DIVE LOG JUNE 2025 issue 412

covered ocean floor. However, don’t attempt to swim through to the other side of the Rocks; you’ll quickly discover why it’s called the “Cheese Grater”! Julian Rocks offers multiple great snorkelling, free and scuba diving spots, each with its own unique charm. The sites vary in depth and accessibility, so you can explore everything from shallow, vibrant reefs to deeper areas where bigger creatures like to roam. Here are some of the top spots to explore: Cod Hole (15-22m) one of Julian Rocks’ most iconic dive sites, renowned for its large populations of Cod, including impressive Queensland Groupers. This site often draws larger marine life like Reef Sharks and Loggerhead Turtles. The Nursery (8-16m) a shallow dive site suited to both snorkellers and divers. Its vibrant coral gardens are teeming with life, providing an excellent opportunity for underwater photography. The Needles (12-16m) a visually stunning dive site featuring coral gardens, needle-like rock formations, and an abundance of marine life. The vibrant underwater landscape, adorned with soft and hard corals, provides an immersive experience for both beginners and experienced divers. Each freedive at Julian Rocks uncovers a new aspect of its magical marine ecosystem, leaving a lasting impression whether you’re an experienced freediver or a beginner. With its ever-changing underwater environment, Julian Rocks rewards multiple visits, as shifting visibility, currents, and light create unique diving experiences and increase the chances of encountering

some of its remarkable creatures. Vibrant coral gardens host nudibranchs, and invertebrates, while schools of colourful fish create mesmerizing patterns. The reserve’s biodiversity shifts with the seasons, making each dive more rewarding. Exploring here isn’t just about spotting marine life; it’s about immersing yourself in an ever evolving underwater world and appreciating the intricate relationships and subtle beauty that define this vibrant sanctuary. Spending over 25 hours in the water over 8 days, I’ve barely scratched the surface of what lies beneath the waves of Julian Rocks Nguthungulli Nature Reserve. Each freedive, each snorkel, reveals something new, the vastness of this marine paradise feeling infinite. From the vibrant coral gardens to the abundant schools of fish, the diversity of life here is overwhelming; and it becomes more captivating the deeper you dive into its waters. Despite the time I’ve spent exploring, there’s still so much to uncover. Every reef, rock, and ledge seems to hold another hidden gem. Even after countless encounters, the creatures of Julian Rocks never fail to amaze, and each visit offers new perspectives, new behaviours, and new experiences to appreciate. With so much still left to discover, Julian Rocks remains a constant source of wonder and excitement—an underwater world that’s as vast and mysterious as the ocean itself. But what secrets lie beneath the waves of Julian Rocks during the winter months? Well… that’s a story for another time. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freediving.visions/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vadim.belakhov/ eMail; vbelakhov@gmail.com

Spectacular Leopard Shark glides over a colourful reef

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DIVE LOG Australasia #412 June 25

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