In the Five Islands off Port Kembla, there is excellent diving around Pig Island (also called Bass Islet after the explorers Bass and Flinders). Flinders Islet (aka Toothbrush Island) is nearby.
On the eastern side a pinnacle comes out of 33m depth to about 6m. There is little shelter from the wind and currents can be an issue, but it’s a spectacular dive with lots of small pelagic species like yellowtail (and sometimes their predators, like seals and kingfish), large schools of nannygai (also called redfish) and a mix of bottom-dwelling fish like red morwong.
The southern side slopes quickly into 24m depth and has a series of gullies, drop-offs and amphitheatres. Kelp can be found in the deeper water and occasionally the colourful, protected weedy sea dragon can be found pottering around looking for small shrimps to eat. I have also seen a numb ray in the past. These are one of a few species of fish that can generate an electric current, which may help protect them from being eaten by sharks.
Life on the seabed includes sponges, bryozoans, sea tulips and the occasional gorgonian coral. Over 140 fish species of fish alone can be found in the Five Islands group and this includes a range of uncommon, rare and protected species. The land side of the islands are protected by a Nature Reserve because of their value for seabirds.
Watch more of Duncan's videos at Illawarra Underwater on YouTube
