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Dive Review of Heron in
Australia/GBR

Heron, Nov, 2007,

by Michael deLaChapelle, WA, United States ( 1 report). Report 3818.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 3 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 3 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 2 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 2 stars
Comments The accommodations were spacious and comfortable except that we had trouble sleeping because the nesting Mutton birds surrounding our cabin made a eerie moaning sound all night. This is a small inconvenience for the privilege of staying on such a unique and interesting island. The dining was excellent.

The boat dives were very crowded but the boat trips were extremely short. We were expected to dive in groups although I didn’t get any hassle for occasionally wondering off on my own. The water was surprisingly cold (70 F) – I was continuously shivering in my 3mm wetsuit. The visibility was mediocre (30-50 ft.). The terrain was mostly shallow bommies. More variety would have been welcome. I most enjoyed seeing the Wobbegong sharks which were plentiful. The dive masters on the boat record your tank pressure when you enter and exit the water, shouting it out for all to hear. They expect you to return to the boat with over 700 PSI in your tank. In my opinion, this is excessive, and perhaps a safety issue for divers that may skip breath just to get back to the boat with enough air to avoid public humiliation and the threat of not being allowed to dive again (yes, they said that). I would have preferred fewer rules and shorter briefings.

The highlight of my stay was snorkeling at the north end of the island at high tide when the reef sharks and rays congregate in the shallows right off the beach. You can literally wade into dozens of sharks, sting rays & shovelnose rays. I got some great video. It’s also fun to snorkel around the dock where there are huge schools of fish and a couple of immense grouper.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving Everywhere
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy Seas
Water Temp 70-0°F / 21--18°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 30-50 Ft/ 9-15 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile no
Enforced diving restrictions Group diving, 45 min/tank
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 2 stars Tropical Fish 3 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics 3 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 3 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars Shore Facilities 3 stars
UW Photo Comments [None]
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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