Bay of Islands Trip Report – 04 October 2008 – By Ali Perkins

Dolphins were spotted on the boat ride out to dive the Canterbury – by Mike Batey.

It strikes without fail every year. As New Zealand crawls out of winter, the water warms up, triggering an explosion of planktonic growth, the reproduction of small plants and animals that live in open water. The visibility shrinks back to mere metres and the sea takes on a deep green that almost appears unnatural. The plankton bloom usually takes place between September and November and it’s all happening right now!

Some people avoid diving at this time, waiting for the even warmer water of summer and the improved visibility. This is a great shame though, because the plankton bloom turns the water into a seething soup of goodness for fish. This is the signal for many species to spawn and you can expect the reefs to be a hive of activity over the coming months. You’d be crazy to avoid diving at such a time! Low visibility is just a convenient excuse to intensely examine the vibrant colours of wall-encrusting invertebrate life. This is a time to appreciate the small things and you’ll be amazed at what you discover. It’s also a good time to brush up on your diving skills, as everything seems just that little bit more challenging in murky water.

Descending on the wreck of the Canterbury felt like wading through mud, the water a gloopy plankton soup. It was exciting, clearing my ears in freefall, anticipating the moment at which the ship would appear out of the gloom. When it did appear, I looked around confused. It took a few seconds for me to recognise the helicopter hangar. The dim light and green water had altered my perception of a familiar dive site.

It’s always great spotting a Porcupinefish, and even better getting a photo of its head rather than its departing arse! – by Alison Perkins.

I marvelled at the creeping carpet of colour that are the rapidly expanding colonies of purple jewel anemones. Synchonrised schools of shimmery silver and gold koheru darted back and forth. I could find no sign of the juvenile Moon wrasse (Thalassoma lunare) that were discovered on the wreck months ago, a tropical species rarely recorded in New Zealand but carried here in larval form from warmer climates by the East Auckland current. I wasn’t surprised. Like me, they probably froze their arses off this winter!

Motuwheteke Island was our afternoon dive site. I’m still learning how to use my new underwater camera, so I didn’t stray far from the anchor chain, leaving the more adventurous diving to others. Mike and Kathryn decided on a circumnavigation of the island, leaving Dave scrabbling around under rocks for crayfish! Rachel and Stefan were enjoying their first dives in the Bay of Islands.

I crept around boulders, looking for interesting subjects to practise my photography on. There was no shortage of inspiring material. I was drawn to a wall festooned with delicate Blue bell tunicates. A school of Blue maomao swirled past. The luminous eyes of perching Blue-eyed triplefins peered up at me. A Yellow moray, a Porcupinefish, a Clown nudibranch, a Red crayfish and an Octopus all fell under the lens of my camera.

Yellow moray eels look a bit scary with their teeth bared, but they’re actually just breathing – by Alison Perkins.

Utterly satisfied after two great dives, we headed back to the Cowshed. Photographs were viewed and shared. Cameron’s parents, visiting from Australia, joined us and we shared with them our joy of scuba diving. Sadly though, we failed in our endeavours to sign them onto a ‘Discover Scuba’. Had they been a little younger, I’m sure they would have jumped at the chance. And why wouldn’t you? Pushing through the plankton is about the most fun you can have with your pants on!

Check out some more photos from the weekend.

Filed under: Ali Perkins, Diving New Zealand, Trip Reports