Terrigal Haven, New South Wales, April 2006

by Gsvin Scott

Although I am currently an active BSAC Sports Diver it was actually the prospect of a trip to Australia that prompted me to take my initial diver training a couple of years ago. In common with many other entry level UK trainees, my qualifying dives took place in cold, fresh, shallow and rather lifeless inland water so my first ever sea dive at Australia's Terrigal Haven in April 2006 stands out in my memory for a few reasons - not only was it salty but it was warm, colourful, clear and it moved…

Terrigal Haven is a small beach town with a delightful sandy bay about 90 minutes north of Sydney on Australia's Central Coast. It is perhaps not a place that would figure in a lot of visiting divers minds (I guess the Great Barrier Reef is the obvious choice for many), but the Central Coast does offer a string of beaches and beach towns as well as easy access to and from Sydney and up into Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. We were there to visit relatives and, as a result, had a local introduction to Fran and Les, a British couple who have run the Terrigal dive centre since the late '60s.

The centre is small, but perfectly formed, offering all the basics of a shop, gear rental, full courses and boat spaces etc. It is also on the waterfront, next to a little café and with easy parking a few yards away - this is not a busy, tourist packed beach front by any means: the name Haven does it justice and nicely describes the contained, picturesque and quite casual feel about the place.

The daily weather was predictably lovely, but, as luck would have it, a hurricane further north was affecting the sea state and a heavy and lasting swell had ruled out any diving for the first week of our trip. As an outsider I must admit that I had thought the huge rolling waves along the coast were entirely normal but we were quickly advised that conditions were not suitable for a couple of divers fresh from their basic qualification…

Terrigal is quite a sheltered little bay however and as conditions improved, the water calmed and we were assured that the viz would have cleared sufficiently to allow an enjoyable little dive. We explained our inexperience and a simple exploration round the breakwater was agreed. With minimum fuss, we sorted out the good quality rental gear, kitted up (in a well equipped area out of the sun), and walked the 20 yards or so into the water.

Our guide for the dive was Fran and, although she has no doubt dived the Haven hundreds of times, to me this was a significant moment - believe it or not, I was even slightly surprised at just how "salty" the salt water was (although I didn't tell anyone that…). My slight apprehension quickly disappeared as we swam out under the handful of small boats anchored in the shelter of the breakwater and I can clearly remember the thrill as we passed the first anchor line. At that moment, with the sun dancing over the clean golden sand, the taut anchor rope gently swaying, and the first colourful fish in view, I really felt the unique atmosphere that scuba allows.

Though we were told the viz was quite poor by usual standards it was, for us, quite literally a world away from the silty murk of Ellerton lake. There was a fair bit of material suspended in the water - the general debris churned up in the recent swell - but even so I recorded the viz as 12 metres and the cheap throw away camera we had gave us some decent little snaps of our great ocean adventure.

I'm sorry to say I can't name the various fish we saw but they were plentiful, and colourful and a large groper in particular was curious (or well trained) enough to follow us round, no doubt looking for a feed. A small sting ray passed by, spiny urchins littered the rocks and there were (again unidentified I'm afraid) shellfish and other forms of life dotted along the sea floor. A large rusted anchor lying on the rocks added to the atmosphere and one could briefly flirt with images of Cousteau and sunken pirate treasure. There was a remaining swell in the water which was especially noticeable as we explored the rocks. The movement was predictable and smooth however - certainly nothing to worry us, even as inexperienced as we were. The maximum depth we reached was 10 metres and our dive time was 50 minutes. The air temperature was 27 degrees and the water a very pleasant 24.

We made the return journey and exited the water just where we entered - a short walk up the beach to the dive centre where changing facilities and a shower were available. We sat around enjoying a coffee and a chat, settled the bill and, having thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing, had our log books signed and stamped.

Since that first holiday sea dive we have joined a local BSAC club, completed Sports Diver training and are progressing (and simply enjoying ourselves) with regular trips to St Abbs and elsewhere. I would have no hesitation in recommending Terrigal Haven as an ideal beginners dive for anyone fortunate enough to be in the area - a nice easy dive in a great location. Unfortunately for us, our holiday was all too short and we did not manage to dive again. However, I understand that within walking distance of the Haven there are dives ranging from 10 - 40 metres (including Foggy Shark Cave…) and if I am ever lucky enough to get back to Australia I will certainly be visiting Fran and Les and diving at Terrigal again.

Gavin Scott

Terrigal Dive Centre
Website

Return to AUSTRALIA Main Page