The beginning of September is seen as the start of Springtime and The Poor Knights are certainly getting in on the action.

The two previous weekends have had some great weather and fantastic sights. The first one had dolphins joining us on the crossing for a play. The second weekend saw us decide on South Harbour for the first dive as the weather was turning Southerly and would blow out the Soiuth for the rest of the trip. The decision was justified as the divers were enetering their first dive - a pod of dolphins were cruising just off the bow. Karl decended quick sharp and had a magical encouter with the pod as it cruised past him underwater! Ali too managed a quick session with the pod, while Nicole donned her snorkel gear and joined the dolphins as they played up and down the channel.

Hope Point and Hideaway Bay were the first two sights on the first trip, with a few seals around the rocks at Hideaway Bay. The night dives were at Rikoriko and Blue Maomao Arch - both providing some spectacular nudibranchs to the divers braving the cold night air! Kent taking a great photo of a Cratena Lineata.

Northern Arch and Cream Gardens were perfect morning dives - although no sharks on show, but great walls and plenty of fish in the Archway. Hydroids on the wall were vibrant and the Blue Bell Tunicates are starting to populate the darker overhangs - the next few weeks should see an explosion of Blue over the whole of the Islands. Barren Arch and Tie-Dye Arch rounded off the first weekend, while the three day trip went on to Baren Arch and Matt's Crack. The corner at the entrance seemed full of encrusting life up in the shallows -  a far cry from the Kina Barren that greeted me on my first dive there 5 years ago.

The 3 day trip ended with another night dive in Rikoriko, with more Nudibranchs, Crabs, Shrimp and Stuff on show and then two long dives at Northern Arch and outside Rikoriko Cave as the Southerly continued. At Northern Arch Ali managed to spend 30 minutes in one spot taking shots of one set of Hydroids, while the rest of the group went around the point and met up with the Snapper, Pink Maomao and Demoiselle hanging out there. The entrance to Rikoriko had a few Carpet Sharks cruising around the rocks. Over in Brady's Corner the dolphins were still playing in the shallows and the seals at Pancake Rocks were jumping on and off the rocks.

Winter has gone, Spring is here and the Life is Wild!!