Here’s a little trip report from our Blairgowrie Snorkel on New Years Day 2026. Our usual tradition on New Year is to celebrate well before midnight, then get going as early as possible the next day. Then by the time we’ve finished, we’re on our way home against the traffic just as everyone else is bumper-to-bumper on the way down. With moderate southerly winds today and a minimal tidal exchange, it was the ideal time to visit.
Nudibranchs
Once again, a brilliant swim for nudis. By far my most favourite was the Winged Thecacara – the black and orange one at the top. I haven’t identified most of the others. To be honest, it can become an obsession and I prefer sometimes just to marvel at them. A few of these were new for me today and ranged from the size of a grain of rice to the big yellow and blue Vercoe’s.
Among the pylons
The visibility always seems to be fine here early in the morning, especially when there is a slight current running. A huge crinoid (featherstar) was a nice highlight. Also leatherjackets hanging around the pylons and a couple of Bigbelly Seahorse. As the tide changed a few Lion’s Mane Jellyfish appeared … they don’t generally pose much harm … if you can see them coming, a small tap on the top and they retract their tentacles.
Southern Pygmy Squid
Another nice encounter was with Southern Pygmy Squid. These endearing creatures are, we think, the smallest of their kind in the world, measuring only a couple of centimetres long. They are quite unique, appearing in their own genus, and can be found everywhere. They are surprisingly common and by day, often sit among clumps of sargassum weed.
