Leigh Leigh Wharf

DESCRIPTION

Site Review by Anna Clague
Photos by Bridget McMahon and Anna Clague

Wharf's are very interesting dive sites but not necessarily a site you want to do too often. Leigh wharf is a nice easy shallow dive site but as is the nature of wharf's there is plenty of boat traffic and fishing paraphernalia to be aware of and cautious about.  

This is a well sheltered harbour but due to it being a long narrow inlet with a shallow tidal wash it does trap a lot of silty bottom composition. Due to the murky conditions in this harbour there is plenty of wildlife making the most of being able to hide in direct sight. You will be able to find an abundance of Octopus, Pleurobranchus and Stargazers on the slopes. We found Seahares wrapped up in the kelp and there were Pipehorses and a Seahorse under the wharf pylons. You also get a lot of stingrays in here in season as they feed on the scraps from the fishing fleet that operate out of here. Entry and exit is reasonably easy with a set of stairs beside the cliff face at the end of the road beside the main wharf. Head down the steps onto the rocks and there is a small beach about 15m along that gives you good access to the water without scrabbling over a rocky uneven bottom.

Make yourself visible in the water by towing a SMB or Dive float. There are plenty of other harbour users to be mindful of and a diver is not easily visible to them especially if you are diving shallow or ascending without a surface marker. Also be courteous to the public fishing off the wharf if you are diving under there. There will be plenty of fishing lines, lures and hooks to dodge.