Announcing: Byron Underwater Festival '08 - 30 April - 4 May (UF08)

The 2nd annual Byron Underwater Festival will be held from Wednesday the 30th of April to Sunday the 4th of May 2008 in Byron Bay, the most easterly point of the Australian mainland.

Julian Rocks is part of 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, friendly sharks and over 500 other species of fish. Macro life is 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 Photo & Video Shootout

- 4 days - as many dives as you wish - as much digital media you can expose - Open to novices and professionals alike - Over $20,000 worth of amazing prizes including Beuchat dive equipment, Olympus camera gear, overseas dive trips and more.

Other activities and events include

- Meet underwater pioneer Neville Coleman - Attend a photo clinic with Matthieu Meur - Marine Visions art competition & exhibition - Olympus underwater camera try-outs - Introduction to SCUBA - Snorkel tours - Night Dive at the wreck of the Tassie II - Dolphin kayaking - Guided seabird walks - Marine wildlife and underwater photography presentations - Festival Finale featuring the Underwater Village - Kids events including the Byron ArtiFishal Reef Project

Something for everyone and fun for the whole family with many FREE events and activities.

For more info and booking go to http://www.underwaterfestival.com.au

Major Festival sponsors Beuchat, Olympus, Allways Dive Expeditions, Ikelite, Byron Bay Dive Centre, Sundive, Planula Divers Retreat, MadFish Wines, Retrospect Galleries, The Byron@Byron Resort and Spa, Marine Parks Authority NSW, PADI, underwater.com.au

Contributed by Tim Hochgrebe added 2008-01-16