Announcing: Byron Underwater Festival '07 - 10-13 May (UF07)

The 2007 Byron Underwater Festival will be held from Thursday the 10th to Sunday the 13th of May in Byron Bay, the most easterly point of the Australian mainland.

Julian Rocks is part of the new Cape Byron Marine Park and only a few minutes boat ride from Main Beach. Tropical and temperate currents meet here, resulting in an unique mixture and incredible abundance of marine life including 3 species of turtles various rays and friendly sharks and over 500 other species of fish. Macro life is also abundant with nudibranchs, crabs and snails, various coral and sponge species as well as sea stars, feather stars and urchins. In May water temperatures are still up (21 to 24˚C) and it is a quieter time of the year in Byron Bay, a great time to visit!

Who can participate ?

The Byron Underwater Festival is aimed to engage everyone with an interest in the marine environment, whether they want to dive it, snorkel it, kayak it or just observe it from the safety of their armchairs.

What will be happening ?

Byron Underwater Photographic Shootout

- 4 days - 8 dives - as much digital media or rolls of film as you can expose - Open to novices and professionals alike - Dive with underwater pioneer Neville Coleman - Thousands of dollars worth of prizes including Beuchat dive equipment and snorkel gear - dive trips and more

Snorkel tours

- Snorkel with turtles at Julian Rocks - Discover the wreck of the Tassie II

Critter identity workshops - What did I see ?

- with Neville Coleman - each afternoon at PLANULA Divers Retreat

Marine wildlife presentations

- Introduction to Nudibranchs - Neville Coleman - Underwater Naturalist - Neville Coleman - Many other presentations to be announced

Documentary screening

Byron Underwater - where tropical and temperate waters merge

Other activities and events will include

Discover Scuba tours - always wanted to try it - now is the time Kayaking with dolphins - Including information sessions on dolphin biology and more Kids events including interpretative beach walk - families are welcome at UF07 Clean up dive - help to preserve our pristine underwater world Night Dive at the wreck of the Tassie II - see what critters come out in the dark

Various Festival Packages available - divers and non-divers welcome

For more info on the Byron Underwater Festival, please keep visiting the festival website http://www.underwaterfestival.com.au

Festival sponsors and supporters include: Planula Divers Retreat, Byron Bay Dive Centre, Sundive Byron Bay, Coastcare and many others

Main dive equipment sponsor: Beuchat - ZSports Pty Ltd

Media Sponsors include: underwater.com.au, DiveLog, Sportdiving, X-Ray Magazine and others

Contributed by Tim Hochgrebe added 2007-02-11