Sunday 31^st August

No luck with Manta ray sightings again this morning but we had a lovely snorkel before our final lunch on board. We saw a turtle and a blue spotted ray and Iain was the only one to see a shark but the water was calm and clear and the visibility good. I think we are at last getting the hang of using the fins!

We had a short two hour drive up the coast to Exmouth where we stay tonight – in converted officers quarters on a US Navy station of all places – now self catering units for holiday makers. Had our first self cooked barbi as well as good internet access so I can update the blog.

Saturday 30^th August

We had an early snorkel this morning at7.45am (as we had to get off with the tide) where we had our first shark sightings – white tipped reef sharks. One came circling quite close to me and I did wonder whether I should be worried or not! Iain saw turtles up close and a couple of octopi as well.

We then made passage through ‘Black Rock’ passage to the outer side of the reef where we had several good whale sightings before stopping to let Matt and Shane off to have a dive. There was quite a swell on and after lunch and the obligatory food coma we had another snorkel that didn’t last very long in my case. I must have caught some hair in my goggles as they leaked a bit and I couldn’t clear them, so I hailed the ‘snorkel taxi’ and came aboard. I didn’t miss much though as the choppiness meant visibility was poor.

We carried on southwards into Bateman Bay and went manta ray watching but without success, so we are trying that again tomorrow morning.

Friday 29^th August

Had an interesting shore trip this morning to a derelict whaling station that was active until the early 1950s (disposed of 4,000+ whales between 1913-1916 alone). It was very hot but I dipped my shirt in the sea at the start of the walk so I was okay; but it was still lovely to swim in the sea afterwards. We then went after lunch to snorkel off the wreck of the Finn and an old light house which was rather good. Saw dolphins, turtles and a large ray from the boat as we were travelling as well. After a while travelling we came to the ‘Green Mile’ where there is a large area of sea grasses where turtles tend to graze. We didn’t fancy putting on cold, wet wetsuits again but the others went for another snorkel. We saw plenty of turtles from the boat anyway. We continued on our way and made anchor near the ‘Falls’ again tonight ready for the morning’s snorkel.

Thursday 28^th August

Today we had a snorkel in the morning from the dinghy in a spot Gary told us is called Hole Mole where there are swim throughs (Iain and I didn’t attempt these!) and lots of brilliant snorkelling. I watched a ray burrowing into the sand, swam alongside a turtle and saw loads of different brightly coloured fish. After travelling for an hour or two further north and encountering several friendly pods of dolphins we had lunch and the compulsory ‘food coma’ followed by a walk up the sand dunes on the nearby empty shoreline. A very beautiful white sandy bay with a beautiful blue sea – a classic scene. Lots of different tracks were visible in the sand – snake, centipede and possibly fox or feral cat amongst others. We then took the dinghy a mile out to where the waves break over the reef and then pour over a natural shelf before funnelling through a shallow area of sand and coral.  This was a wonderful snorkelling spot – the best yet I think - for variety of fish and corals. Cath  and a couple of the others saw a large shark which was apparently not interested in eating them for dinner, thankfully!

Wednesday 27^th August

We are into our third day of our Ningaloo reef trip already, in a spacious catarmaran with six guests and three crew. There was quite a swell although it is much calmer today. We had a snorkel before the sun went down on our first day and Iain and I faced the challenge of the flippers. Having always snorkelled using breast stroke we now have to unlearn that and kick with our legs. It sounds easy but I am having some difficulty making much headway so I don’t think I have the knack yet. We had a snorkel twice yesterday so hopefully I’ll get a bit better. We saw loads of different fishes, a ray or two and some turtles. Cath our cook is preparing lovely meals for us and between the fresh air, the food and the snorkelling we are all in bed for 10pm! We had a new experience this evening when our ship mates introduced us to the Tim Tam explosion – sucking a hot drink through a chocolate biscuit until it all dissolves in a gooey mass – hopefully in your mouth!