flight back to Cairns. We cannot speak more highly of the vessel: Spoilsport, of its crew, facilities, meals and wonderful diving they provided for us. Understandably, we are already wait listed for a return trip in 2025. We simply must do it all again because in the space provided to us here, we cannot possibly relate all that we saw and even hope to imagine what we probably missed.

Our last dives of the expedition were at a site called: ‘MP4’. Here a pinnacle rises out of 40 mts to within 4 mts of the surface with smaller coral out-crops scattered around at 25 mts. We dropped in right on top of a resting Leopard Shark who for a while took exception to our presence. However, after completing a few a few laps of the pinnacle settled down and provided us with great photo opportunities. Again the marine life was diverse and super interesting. The list of species we sighted is endless. However, amongst the giant Gorgonian Fans and small crevices we again found the brightly coloured Long-Nose Hawk Fish and a Stonefish, while the wall was populated with various sea stars, Razor Clams, several species of nudibranchs. Banded Pipefish. Lionfish, various species of Butterfly Fish, Angelfish and Nemos were also plentiful. Of particular interest was the massive schools of Long-Tailed Banner Fish, Snapper and Cresent Tailed Bigeye. On returning to Spoilsport underwater at 5 mts as part of our safety stop procedure, we found ourselves in very deep water and in a scattered school of jellyfish. We

Authors enjoying a ‘glass-out’ sunset

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DIVE LOG Australasia #410 - February 25

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