Sandon Point has a lot to offer snorkellers. It is large in area and has a diversity of habitats and some easy access points.
On the northern side, there is an easy entry point in front of the historic boat sheds, some of which were built in the late 1800s. The entry point is a channel blasted by recreational fishermen to facilitate access to the sea by their boats.
Near the northern entry point it is shallow with low-relief rocky reef and a mix of turf algae and urchin barrens. Heading east, it’s possible to find boulder fields which don’t support much growth. On the rocky reef can be found ‘fields’ of the green algae (Caulerpa filiformis) and the brown seaweed commonly called cray weed.
On the far eastern end, the depth increases (at least 10m in places where I have looked) and there are lots of gullies and drop-offs. Turning south one can find a large gully cut into the rocks which, if you’re adventurous, can be used as an entry and exit point. Further south is a wall that extends to a regular surf spot. The southern area will be the subject of another article.
The linked video on YouTube clearly shows the bright green Caulerpa filiformis. Whilst it looks like grass, it is not a true seagrass. These do occur in NSW but are largely restricted to the wave-protected estuaries. This Caulerpa is thought to have been introduced from either South Africa or South America about 100 years ago and is also believed to be spreading along the NSW coast.
There has been quite a bit of research conducted on this species. It is believed to have chemicals that prevent grazing by herbivores but evidence for any significant impact on fish diversity and abundance is weak. From my own observations, grazers like luderick and black drummer are quite happy eating Caulerpa.
For more local adventures in the ocean, follow Duncan’s “Illawarra Underwater” channel on YouTube.
