Snorkeling in the Deep Blue Sea

By Hannah

We snorkeled at Poor Knights Islands, a famous marine reserve where fish and birds are protected. Our boat left Tutukaka harbour at 8:30am and headed to the islands to anchor.

At first we thought the area was jellyfish infested because there were jellyfish-like sea creatures in the water, but later the skipper explained that they were called salps and were completely harmless. But when snorkeling, it was uncomfortable to feel gooey, slimy salps slide onto your hands, head, neck and parts of your face. I was a bit nervous at first and it took some coaxing to get me in. When I first entered the water it was freezing, but soon the wetsuit helped keep me warm.

While under water we saw many fish. It was really amazing. We also went into the biggest sea cave in the world. We ended the day with a bowl of chili. What a great day!

By Eric

Yesterday was Wamo! I went snorkeling on a wavy boat. I saw fish and giant sea urchins and the biggest snapper ever! I also saw some Jelly-like thing called a “Salp” At first it was so scary under water. The salps looked like Jelly fish. Then Dad told me to pretend it's snowing. It worked, but what really scared me was when I looked down (about 10 metres) and they were everywhere!

Another kind of salp looked like a ribbon that lit up.

It was fun.

By Mary

Snorkeling on the ocean was exciting. We had to go on a 45 minute boat ride to an island. But, you could NOT go on the land because in the 1800s there was a terrible Moari battle and it left a sad and special feeling (Tapu). After the battle everyone left it was made into a nature reserve where no one can go fishing. If you go on the island, you will get a big fine ($250,000). We had to stay on the boat or in the water.

The ride out was super bumpy, but it was calm when we got there. I found the water freezing. We saw a lot of, and I mean over 2000, white, see-through salps that floated just like jelly fish without tentacles. They did not sting and you could pick them up. They felt like jello. We also saw snappers, black angel fish, and sea urchins. I would do it again anytime!