Bushy Atoll 3rd Time

Been waiting for a decent forecast to fall with a tide around noon. Last visit was September 2022 being harried off the island with the falling tide as it was the first time.

Planning to arrive anytime around 8.30 giving us about 2.7M of tide. A good chance to check out the lay of the rocks that seem to surround Bushy. Conditions started with a small chop and a short swell that lasted about 15klms and kept getting better the further we went. Basically great for the rest of the day flat.

We arrived 8.45 not able to beach unless we anchored over shallow rocks so Simon went out for a fish. I snooped around for a while looking for a way in.

Gave that away after 15 minutes and decided to go in and walk the ski over the shallows. anchored over some sand starting to get water. Estimating the tide to be about 3M at this time 9am.

Simon returns without a fish and we take a walk through the island. The Turkey nest that is nearly 2M high that I climb to photo the top

Then on to the hut for a closer inspection than before.

The Dunny that I promised myself a closer look this time. What did I learn well not much other than it had a window and wasn’t a drop hole ? maybe a can ?

Had a bit of a snoop around

Leaving the hut we head west through the bush to get back on beach.

Back at skis we decide to ski around the Atoll. To my estimates we now have just over 4M of tide.

We head from Bushy to the eastern edge of Atoll. I wasn’t keen on getting to close as I seen the rocks standing up along this edge on first arrival. Inside the Atoll was bombie as with a couple of lagoon type areas. The fish were in abundant seen my first Maori Rass x 2 huge fish so close.

Going back to Bushy via Redbill Island that had over half a dozen Egrets that we disturbed from there roosts. I have never noticed Egrets out on the islands before ?

So now we are back on the SE corner of Bushy having some lunch sitting beside what was a turtles nest with all broken shells. That must of been raided by the Bush Turkeys. Nether seen a Turkey out there but the evidence is compelling but how did they get there ??

Enjoying the scenery when this Turtle decides to join us with the rising tide probably to lay her eggs. I slip into the bushes and sneak my way closer to get a half decent shot. Without disturbing her. This turtle is different to the once I normally see she was smooth dark green.

Goodbye Bushy we are heading home with a variation to travel over.

Not ventured down the eastern side of Penrith Island before so we did. Found this interesting area half way down. A crop of rock has a passage running through it. The sort of thing I have seen Jet Skiers from down south ride through for fun. This had a small long swell bursting through it. It scared me to look at it but I reckon those loonies would love it.

This is the gap. You can get a glimpse of it on the video at the 1.04 mark of video.

Nearing the end of the island we cut through this gap and into this sort of bay. After awhile we realise we are surrounded with these little rollers on ground we have no idea about. Except it is rock and it is shallow well 2M is plenty shallow for me over rock. Rollers that I have zero experience with and get myself in a tangle with the top of a wave and Simon’s wake. That turned out to be nothing thanks to the Ski they must be good. Then dropping over the top of waves that have taken water away. Relief with stimulation might be way to describe the feeling once through. Parts of this is on video not so sure it expresses it the way I felt it.

Pass Penrith and on to Derwent Island with Skull Rock.

We cruise along the northern side of Derwent Island. From this point we make bee line for the Harbour.

Turned out to be a great day with plenty of adventure without drama unless we count Simon losing his winch handle on way in this morning. Our Skis are to be commended they didn’t miss a beat. Back at the Harbour requesting to be taken off the log at 2pm.

Thanks for reading till next time. Blog and Video compiled in chronological order.