Jack Evans Boat Harbour, Tweed Heads 25/11/12

Dive Site Details
Location: Jack Evans Boat Harbour, Tweed Heads
Dive Company:
Time: 7:00am
Max Depth: Katrina 8.3m / Matt 7m
Dive Time: Katrina 64min / Matt 33min
Temp: Surface 24deg / Bottom 23deg
Vis: 6m

Jack Evans Boat Harbour

Description:
The Jack Evans Boat Harbour is situated just inside the mouth of the Tweed River on the north bank. There are two popular entry / exit locations along Coral Street. There is a set of well worn steps at the entrance to the harbour area or a beach entry further towards the Marine Rescue building. There is suitable parking at both locations with "The Steps" entry being the shortest haul.

Stinging Hydroid

Things to watch out for: Entry at the steps can be slippery, a high tide makes things easier. The tide can change quickly and can swirl around the harbour, dropping visibility. The bottom has many white feather like stinging plants called Stinging Hydroids, a bare skin touch will be itchy for a week. Its a popular fishing spot so careful of tackle and knives

Under the Pier

Our Dive:

Entry was via "The Steps" and direction was back into the harbour under the short pier. The concrete columns provided some great photo shots and were teaming with underwater life. We were quite surprised to come across an old toilet so some comical photos were a must. There is nothing quite like being surrounded by a massive school of bait fish, quite spectacular how they all move as one. Katrina used the opportunity to play with some settings on her Olympus T8010 dive camera within its housing and got some really clear shots. We had a surface interval after 25 minutes for a chat about what we saw and a short brief on the next part of the dive. Matt had some trouble pressurizing his sinuses on the second decent so under direction of our instructor and dive buddy Big Al he remained at a comfortable depth for the rest of his dive. After 33 minutes we headed back to "The Steps" as being a beginner diver and with slight sinus discomfort Matt hopped out.

Common Octopus

Katrina continued on with instructor Big Al along the north rock wall towards the beach entrance and spotted three common octopuses. They came across an old set of scales which provided some great close up photos of a small group of Strippies. Katrina was getting used to her camera now and produced some wonderful wide seascape shots.