DIVE LOG DECEMBER 25 ISSUE 415

Our Backyard: Cairns Travel Blog 9:Article and photos by Dr. Terry and Cathie Cummins .

O ctober November - this is the time in the Far North of Queensland, Australia when the weather Gods gently turn the switch on the wind direction meter from a predominantly South-Easterly to a Northerly direction. It is also the time that there is a slight hint in all the calmness that we are approaching cyclone season. Nevertheless, in our opinion, it is the best diving time of the year. Calm seas and access to diving sites that are a bit trickier to get to when the Southerly winds dominate. In fact, when we are asked: “what is the best time to visit Cairns”, we always say October/November when it’s either brilliant or great, but slightly on the unpredictable side. So we stay at home and enjoy your backyard where travel time to our preferred dive vessels is just 15 minutes and shorter than it takes us to unload the Landcruiser of all the dive and camera gear for the 100 m walk from ‘The Pier’ car park to the Cairns Marina docks. We have written several blogs on our adventures on Mike Ball Dive Expedition’s: Spoilsport at this time of year but we also absolutely love making day trips with our mates on AquaQuest where Skipper: Burkie and Divemaster: Mario, really go out of their way to put us on the very best dive sites the day offers. In fact, the boats we choose are all staffed with professional, knowledgeable instructors, who tirelessly help us in and out of the water with bulky

cameras and the added weight of our solo diving gear. So it’s time to have our readers gain an insight into the fantastic day dives that can be enjoyed in our backyard: Cairns. October / November is also the time many things are just happening. Countless fish species are breeding, and the Reef Authority temporarily close all fishing, so our fish populations have a chance to restock. Sea birds are likewise very active, turtles are mating and nesting, and the coral is spawning. But what about the actual diving? At this time of year you can experience ocean conditions at their very best. We experience ‘glass-outs’ (i.e. lake type surface conditions) on some days with wind speeds down to 5 knots or less, while underwater 30m plus visibility is not uncommon, water the temperature is up around 28C, and you can see all you want to see in less than 20m of water. Amongst the many dive sites found, Norman, Saxon, Moore, Milne and Flynn reefs are the most popular and our favourites. These five reefs have multiple dive and snorkel sites with each having their own unique name like: Sandra’s, Troppos, Plate-Top, Caves, Turtle Bay, The Edge, Club 10, Clippers, Golf Clubs, Fishbowl and Three Sisters. Remember even on day dives you are going to be at least 28 nautical miles from the coast, and we can have strong currents at some sites depending on the tropical tides. Therefore, through their ‘duty of care’ and

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DiveLog Australasia #415 - December’ 25

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