Who doesn’t love a good drumstick?
You’re probably thinking about chicken, but there’s another drumstick that for a scuba enthusiast should be at the top of your drumstick scale.
That is the awesome dive site called Drum and Drumsticks or as the locals call it ‘The Drum’. You might be wondering how this place got its name. I’ve only been told what others have heard and it’s been passed around the local divers for years. That’s because the location looks like a drum with drumsticks. Original right?
Well this is where is gets a bit interesting, turns out that one of the sticks got hit during target practice. Meaning it’s now a stick less. That being said Jervis bay on the NSW South Coast is rich with naval history, with many sites being named after their purpose or used to inspire a great intro to a dive site. From the inner and outer tubes to the wreck of a WWII plane in the bay called the Firefly. It’s hard not get caught up in the military significance of this beautiful location.
While on a boat trip out with Dive Jervis Bay your introduced to a few of these places and get a nice run down on some of the history that this location has accrued. As the boat leaves the bay and heads north along the spectacular cliffs of Point Perpendicular you can see how there’s an abundance of dive sites that can be accessed year-round.
Today as you guess we’re off to The Drum. A favourite dive site for locals and visitors it hosts one of the two permanent seal colonies. Who doesn’t love a dive with seals? As the boat arrives at the site around the small island outcrop and drops anchor you can already see some seals on the surface playing and others on the rocks waiting to jump in the water. Everyone on the boat is excited, including the staff. They love it!
The dive site is open to the ocean and can have a small current at times so with the dive brief in hand we set off to explore a place called the Lion’s Den. A big open underwater gouge into one of the islands. Heading into the current towards the Den seals immediately joined the fun and it wasn’t long before they were darting back and forth, spinning around the group.
Ever playful they followed for a while and then went back to their own fun and games. As we came to the Den there were large Blue Groupers and a few Wobbegong Shark hiding in the rock. With clear vis of 20m it’s easy to see why this place is a local’s favourite.
Turning back to let the current help us back to the boat the seals once again joined the party. Our group of divers enjoying the playfulness as much as the seals. Getting back on board the boat with a hot drink and snack in hand everyone’s face was ear to ear grin. Who knew a seal could make you so happy? With the engine firing up we watched the island get smaller in the distance and on the boat ride back we were lucky enough to encounter some migrating whales.
For sure if Jervis Bay hasn’t been on your dive list then it should be at the top of your drumstick scale. Dive Jervis Bay are terrific hosts, with full gear, accommodation and a wonderful crew, they know the bay like the back of their hands and always find the best spot to dive for the day. With boats departing twice per day it’s definitely a location for diving not to miss. Take a look at Dive Jervis Bay to book your next dive adventure.
Article Written by Jonathan Mueller
Photo Credit: Jordon Robins
Want to read about more great places to dive in Australia?
Diving at Rottnest 4 of the Best
