The week started with a bit of a breeze, so we decided on a casual start and arrived south of Oculina Point at lunchtime. A great scenic dive with loads of boalders, cracks and a shallow arch - perfect to get back into the swing of things. We then moved over a few bays and anchored in Calypso Bay for a dive and the evening. A few Stingrays in the sand and the usual Morays and Nudibranchs along the cliff face.

Next morning a short hop over onto Magic Wall seemed like the place to be for a couple of morning dives. A current ensured plenty of action in the channel and along Magic Wall. Stingrays in the sand, nudibranchs on the wall and Snapper in the shallows. Up to Middle Arch for the afternoon and the hunt for the Yellow Banded Perch - it just sat there for Mary to take some photos (she always finds her man/fish!). Overnioght in Rikoriko and a very short night dive, with too much lift and plenty of surge under the water.

Morning in Rikoriko and the world outside looked windy, so an early dive in and out of the cave. Whale bones in the sand and Coral Shrimp in the cracks on the wall. We ventured out into the wind and found some shelter at Butterfish bay - some great slabs descend to 30m from the surface and make quite a sight. More Stingrays cruised along the sandline and the shallow bay had plenty of Snapper and some friendly Green Wrasse. On the wall a strange Tambja sat flapping in the breeze - was it a Verco or a blue Marossa?? The day finished in the Gardens and a rummage around the Kelp with the Sandaggers.

Up at Northern Arch next morning there was a fair surge running through the archway, so most of the divers circled Anne's Rock with plenty of Morays and Trevally around. The Canyons had a dozen Stingrays hanging in the current down near the sand and the wall was covered with schooling Blue Maomao. Back at Middle Arch Mary took the guys down to the Perch and they all hung back to let each other 'Take the Shot!' -Not sure if anyone did though!!

With little wind we sat on Landing Bay Pinnacle for the morning. Loads of fish schooling near the surface and Longfin Boarfish in the deep. In one of the many cracks a big Snapper was attacking a Black Urchin - chomping on the spines. The Snapper took off, but a Pigfish and a Yellow Moray carried on the good work. The afternoon and evening was spent in the Gardens, where we had a great view of the BIG swell that was rolling in from the storm out to the east.

Next morning the world was a different place and we started at Serpent Rock - a bit of current for the huge Snapper to hang out in. The rest of the day was spent at a calm Northern Arch. Trevally, Blue Maomao, Snapper and Blue Moki packed the archway and a Bronzie paid a visit in the deeps. On the wall a tiny Gem (about fingernail size) made its way in the undergrowth. Pink Maomao schooled toward the point and some Stingrays flew by below.

The week ended close to where it began, at Blue Maomao Arch. Kingies in the current, Blue Maomao in the Arch and Stingrays in the sand - who needs more!? Another seven days out at The Poor Knights was a great adventure - even with the adverse weather. Next years trip is already booked for mid April - bring it on!!