They're not sea-lions, but around Montague Island off the South Coast of New South Wales is a colony of juvenile fur-seals, which are baby-sat by the bachelor-seals while breeding males and all the females above a certain age go off to cavort. There's limited anchorage there, usually occupied by powered dive-boats, and an historic lighthouse. The island itself is a nature-reserve. (https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/barunguba-montague-island-nature-reserve)
The juvenile seals are presumably protected from shark-attacks and taught to hunt. They will often all swim together with one flipper in the air to stay cool, which can look like them all waving.
But jump in the water with them and they go crazy playing with you -- lunging at you and barking under water, staring into your mask, tugging at your dive-hood, nibbling at your fins, and spinning around you in spirals. You can easily suck a scuba-tank dry in 20 minutes trying to keep up.
I doubt that I'd swim with any adult otary because if they took objection to your company, there's not much you could do. But it's great fun playing respectfully with their juveniles (or rather, letting them play with you.)
A wonderful adventure. Thanks for taking me along in your story. And you were funny along the way. Did not have to try too hard. I'm reading this with the wood stove on and Temps in the teens. It makes me want to fly away.
Excellent write-up Peter. Sounds like it was a great trip. About six years ago, for my 60th birthday, my brothers and I did a six-day, 1,250-mile dirt bike adventure from Ensenada to Cabo, with many stops along the way as we crossed back and forth across the Baja peninsula. I heartily agree with your assessments of the scenery, excellent cuisine (especially the amazing seafood), and incredibly friendly local folks. I'd go back in a heartbeat. I wrote a daily blog during the trip. Here's the link for anyone interested - https://baja2018.blogspot.com/
Oh, I wish!
Such a fabulous write up. Next best thing to being there.
My boat is in the Atlantic now for the duration, at my age.
I could read such stories all day long, Peter.
They're not sea-lions, but around Montague Island off the South Coast of New South Wales is a colony of juvenile fur-seals, which are baby-sat by the bachelor-seals while breeding males and all the females above a certain age go off to cavort. There's limited anchorage there, usually occupied by powered dive-boats, and an historic lighthouse. The island itself is a nature-reserve. (https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/barunguba-montague-island-nature-reserve)
The juvenile seals are presumably protected from shark-attacks and taught to hunt. They will often all swim together with one flipper in the air to stay cool, which can look like them all waving.
https://ausemade.com.au/wp-content/uploads/seals-off-montague-island-20031105-convar4758-1024x768.jpg
But jump in the water with them and they go crazy playing with you -- lunging at you and barking under water, staring into your mask, tugging at your dive-hood, nibbling at your fins, and spinning around you in spirals. You can easily suck a scuba-tank dry in 20 minutes trying to keep up.
I doubt that I'd swim with any adult otary because if they took objection to your company, there's not much you could do. But it's great fun playing respectfully with their juveniles (or rather, letting them play with you.)
A wonderful adventure. Thanks for taking me along in your story. And you were funny along the way. Did not have to try too hard. I'm reading this with the wood stove on and Temps in the teens. It makes me want to fly away.
Love this article Peter - well done!
Thank you. When are coming to Florida next?
Was there for FLIBS. No immediate plans.
Cruised the Sea of Cortez last year on our N57 “Grande” and your article made me want to go again!
Excellent write-up Peter. Sounds like it was a great trip. About six years ago, for my 60th birthday, my brothers and I did a six-day, 1,250-mile dirt bike adventure from Ensenada to Cabo, with many stops along the way as we crossed back and forth across the Baja peninsula. I heartily agree with your assessments of the scenery, excellent cuisine (especially the amazing seafood), and incredibly friendly local folks. I'd go back in a heartbeat. I wrote a daily blog during the trip. Here's the link for anyone interested - https://baja2018.blogspot.com/
Magical place, indeed. Maybe Trump will rename it.