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DRIVING AT EXMOUTH NAVAL JETTY by Andrew Falconer

 

With overseas travel off limits due to Covid-19 and as part of a wider trip up north to escape the south west winter weather where we live, I booked a dive on the Navy Jetty at Exmouth, with Ningaloo Dive www.diveningaloo.com.au
The Exmouth Navy Jetty is rated as one of the best fish dives in Australia, if not the world, and is a function of the Close by rich waters of the Ningaloo Reef Marine Park, and a strict exclusion zone around the jetty and surrounding waters that was established over 50 years ago.
The jetty was built in 1964 to enable diesel fuel and supplies to be delivered to a US navy communications base that was set up nearby, which enabled radio communication with submarines due to the very low frequency waves transmitted and received from an array of 13 masts stead out across several square kilometres. The base was handed over to the Australian Defence Force in 1999 and is still in operation.
Because of its military use, diving is only permitted by one licensee and under strict protocols. All divers must have photo ID, and correctly list their names and addresses for possible inspection by the Australian Federal Police. Tours are limited to 20 persons at a time and diving can only take place at the change of tides due to strong currents. We watched 3 different videos on the history, regulations and diving plan prior to arrival. On the day I dived, this was mid-afternoon.
Diving was by giant stride entry from an elevated platform at the end of the jetty, one of the highest entries I have ever made. The group of divers were split into pairs, based on experience, and we were all allowed to self-guide.
The water temperature was a surprisingly cool 19 degrees, so I was glad of my hired full-length wetsuit and hood. Visibility was variable between 5 and 10 metres, maximum depth 13 metres, and maximum dive time 60 minutes.
As expected there were plenty of fish to see, including big schools of trevally higher up,
some big grouper, a grey nurse shark, some white tip sharks, and yellow sea snakes.


Schooling fish around the jetty

Grey nurse shark near the bottom

Yellow sea snake swimming around

An inquisitive grouper checking me out

White tipped shark resting on the bottom

 

 

 

 

All up, the Exmouth Navy Jetty never fails to impress in terms of quantity, variety and size of fish life on display. In addition to the jetty, Ningaloo Reef, the Murion Islands, and in season whale sharks and humpback whales offer plenty of other opportunities for diving / snorkelling.
Not a cheap dive (well this is Australia) at $150 plus $50 entry fee, although this did include hire of equipment.


August 2020