TOOWOON BAY SNORKEL - 29 MARCH 2017

A flat surf day this morning with very light wind and an incoming tide. The ocean was looking very glassy.

I walked along the beach at Toowoon Bay and entered the water where the sand meets the island for a snorkel.

The water was a bit weedy to start with a strong current moving over the shallow sections.

As soon as I put my head under the water there were fish zooming over a sand and rock background.

I snorkeled out towards the sup riders on the point first. I didn't get as far as the sup riders as the visibility deteriorated too much. Along the way, I saw fish, pretty coloured rocks and seaweed, stingrays and a small shark.

I backtracked and crossed the narrow channel between the beach and the island. It was hard going as the tide as working strongly against me. I did see lots of fish feeding amongst the seaweed.

I continued onwards close to the rocks and small waves. The tide and waves pushed me in and out but eventually I got to the deeper water and saw a massive blue coloured groper.

I fed the fish sending them into a wild frenzy and went in via the beach.

One unusual event was a large fish that followed me nearly the full length of my snorkel.

I warmed up with a coffee and relax at the kiosk at the surf club over looking the bay and beach.

AUSTRALIA - QUEENSLAND - Great Barrier Reef - october 2003

The Great Barrier Reef  is a big place. We took a cruise out to the reef to snorkel. It was long voyage but it was worth it. The photos don't really show the colour of the reef. It was teeming with fish and brightly coloured coral. Worthwhile doing!!

Indonesia - Bali - Padangbai - Blue Lagoon - 2008

Blue Lagoon is a small narrow cove which is great for snorkeling and relaxing. It is about ten minutes walk from Padangbai.

Walk along the beach street at the north end of Padangbai on the beach side till it divides into two directions. The road to the right leads to the temple and the road to the left lead to Blue Lagoon. Follow the road a short distance and signs will indicate to walk up a set of stairs which led for a short distance through bush to another set of steps which lead down to Blue Lagoon.

Blue Lagoon is a narrow cove with coral and fish close to shore. The sides of the cove are sharp volcanic rock. There is a small white sand beach, which nearly disappears at high tide. On the high ground above the beach are two small restaurants where you can eat and drink, sit on deck chairs, hire snorkel gear and shower.

The best and least damaging way to get into the water is from the northern side of the beach where a small channel between the rocks leads to deeper water. Elsewhere along the beach the water is fairly shallow and entering here can lead to cuts as well as damage the coral.

Warning: currents can be strong on the outer edge of the cove and an incoming tide can bring stingers and rubbish.