Hook Island Dive Camp, Whitsundays - April 2001.
Story by Rob Newman.

Deciding to leave Townsville on Sunday evening rather than during the day turned out to be better than driving to Airlie during the heat of the day. We arrived at Abel Point Marina at 4am and waited for the sun to rise over the emerald water, and then proceeded to load up one Ocean Raft and Ashley's new boat that we were taking with us to Hook. The ocean was flat and so the ride to Maureens Cove was very enjoyable (despite a few baring of cheeks from Ashley's boat - the Big Chop).

Unloading the boat went smoothly, even though the raft left with Jody's sandals - leaving him with only dive booties to wear for the rest of the trip. We all set up camp and then had some breakfast, while some went for an early morning dive.

The water was as usual like turquoise glass - clear and warm, with a huge variety of hard and soft corals, fish and anemones. On our first dive to the right side of the cove we descended to 20m and then swam slowly back towards the beach, ascending as we did so.

Just before descending, something caught my eye and I excitedly pointed out a Hawksbill turtle who was hanging out in the shallows. A good omen for the dive....

As soon as we descended we found three bright orange and white nudibranchs on some hard coral, which was quickly followed by huge Coral Trout, a massive Barramundi Cod and a school of friendly Batfish that followed us for the rest of the dive.

The coral cover was the best I have seen it in two years, with lots of new anemones with their resident anemone-fish. Moving back towards the shore we saw a few corals with their polyps out, which I have never seen during the day before.

The evening meals for the week were fantastic, with groups taking it in turns cooking and washing up, meaning there was plenty of time for backgammon, 500, chess, and a bizarre card game that I was introduced to called "Spoons". The latter game is very loud and incredibly funny.

The trip was definitely made more enjoyable by the addition of Ashley's new boat, which he used to take divers and snorkellers to the outer reef and different bays during the week.

I was lucky enough to be taken to Barbell Island to the south of Hook where we did a drift dive, to Manta Ray Bay for a free dive, and a day at Bait Reef (lots of white-tipped Reef Sharks, Blue Spotted Rays, and Anemones). Everybody on the camp got at least one trip out on the Big Chop - and our thanks again to Ashley for bringing the boat with him (although I am not sure how happy some guests at the Hamilton Resort were!)

For the first time in my experience on Hook the weather was perfect - it only rained for 30 minutes during the whole week, of which I managed to be underwater for. The sun shone for the rest of the time, making it perfect for hanging out on the beach between dives soaking up the peace and solitude (occassionally interupted by happy divers either heading into, or coming out of, the water.

Thanks to everyone for making this another successful Hook Dive Camp - it was a combination of great people, great diving, fantastic cooking, and crazy Norwegians with tripods (DA DA DAAAA!!!). Looking forward to seeing you all there again next lecture recess.