Reef Report for April

Diver at Opal Reef

April was an experience for Great Barrier Reef enthusiasts! We experienced a lot of wind and a fair amount of rain here in the Cairns/Port Douglas region - journeys out to the reef were largely a rock and roll experience.  However thanks to all that rain at Christmas and again in March, we have found that the reef temperature in Tropical North Queensland has remained a degree and a half lower than usual which means less algae than usual and, as a result, better visibility than is usual for this time of the year. We are experiencing regular days of at least 15 metre visibility, which means great diving!  So it has been worth the rock and roll journey to get to see the good stuff!

Some of the most interesting juveniles have been amusing us this month at Agincourt Reef, Sweetlips of all types are in abundance and squirming their way round the reef in their own inimitable way. Many a juvenile spotted Sweetlips has caused a diver to giggle, causing their mask to flood!!

We are pleased to see that the large female white tipped reef shark at Whaler in Agincourt Reef is still in the area well after the birth of her young.  So we decided to name her “Sonia”.  She is doing well and it is great to see her in close proximity to her young. “Daisy” is still a resident at Whaler and is (as usual) much more approachable than “Sonia”, having fun with divers and having her picture taken seems to be a prime objective for her when we take the time to visit.

The water temperature is currently 25 degrees and the stinger season is drawing to an end heralding in the Dry/Busy season, bringing with it the return of old friends and the chance to meet new visitors and friends.