* Don't forget to check out our Photo Gallery for our new local 'snaps' from our last few dives !.

Dive News

The neap tides in July, didn't fall on the weekends, so not alot of diving was done in July - this was unfortunate because there was some very clear water around from all accounts.  A few intrepid divers decided to try a shore dive or two around Nightcliff and East Point and had a great dive.  Quite a new experience as we don't do many shore dives around Darwin.

We have had some excellent dives on the Cyclone Tracy wreck of the "Booya", though.  The Permit system is now in place and we have our Permit to conduct dives on this great wreck.  The fish life on the "Booya" is amazing with a huge resident Groper and an Estaurine Cod that is almost as big!  We also spotted a large "Bluebone" Tusk Fish intent on ripping the soft coral off the wreck so he could get at the hard coral underneath.  We have also done a couple of night dives on the "Booya" which proved exciting as there are lots of large Decorator Crabs lurking on the hull - invisible by day, but very active at night.

Another of our interesting wrecks - the C47 Dakota - has been a favourite the last couple of months.  It is very disappointing to find though, that some dive boats have not been respecting the historical site as we would wish and have taken quite a few artifacts from the wreck site.  They have also been anchoring on the wreck itself and have damaged the magnificent intact propeller.  A mooring buoy has been provided for dive boats to moor on so that damage doesn't occur to the fragile aluminium frame, and it is very disappointing that some dive boats are not using this mooring buoy.  If everyone respects these dive sites and does everything to minimise any impact, then we will all be able to enjoy them for many years to come, but it only takes one diver to disregard the Dept. of Heritage's conditions and we all risk losing access to dive sites like the C47 and the "Booya".

We would really like to impress on ALL divers, that it is important to abide by the "rules" - that way we will all get to enjoy our unique wreck dives that we are so proud of !

August and September are looking good for diving as the Dry season is well and truly here, giving us very clear water on the neap tides.  Unfortunately, the Dry also means "cold water" ...... cold for Darwinites is 25 deg C, but that is definitely cool enough to need at 3mm wetsuit.