Very pleased to report that the last dive camp of the year (16th –17th October) was a rip-roaring success.

Saturday morning dawned bright but breezy at Tso Wo Hang and Mr Chan warned of choppy waters if we ventured too far along the Sai Kung coast. We opted for the northern shore of Long Ke wan for both that day’s dives and while the surface waters may have been a bit lumpy for those remaining on the junk, the divers were rewarded with great viz (6-10m) and lots of fish. Several buddy pairs spotted octopus and a large school of trumpet fish appeared to be patrolling the neighbourhood while several species of nudibranch were waiting to be discovered and a pair of lionfish played hide and seek amongst the rocks.

With the wind forecast to strengthen and turn more easterly overnight, it was agreed to forego our preferred campsite at Long Ke and instead we headed back into the shelter of Rocky Harbour to the much smaller but very clean white sand beach of Ma Tau Wan.

A smorgasbord of 13 tents representing the very best (and the slightly iffy) of what Mongkok has to offer emerged in short order allowing everyone to concentrate on the more important business of Pimms consumption (thank you Denvy) and barbecue. I’m pretty sure no one went hungry and most even found space for Denvy’s delicious dessert of baked banana with chocolate and brandy. The strengthening wind did materialize resulting in some emergency securing of some of the tents, in one case with about half a ton of rocks, but by the following morning nobody had been blown away though the tide did get pretty close.

Sunday saw blue skies and large plates of bacon, beans and eggs for the early risers and once the camp site had been broken down and the baggage loaded onto the sampan, many chose to make the traditional swim out to Mr Chan’s junk.

With the wind still blowing strong, another sheltered dive site was called for and Basalt Island was chosen. This proved ideal as the small swell kept things comfortable for those not diving while the excellent viz revealed the extent of the areas clown fish population amongst he anemones. More octopus were found as well as a couple of scorpion fish and several morays. Viz declined for the 2nd dive of the day but since only one buddy pair were enthusiastic enough to partake, nobody was too upset by this development. Swimming, sunbathing, reading and sleeping seemed the order of the day for most.

It was a relaxed crowd that returned to Tso Wo Hang that evening and off-loaded the small mountain of kit that we’d brought with us. A great weekend made all the more enjoyable by the large number of people that so enthusiastically took part.

Bruce Stephens, all photos by Bruce
20th October 2010