My last official trip on the wonderful True North took me to the Rowley Shoals, a small group of coral atolls 160 nautical miles off the coast of Broome Western Australia.
The only part of the shoals above water is the pristine Bedwell Island a sand cay which is surrounded by turquoise water with numerous coral clusters to snorkel and dive on.
The True North navigates a very narrow channel into the lagoon of the Clerke Reef and it's from there that you spend the trip diving, snorkeling and fishing in the surrounding waters.
It is rated as one of the great dive locations anywhere in the world but for those who dont dive like me, the snorkeling is simply amazing and to add a highlight to the trip a series of narrow channels make for a thrilling drift snorkel which propels you through the water at great speed.
It is also a great fishing destination with most areas marine sanctuaries but the outer continental shelf provides great opportunities to catch prize fish such as Sailfish, Spanish Mackerel, and Tuna.
This job was quite a challenge for me as I'm more suited to land based photography and the week before I was to complete the shoot I slipped on a rock ledge in the Kimberley falling a few meters onto another rock ledge, giving my water housing I was using at the time a nice old crack, and ending up upside down in a rock pool. I was expecting to see my 5D hanging out the end of my housing but fortunately it was fine and a number of water tests (without the camera) gave it the all clear.
Anyone who has shot underwater footage from a surface position would appreciate how hard it is to get smooth underwater footage so I hope you can appreciate the shots with a few wobbles in them which I have tried hard to eliminate.
Hope you enjoy and if you ever get the opportunity to do any of the wonderful adventures on True North I'm sure you will say as everyone does "that was the best holiday I have ever had"
Thanks to owners Mark and Craig, general manager Tremby, and all the crew for making this job one I will never forget.
Visit the boat at northstarcruises.com.au
Shot with the Canon 5D mk2 and various lenses
Thanks to Ben at Team Digital for the loan of the Canon 16/35mm f/2.8 Series II teamdigital.com.au
Thanks also to Scott Slawinski from Epic Video for some nice diving shots. epicvideo.com.au
