Byron Bay
Background:
Julian Rocks is a pair of small islands, surrounded by marine reserve 2.5 kilometers offshore from Byron Bay. According to a story from the Bundjalung people, a jealous husband threw his spear at the canoe of his wife and her lover. The canoe broke in two and sank to the bottom of the ocean. Only the back and the front of the boat stuck out of the water. The islands were named by Captain Cook when he passed through the area in 1770, naming the two main peaks after his nephew and niece, Juan and Julia.
In 1982, after pressure from locals, the area surrounding the rocks was established as a marine reserve, with all fishing and commercial exploitation banned for a 500m range around the rocks. The area is home to large numbers of marine species, including leopard sharks, grey nurse sharks, wobbegong, a variety of nudibranchs. It’s one of about a dozen critical habitats for the grey nurse shark in NSW. Scuba divers identify the site as one of the top sites in Australia for its wide variety of marine life.
[Thanks to Wikipedia for a memory refresh on Byron Bay]
Dive Profile:
Location: Julian Rocks is situated 2.5km (a 5 minute boat ride) offshore of Byron Bay which is it self situated on the northern coast of New South Wales, 2 hours south of Brisbane
Depth: Fringing reef on rocky ridges reaching to 25 meters
Experience level: Beginner to intermediate
Certification Recommendation: Openwater or Equiv.
Other: Because of its proximity to shore, visibility can be poor in summer months (Nov – Feb). Strong surge may also be present on dives.
Wildlife: One of Australia’s premier dive site for macro critters (mantis shrimp, a whole range of nudibranchs and all sorts of crabs). Julian rocks is also a breeding groud for grey nurse sharks. Wobblegong and leopard sharks, eagle and manta rays, dolphins and turtles also make regular appearances.
[...] Byron Bay [...]
Learning from the masters | Kodak's Korner | 5 May 2009[...] Byron Bay [...]
[...] Neil tells me that Byron Bay is one of
Some more great dive photo work by Neil Chan | Too few hours in the day //Jafoca.com | 17 May 2009[...] Neil tells me that Byron Bay is one of the top reviewed dive sites in all of Australia, and the photos prove his point. Neil captured some great photos of somewhat rare creatures including peacock mantis shrimp, cuttlefish, anglerfish, and several nudibranch – go check out these oddities … [...]