Advice on W. Australia

[Corky]

Hello - I am hoping to visit Western Australia next year and would like some advice on where to stay and dive. Planning a week around Perth, then will spend some time in the Margeret River wine district then up to Ningaloo Reef for diving and relaxation. I would imagine the Ningaloo Reef covers a large area so need to know the best towns for chillin and dive accessibility. Any advice appreciated.
Cheers
Neil

[jimbo]

G'day Neil,

Margaret River is pretty cool, if you can get right down south that's lovely to look at too. Whilst you're in the area, visit Dunsborough, you can dive HMAS SWAN, a prepared wreck whilst your there. You can also do Busselton Jetty which has a fair bit of life on it, and you get to do a giant stride about 4m into the drink - cool. Night dives on Busso are prob the best...

I worked a bit for Bay dive - www.baydive.com - Dan's a cool bloke and if you're there for a bit he'll take you round some of the cooler bits of the Swan.

Once you've got up to the Ningaloo area, you've got two choices, Exmouth or Coral Bay. I didn't stay in Coral Bay, it's tiny and there's not a whole lot of stuff to do. Exmouth is a big town and has at least 3 dive shops. Whilst you're up there, do a whale shark trip if it's the right time of the year and definitely dive the Navy Pier - awesome diving...

[EDIT] Totally forgot about Rottnest Island - did some cool shallow stuff of there too.

If you want anything more specific, pm me.

Jimbo

[Phoenix]

Does anyone know what water temp you can expect around Perth in October? We've just booked to go over on a recce for a possible family move so I'd like to get some diving in if possible, just need to know what gear to take.

Ian

[MATTBIN]

5mm semi should do it. Cant recall the temp but I body boarded over there a few years ago in the same period. Mate's going over on 28th Oct and he's been quoted 24/25 Ningaloo but that's in the Tropical waterflow and they reckon 3mm.

Rgds
Matt

[Phoenix]

Originally Posted by MATTBIN

5mm semi should do it. Cant recall the temp but I body boarded over there a few years ago in the same period. Mate's going over on 28th Oct and he's been quoted 24/25 Ningaloo but that's in the Tropical waterflow and they reckon 3mm.

Rgds
Matt

Thanks Matt,

I wear 5mm semi most of the time, even in 30C! I notice they sell dry suits in Perth dive shops hence my question. I need to get one for next year anyway but not keen on having is sit around for 10 months unused.

Ian

[Mr T.]

Aye,

Steer clear of the Nudist Beach near Campbell Barracks at Swanbourne!

[Janos]

I was fine in a 5mm wetsuit this May. According to my logbbok the water termperature was 21 degrees. I generally don't feel the cold though.

Laters,
Janos