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The end of the
year, during late November and
December, brings some amazing
aggregations of reef animals
together. If you're into sex on the
reef then this is the time! Coral
spawning is by now a famous
attraction and interest for divers
and to experience the coral spawning
is a unique diving event. This is
not as predictable or reliable a
mass event as is generally thought -
however at the times predicted for
the Undersea Explorer trips you will
have the best chance to experience
the spawning of many of the
different reef fish and
invertebrates as well as the corals.
Because we react to our observations
in the weeks prior to this trip we
will be setting the trip itinerary
close to the date and during the
actual trip. This gives us the best
chance of finding the most active
reef spawning areas and daytime
action of feeding animals. There
will be many night dives in shallow
(5-8m deep) reef garden areas
especially between 7-11pm which is
the most active spawning time. These
night dives will probably be
conducted at the same site each
night to provide the opportunity to
best see the variation in spawning
species over different nights.
Sample
Itinerary (will
change definitely to suit the
situation)
Day 1 -
Board Undersea Explorer 5.00pm and
depart Port Douglas early evening
after skipper and biologist
briefings.
Day 2 - Arrive at Pixie
Pinnacle, a great dive with
incredible diversity of invertebrate
life - nudibranchs, mantis shrimp,
anemones, gorgonian fans as well as
fish life including lionfish,
pipefish and schools of giant
trevally. Dive Lighthouse bommie
with resident sea-snakes, turtles
and octopus. Off to No-Name Reef to
select a site in the early afternoon
to get familiar with the area and to
map out the site for night spawning
dives. Night dives occur between 7pm
and 11pm - a team effort to get the
most spawning observations possible.
No-Name Reef has an incredibly
diverse assemblage of coral species,
ideal for spawning studies. It is
also a fabulous dive site and great
venue to base spawning dives
throughout the night.
There will be a series of
presentations to introduce divers to
corals and spawning and in
particular what to look for and how
to record observations. Special
briefings will also be given on
photographic techniques for useful
spawning images.
Day 3
- Dive the world famous Cod
Hole then on to Eagle Rock before
heading back to No-Name Reef coral
gardens for more night spawning
searches.
Day 4 -
Search for feeding action in the
reef channels to the north - Yonge
and Day Reefs. Dive the channels and
steep reef walls where weather
allows and search for current slicks
with concentrated plankton where
aggregations of feeding marine life
occur. Back to No-Name Reef area for
another night of spawning dives.
Day 5 -
Dive around Hicks Reef and Jewel
Reef area, again searching for manta
rays and whale sharks occasionally
sighted feeding in the current
slicks. Back to No-Name Reef area
for another night of spawning dives.
Day 6 -
Dive south Ribbon #5 and Ribbon #3
and Steve's Bommie. Search for
feeding action in the water with top
deck observers keeping watch
throughout the day. Night dive to
continue spawning observations.
Day 7 -
Dive Agincourt Reef area for
2 dives in the morning then steam to
Port Douglas - arriving
approximately 5.00pm
Dives are selected to suit the
weather and seasonal marine
highlights. The itinerary is
flexible and may be adjusted. Travel
insurance is recommended. |
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