Hello - and welcome to my channel! I'm based on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia. This is where I post my diving videos and other bits and pieces. Enjoy!
I was free diving for scallops off Safety Beach and came across a huge school of these crabs. I spent a good 30mins just watching them. I have dived a fair bit, and this was one of the best experiences I have had in the water.
Yeah, its pretty amazing. They caught me by surprise too. (I almost left my camera in the car that day, thinking, 'ah, it's only Rye Pier, I've done it before...)
Hey, thanks, Colin! This is an excellent video of the pier underwater. I was impressed that you managed to find a seahorse or two. These days I'm in South Africa and too far from the sea, but when I make it back to Australia I'll definitely try to dive the pier again. Cheers, and thank you.
Thanks! I just slowly cruise around with the camera and let the underwater stuff happen! Let me know when you're back in Aus - might even join you under the pier!
they were gone just one week later. They appear at Rye Pier or sometimes Bairgowrie, then go again. This year, they were about one month earlier than usual.
Hi. they usually hang around for about 2 weeks-ish. (this is the first week). You can see them from the pier/snorkelling if the water is clear (and that can be hit & miss). Best way is to check on the day. There are Facebook groups called 'Scuba Dive Melbourne' and 'DiveLine Scuba' called or similar, that have regular updates on the crabs. Good luck! C
Yup. And I'm tipping the rest of the Peninsula car parks will all be Fee based before too long. Greedy council. Good thing we have the dives on video, huh?
Sure. I use 2 x BigBlue 'Black Molly III' AL2600XWP 2600 lumen lights. Got them from Adreno. They're mounted on flexible arms, attached to a camera tray. I'll try and send a photo...
Hi Colin, can you share the directions on how to get to this spot. Last year I followed the steel rods in the sand heading north from the end of the pier. Went what felt like a decent distance but found nothing, then turned around and headed back in. Was I heading the right direction?
Hi Carl. Seems you were heading in the right direction if you followed the steel rods. Compass work is essential, cos the sea grass can be confusing re directions...
Hi Tim. portsea pier always has a few weedies down near the end of the pier. Haven't done Flinders Pier for some time, but I'm hearing good things recently about the weedy numbers there. Cheers - Colin
Thanks so much! Will check it out. How deep are Portsea Pier and Flinder Pier near the end? Do-able with a snorkel & freedive? Enjoyed the videos btw, nice to see the area here underwater!
@@stibba93 Portsea Pier and Flinders are around 4-5 metres at the end. Flinders is probably better for snorkelling for weedies - there are usually more there, and are all along (under) the pier - near the entry points. Low tide might be your best bet, as the water is 1 metre shallower then!
I did my qualifying ocean SCUBA dive not far from there on the 5th April 1960. I was 14 years old, now 77. I’ve been diving under the Mornington pier many times and I also thank you for the memories. My Grandmother lived in Mornington and ran a Habidashery shop down towards the bottom end of Main Street. I used to go there for holidays every year from age 8 and have memories of Mornington that are priceless. Your footage is a bit like a big aquarium really.
Hi Bushman - thanks for the feedback! Is irt the actual music in the vid - or just music in general? Adding the right music is often the hardest part of putting a movie together. So I'm more than happy for any suggestions. (and thanks for watching!) Cheers
Thats awesome, I didn't realise you filmed basically everything throughout the day including the intervals between dives etc. I look forward to seeing the remaining videos from the trip.
Thanks Ian! I did a bit of research before I left. There are a few large dive boats operating daily from Cairns. All offering similar features - dives, snorkeling, lunch, etc. For mine, I wanted a more dive oriented than snorkeling. I chose ProDive Cairns' SilverSwift, which offered 3 dives (not just two!) Took my own gear - but their hire gear was pretty good! The day ran like clockwork. Diving with similar skill/experienced divers. (big tick!). Divers were in the water first, so hardly saw the snorkelers or their noodles! Three dives in the same vicinity, but all different terrain. I would use ProDive again. Bit long winded, sorry!
