We always try to stop by Lady Musgrave in the Southern Reef after Hervey Bay. With a small weather window beckoning we found ourselves in an unexpected rather wild ride to get there.
A few too many waves found themselves swamping our cockpit on this trip! No lunch on the way either as we had our bums firmly planted on the fibreglass. 18 knots in the Lady Musgrave lagoon seemed like a doddle after our wild ride to get there.
We had two days of calm conditions (that was the plan), no rain (which neighbouring locations received) and my first snorkel for the season. Yay!!
This a screen grab of our location in the Lady Musgrave lagoon from our Anchor Watch app. We always set our anchor using this app. Our boat’s tracking will show and it’s comforting to know if we move and unexpectedly drag, particularly overnight, we will be alerted by an alarm if we track outside a set radius.
So what’s odd about this particular anchor set? It looks like we didn’t turn it off when we left Pancake Creek. Hmmm! Who’s job was that??!!
You can see our tracking through the LM entrance right up to our lagoon anchor spot. We certainly didn’t hear the alarm. It must have given up after screaming over the crashing wave noise for maybe four hours. Oops.
After the destruction we all witnessed in the Southern Reef last season, after the bleaching, I was heartened to see there didn’t appear to be any further decline. There was certainly damaged coral and evidence of the bleaching but there was abundant fish life and the turtle activity was so much fun. I spotted two unwelcome Crown of Thorns, numerous orange/red Gorgonians (Sea Fans) which were quite striking and check out the Moray Eel getting attended to by the Cleaner Fish. It certainly startled me and I think, me, it. It shot off at quite a pace.
This little cutie (a juvenile Yellow Boxfish) kept me entertained. Boxfish seem to enjoy being followed. They often stop, look at me, turn, swim away, then stop and look again. It’s like they are daring me to keep following. This one is even blowing me a kiss! It’s tricky getting a clear photo because they are very small and quite quick. I was pleased with these snaps.
I had two snorkels and I was lucky enough to get several swims with turtles, Green Turtles and a Hawksbill Turtle. They certainly didn’t mind me. Buzzing around with the turtles kept me warm too. The water was COLD.
I took several photos … try this slideshow …
Here’s a short video of one of my swims with a turtle, along with a selfie … crazy hair Ava would say!! 🙂
We left Lady Musgrave in strong winds yet again (24 knots) so it was a very quick sail to Gladstone, where we dropped by to visit our friends on Anui. We are now at the Keppel Bay Marina sorting a few engine issues before we head north to the Whitsundays.
Great post, Amanda, loved the Moray Eel, the bumbling Yellow Boxfish and the Gorgonian Fans…. and the selfie!
In a state of withdrawal here while we are stuck in front of the Gladstone slipway. The GBR and the Swain Reefs are still out of reach for a few more weeks!
Yes, feel your pain Anui! Hopefully some action next week. I always get startled by moray eels. Just catch you off guard especially when their eye’s on you with their mouth open. However, I suspect we are the scarier ones.
Moray eels do look a bit daunting but you can get quite close to them and their open mouth isn’t a sign of aggression… they are breathing. Still, I wouldn’t tickle their chin! Love your shot of it slithering away!
Great Photos Amanda,
We missed you at Gladstone……we left yesterday after catching up with Zofia for a few days. We are now sitting out the winds in Barkers Creek before heading to The Keppels. W will most likely cross paths Sooner or later.
Juliana and Hugh MV Jake
Ahh … yes we were only there for two nights. Good to hear from you. Now at Keppel Bay Marina sorting a few things. Will keep a look out for Jake! And Zofia.
Gorgeous photos and it still feels chilly so good on you for getting snorkelling and getting these amazing photos. Just wondered if you reported the crown of thorns – trying to remember who I reported them too last time I saw them and had photos and location.
Wishing you smooth sailing on the Bossa ⛵️
We had a low tide in the middle of the day & a particularly low one so I did have perfect conditions. It was very cold but I think the first snorkel always is! Hope you get some reef weather on your way up. Re reporting the COTs I’m sure it would be Eye On The Reef. My photos don’t have an exact location so tricky to describe the location but I’ll look in to that.
Great post Amanda, your photos are excellent and great to see. Thanks for sending through. Safe travels see you somewhere north ⛵️
Thankyou Jeanette. Catch you somewhere I’m sure.
I now understand why they are called box fish. Wonderfull photos.
Ha … yes, the shape. They change colour as they get older. The bright yellow juvenile ones are the cuties.
Photos are stunning Amanda. Good on you braving the wild trip and cold water. Stay safe.
Hello Jan! Good to hear from you. LM seems so long ago. In Townsville now.