Tonga Island & Separation
26 & 27 April 2003
Leaving Nelson at 9am for a dive trip is my kind of dive trip. We met up at Kaiterteri at 10.15 after picking up Ross Carters boat from the Orchard. It was great to see some new divers on this trip, Greg, Daniel, Jan and Esme, and also accompanied by the old faithfuls, Paul N, John, Rick, Alistair and myself.
A beautiful crisp morning, we set off for our first dive in Tonga Island. The first dive in the marine reserve. A great dive with heaps of huge crays (what an awesome sight). Good fish life and even a intrigued seal. After about 50 mins I finally managed to get Daniel to come up. Its good to see the locals keeping a good eye on who is out and about in the reserve, as we were checked by DOC and also the local kayak guides, and water taxis making sure we were well aware of the rules. A break for lunch then off to Separation Point for the next dive where we could actually take some crays. But on this occasion the crays had other ideas and managed to stay well back in their holes so once again this was just a scenic dive. Some great country was covered, although very barren.
A great day out finished by a beer at the Mapua Tavern, a big thanks to Rick and Ross for the use of their boats.
Monique
* * * * * *
Meeting at 8am Sunday morning Bob, Nigel, Daniel and myself set off from Kaiteriteri in very good weather conditions for an adventure along the Abel Tasman National Park coastline. Our first stop was Tonga Island too see what really big crayfish should look like. Bob and Nigel were in the water first. While they were down a friendly local kayaker joined us to inquire as to the type of sea life below. Bob and Nigel were soon back with us and telling us of large cod and huge crayfish. Bob said he saw one giant quite happily sitting out in the open, great to be living in the reserve.
Daniel and myself hit the water next, and although we didn't see the same monster Bob had spied there were a lot of big granddaddy crays under the rocks.
Saying hooray to the friendly kayaker we motored on up to Separation Point to attempt catch some of these beauties. Bob and Nigel were first in again and after thirty minutes search returned with two keepers. It turned out to be the same situation as John and crew struck on Saturday……………the crays were all tucked away well under the rocks with plenty of escape routes.
Daniel and I had a go south of the point and returned with the same verdict, arms not long enough. But the crays we did see tucked underneath those rocks were all very good sizes.
Motoring south we had a quick look at Bark Bay reef. No sign of bugs here, so we carried on further south and had a dive just past The Anchorage. This was more encouraging and a couple more keepers were landed after all four of us had covered the area.
The fishing was pretty dismal as I managed to lose three rigs in the space of twenty minutes. There were a few good strikes but sadly no fish were brought home.
Back at Kaiteriteri, cleaned up the boat a bit, a cherio to Daniel, Bob, Nigel and myself headed home. Good to see new members out on the club trips
A gratifying trip to "see" that the crayfish are around in good numbers. Most probably due to their safe habitat. We will be back!
Happy and safe diving.
Cheers. Angus
Leaving Nelson at 9am for a dive trip is my kind of dive trip. We met up at Kaiterteri at 10.15 after picking up Ross Carters boat from the Orchard. It was great to see some new divers on this trip, Greg, Daniel, Jan and Esme, and also accompanied by the old faithfuls, Paul N, John, Rick, Alistair and myself.
A beautiful crisp morning, we set off for our first dive in Tonga Island. The first dive in the marine reserve. A great dive with heaps of huge crays (what an awesome sight). Good fish life and even a intrigued seal. After about 50 mins I finally managed to get Daniel to come up. Its good to see the locals keeping a good eye on who is out and about in the reserve, as we were checked by DOC and also the local kayak guides, and water taxis making sure we were well aware of the rules. A break for lunch then off to Separation Point for the next dive where we could actually take some crays. But on this occasion the crays had other ideas and managed to stay well back in their holes so once again this was just a scenic dive. Some great country was covered, although very barren.
A great day out finished by a beer at the Mapua Tavern, a big thanks to Rick and Ross for the use of their boats.
Monique
* * * * * *
Meeting at 8am Sunday morning Bob, Nigel, Daniel and myself set off from Kaiteriteri in very good weather conditions for an adventure along the Abel Tasman National Park coastline. Our first stop was Tonga Island too see what really big crayfish should look like. Bob and Nigel were in the water first. While they were down a friendly local kayaker joined us to inquire as to the type of sea life below. Bob and Nigel were soon back with us and telling us of large cod and huge crayfish. Bob said he saw one giant quite happily sitting out in the open, great to be living in the reserve.
Daniel and myself hit the water next, and although we didn't see the same monster Bob had spied there were a lot of big granddaddy crays under the rocks.
Saying hooray to the friendly kayaker we motored on up to Separation Point to attempt catch some of these beauties. Bob and Nigel were first in again and after thirty minutes search returned with two keepers. It turned out to be the same situation as John and crew struck on Saturday……………the crays were all tucked away well under the rocks with plenty of escape routes.
Daniel and I had a go south of the point and returned with the same verdict, arms not long enough. But the crays we did see tucked underneath those rocks were all very good sizes.
Motoring south we had a quick look at Bark Bay reef. No sign of bugs here, so we carried on further south and had a dive just past The Anchorage. This was more encouraging and a couple more keepers were landed after all four of us had covered the area.
The fishing was pretty dismal as I managed to lose three rigs in the space of twenty minutes. There were a few good strikes but sadly no fish were brought home.
Back at Kaiteriteri, cleaned up the boat a bit, a cherio to Daniel, Bob, Nigel and myself headed home. Good to see new members out on the club trips
A gratifying trip to "see" that the crayfish are around in good numbers. Most probably due to their safe habitat. We will be back!
Happy and safe diving.
Cheers. Angus
