SCUBA2 TRIP TO THE ROWLEY SHOALS IN OCT-NOV 2009
The Rowley Shoals are some of the most pristine coral reefs in the world with a wonderfully balanced ecology, and they are in Western Australia! The trip is a while away but we need to book now if we want to hire the whole boat, do the kind of diving we want and enjoy each others company. Odyssey takes 20 divers and is very comfortable. Planning well ahead allows us to reserve the time, get qualified properly and save the finances. This is a lovely opportunity – not to be missed.
The Plan
Seven days and eight nights on Odyssey. Depart Broome pm Thursday 29th Oct 2009, arriving at the Rowley Shoals on the morning of 30th. Diving 30, 31 Oct, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Nov. Departing Rowley Shoals pm 5th Nov, returning to Broome am of Thursday 6th November.
The Cost
$3339 each ex Broome. This includes luxury live-aboard accommodation, including all food (excellent, healthy) and soft-drinks (alcohol extra or BYO), tanks, all air fills, weights and weight-belts. Bring the rest of your gear and of course a camera. Nitrox is extra. You will need to get yourself up to Broome and back (options are to drive or fly – cheap flights available to early birds or use up frequent flyer points).
The Diving
The Rowley Shoals comprise three extensive seamounts on the edge of the Australian continental shelf, west of Broome. They are surrounded by very deep water and are awash at high tide. They provide some of the most spectacular coral-, wall- and drift-diving that Australia has to offer, with a well-balanced ecology, which is very rare now!
A live-aboard, like Odyssey, provides an excellent platform and enables us to travel in comfort and to take full advantage of this pristine, remote location with intensive diving (up to 5 dives per day). If you have travelled so far to such a remote place, this number of daily dives is entirely justified and quite feasible and safe with Nitrox. You can, of course dive with air - up to you!
My logbook for that time of the year shows water temps of 24-27ºC with most about 26ºC. Shortie 3 mm wet-suit with two weights is just fine! Visibilities in Oct ‘07 were 25-40 m on the outer walls and 15-20 m in the lagoons. Divers should be qualified to Advanced preferably with Nitrox.
My pics from the Rowley Shoals are on the Scuba2 website at:
http://www.scuba2.asn.au/_images/_ian/_rowleyshoals/INDEX.HTM
Information on the vessel is at:
http://www.kimberleycharters.com.au/default_content.asp?documentid=25
To book and pay
Bookings are on a first come, first served basis. To book, a deposit of $1095 per diver is required, paid to Scuba2 to secure your place. Full payment of balance $2244 each (total paid $3339) will be required two months prior to departure in August 2009. The deposits are not refundable but you may sell your reservation to someone else. Email the trip organizer, Ian (webmaster@scuba2.asn.au) if you want on or call 9245 4129 (H) if you have any questions.
SHARKS AND HOMEWORK
We can expect to see sharks at the Rowleys – a consequence of a balanced ecology. It’s good to get to know the ones you are most likely to see and understand something of their behaviour, habitat and biology. Here are a few Wikipedia links you might find helpful. I’ve tried to indicate where they might occur. Often the threat factor is over-stated but all sharks should command respect.
Whitetip Reef Shark. Common; often found ‘sleeping’ on the sand or under rocks during the day but become more bold at night. Never a problem.
Grey Reef Shark. Relatively common, generally seen on the outside of the reef and where currents are strong. Particularly handsome shark and magnificent photo subject if you can get close enough, which is difficult. Generally shy, except when there is food around. Can be territorial.
Tawney Nurse Shark. Moderately rare and shy; I think I’ve seen them fleetingly in gullies. No problem.
Zebra or Leopard Shark. Relatively rare – I’ve seen two. Found ‘sleeping’ on the sand during the day. A single diver can gradually approach within a metre or two – good for pics – but easily scared off by a mob of divers. No problem!
Silvertip Shark. A deepwater shark, generally seen below 30 m on steep drop-offs in the distance or in the deep water between the seamounts. I’ve seen them on both trips but only because I was looking for them. Very handsome, muscular, excitable and swift but can be territorial.
Tiger shark. These are relatively rare but do come into the edges of the lagoons looking for turtles. Small ones are OK. A very confident shark. I have seen only one at the Rowleys – no problem.
Oceanic Whitetip. They have been reported extremely rarely and seen in the distance only. A deepwater shark but one to take seriously. I’ve never seen one, but would like to - from a distance.
Last Update:
Sunday, 5/07/2009
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