Clovelly Beach Sydney

Lured by a cloudless, cobalt blue Sydney sky – hot early December sun and my latest acquisition – mask, snorkel and flippers – The great idea of snorkelling at Clovellly Beach, with its fabled family of elusive Blue Gropers, begged urgent attention. Particularly because just yesterday, whilst driving back from the beach I took the opportunity to check out the local dive shop and spotted the coolest Mask. Mirrored eyes bordered by aqua iridescence which showcased the very black mask – but on the inside the rosy hue so beneficial for enhanced underwater colour, smacked of real magic. SOLD and $165 later I was ready for any snorkelling experience that may come my way.

So off we went....

Togs on – beach towels and snorkelling gear into the BMW – filled up with petrol at $1.45 a litre and joined the rest of the Sydneysiders on Sunday seeking sun, sea and sand in the most pleasant way. Fifteen minutes as guided by the female Sat Nav later we were circling the crowded car park of Clovelly Beach Sydney but that’s no problem- we’re always lucky with car parks

There we were. First time at Clovelley – like a big ocean pool – bordered on both sides by large rectangular slices of concrete wide enough for families, couples, lionesses and prey to laze around on and also providing easy access to the ocean.

The impressive expanse of enclosed ocean was littered with snorklers – I wasn’t the only one with the great idea.

As a first time snorkeller and having claimed the piece of concrete ten feet from the waters edge, out of the splash zone with no-one in front, I proceeded to don the flippers, with mask and snorkel in hand. Walking ten feet in flippers is no mean feat and why was I the only one doing it? I’m in! after negotiating the bob and flow of the current. The water is refreshingly acceptable – the flippers propelling a smooth glide. The flippers and mask aid flotation and allow a kind of skimming on the surface of the shallow and the deep.
Too easy – how good is this! Not as clear or colourful as I imagined it but it feels good and it’s a start.

There I was again, trying to negotiate walking in flippers back to my towel – why was I the only one doing this?

Just beautiful. Sun, sand, waves, beach babes, remote controlled miniature surf board riders and lionesses performing specially for Gary - he’s in heaven. But sufficient unto this day we moved on.

On to La Perouse. What a treat! First time.

Expensive yachts and catamarans in the sheltered bay. Family BBQ’s dotted throughout the parks. The interesting skyline of Kurnell. Really big ships gliding by. The best view of Botany Bay Heads So many cars – no problem – we’re lucky with car parks. There it was, right outside the the best positioned restaurant but it was closed. No problem. Just up the hill was the verandah to die for.

So there we were, at Danny’s Restaurant. The menu was easy. Plain Caesar Salad, Whole Lemon Sole for me. Barra with yummy sauce for Gary. If we hadn’t had the three glasses of wine each – it would have been great value for money and how considerate was Danny, looking after our delicate complexions by issuing wide brimmed hats. We were there from 5.30 to 6.30pm and by the time we left there would have been more than 120 people enjoying Danny’s substantial verandah. Its amazing how a beautiful Sydney day can inspire so many first time experiences.

P.S I think the first lesson of snorkelling is to put your flippers on and off in the water – no need to walk with flippers on land.