Bird watching, but the dolphins were a bonus. Sydney Pelagics is a group that goes out to the Shelf on the second Saturday of each month, and has done so for the last 13 or 14 years.
Bird watching, but the dolphins were a bonus. Sydney Pelagics is a group that goes out to the Shelf on the second Saturday of each month, and has done so for the last 13 or 14 years.
Just been looking at their website, it sounds like a great trip. Except you have to get up pretty early. It says they have spotted 80 different seabird species - are they quite good at identifying all the species? And 11 cetacean species. But its well priced for a full day tour, I will add it to the list of things I want to do next time I'm in Sydney!
Well let me warn you - it took 3 1/2 hours to get to the edge of the shelf, and most of the time was spent just hanging on to something as the boat pitched a lot. We spent about 2 hours drifting when we got to the edge (50kms from the coast, and we couldn't see the coast), photography was easier at that point although there was still some rocking. Then 3 1/2 hours ride back to Sydney.
Well let me warn you - it took 3 1/2 hours to get to the edge of the shelf, and most of the time was spent just hanging on to something as the boat pitched a lot. We spent about 2 hours drifting when we got to the edge (50kms from the coast, and we couldn't see the coast), photography was easier at that point although there was still some rocking. Then 3 1/2 hours ride back to Sydney.
I 've never actually been seasick (although I've also never been that far offshore - except on great big ferrys that don't rock at all), I tend to enjoy bumpy boat rides. So I think I'd cope. You would say it was worth it overall though?
I didn't get the return I thought I would - not worried about the financial aspect, 4 new species for a nine hour very bumpy boat ride. Had there been albatross I would have been happy.
But if you've not seen pelagic species before, I'd recommend it once just for the experience, and leave it up to the individual to decide if it's worth doing again.
I didn't get the return I thought I would - not worried about the financial aspect, 4 new species for a nine hour very bumpy boat ride. Had there been albatross I would have been happy.
But if you've not seen pelagic species before, I'd recommend it once just for the experience, and leave it up to the individual to decide if it's worth doing again.
