Flying Fish

The Fantastic Flying Fish – Is it a fish? Is it a boat? Or is it a cocktail drink?

Well, it is all of them actually but the one we’re going to share with you today is the FLYING FISH.

Flying Fish are able to achieve powerful, self-propelled leaps out of the water where their long wing-like fins enable them to glide for considerable distances ABOVE the water’s surface. Amazing, right! This very uncommon fish ability is a natural defence mechanism to evade any predators.

Where are you likely to find them

They like to hang out in the top layer of the ocean – the “sunlight zone” – where most of the visible light exists under the water. This is the layer of ocean where nearly all the ocean’s primary production happens and as such, the vast majority of plants and marine animals live in this area. This, of course, leads to prey and predation relationships where the smaller fish, like the Flying Fish, are targets for the bigger fish. Their unique adaptation allows their torpedo shaped bodies, large pectoral fins and strong tail to reach the velocity it needs to “fly”. It also has adapted its gills to enable them to breathe whilst in the air. These flying fish are also found out at Lady Musgrave Island.

How big will they grow

When the Flying Fish is fully grown it can measure up to 20 – 25 centimetres in length and their pectoral fins can be as big as the size of the wings of some birds. After increasing speed under the water, they launch themselves out of the water and glide quite remarkable distances. At the end of the glide, they fold their pectoral fins to re-enter the sea or drop their tails into the water to push against it to enable them to lift for another glide and can even change directions at this point. They can increase the time in the air by flying straight into or at an angle to the direction of the updrafts created by the air and ocean currents.

Some Flying Fish have been known to launch themselves onto the decks of smaller boats. Other fisherman catch Flying Fish by shining a light into the water and then catching them with a net. Others are able to scoop them straight out of the air with nets and Sea Birds have been known to swoop in and catch the Flying Fish while they are in glide mode.

The average flight length would be around 50 metres and with updrafts up to 400 metres in distance. They can travel at speeds of 70 km/h at an altitude maximum of around 6 metres above the surface of the sea.

In May 2008, a Japanese film crew filmed a flying fish off the coast of Yakusima Island and the fish spent 45 seconds in the air. Remarkable for such a little fish.

Have you wondered how Lady Musgrave Island was created

How was Lady Musgrave Island Created?

Believe it or not, the “land” that forms the Great Barrier Reef is the remains of sediments of the Great Dividing Range (Australia’s largest mountain range). It extends over 2500 kilometres along the coast line of Queensland. Wow isn’t that amazing!

Coral Cay

There are many types of reefs throughout the Great Barrier Reef however at the Southern End, we are graced with reefs that also include a coral cay. A coral cay is actually an island formed from the loose coral sediments that are broken up by prevailing winds and “pushed” into an area of the reef where it deposits, settles and begins to form the cay. There are many cays on the Great Barrier Reef however Lady Musgrave is the only one that you can gain ACCESS into the partially protected waters of the lagoon, within the walls of the reef itself.

Lady Musgrave Island is over 19 hectares (49 acres) and is properly described as a wooded, sandy cay. It has been built by wind driven waves, pushing coral rubble, sand and broken shells to one end of the reef. Now it is held together by the roots of trees and shrubs, fertilised by the bird droppings of those that nest, live and breed on the island.

Lady Musgrave Lagoon

The lagoon is surrounded by an oval shaped coral ring, striving to grow outward which has collapsed in the centre. The reef consists of over 3000 acres comprising of cay (island), lagoon and reef, with the lagoon itself around 1000 acres.

Great, broad-leafed Pisonia trees (Pisonia Grandis) dominate the island’s interior. They are soft wooded and shallow rooted so they sometimes topple or drop branches in strong winds and storms but continue to live in a tangles mat of trunks and roots. The Pandanus thrives around the island’s edge on strong roots that bind the soil and sand. Casuarina Pines thrive in the open spaces and their fine leaves give great shade. Octopus Bush are around the foreshore and Sandpaper Figs can be found inland.

So time to come and visit this island paradise with the enthusiastic

passionate team from 1770reef.

 

We are the Closest access to the Reef!

Lady Musgrave Island – Gateway to the Southern Great Barrier Reef.

1770reef provides you with the closest access to Lady Musgrave Island being just a short boat trip out fro the Town of 1770  to Lady Musgrave Island, Reef and Lagoon. The Town of 1770/Agnes Water is only 5 hours from the city of Brisbane and only 1.5 hours from city of Bundaberg, by car.

You can drive yourself, catch a Greyhound Bus, get the Tilt Train or get an Executive Limousine service direct from Bundaberg, return. So easy to get here and so much to enjoy with 1770reef visiting the “jewel” in the reef – Lady Musgrave Island.

What to expect on your tour

We travel 65 kilometres across open oceans to access the wonders of the reef, right on our doorstep. All activities are provided for your day – a wonderfully informative guided island walk with our experienced guide who tends to spend most of the year either working on the reef/island with 1770reef or assisting with Qld Parks and Wildlife vegetation regeneration projects on the island. Let Marcus share his extensive knowledge about the island, the birds and the marine life that surround these shores.

Then, onto the glass bottom boat with your guide for a great coral viewing tour. With 6 metres of large glass panels on the bottom, it allows all our guests to enjoy “life under the sea” without getting your feet wet. Meandering through the coral bommies pointing out the different coral formations, finding Nemos’ and spotting turtles as we go.

On your return to our vessel to enjoy a fresh tropical buffet lunch before getting your swimmers on for your snorkelling activity. After your important snorkel safety briefing by the crew, get your snorkel gear (crew will assist with sizing if required) and away you go to enjoy the pristine waters of the lagoon within our large snorkel zone. Resting stations are provided throughout the zone, in case of fatigue during your snorkel time as it can be a tiring exercise for those of us not used to it. Open your eyes to the beauty below the water and let us know what you spot- turtles, garfish, cods, parrot fish, clown fish to name a few.

Advice before travel

As you are travelling across open marine waters to reach this magnificent destination, 1770reef also recommend that you consider motion sickness medication. This is best pre purchased before your arrival in town.  Also some thongs or covered shoes that can get wet as the island is a coral Island and quiet hard on your feet.

So need help to organise a great holiday or just a quick weekend away, call us – 1770reef – and we can offer you our reef trip, other local activities in town and accommodation packages.

Call us today 0749 727222 or email tours@1770reef.com.au or look at our website www.1770reef.com.au

Finding Nemo at Lady Musgrave Island

We all love “Nemo” at Lady Musgrave Island

The Great 8!  Number #3 on the list of Great 8 are our beautiful Clown Fish and notably well known around the world “Nemo”.

 Boy or Girl?

All Clown Fish are born. These very social fish live together with a dominant female. If she dies, the most dominant male will change sex to female and become the leader.

Home Safe!

 Clown Fish have a very special relationship with the Anemone (related to coral and jellyfish and some experts say half plant and half animal). The Clown Fish eat the anemone leftovers (fish pieces for example) and live among https://www.1770reef.com.au/book-now/ the protection of the venomous tentacles. The anemone uses the Clown Fish for removal of dead tentacles and to improve water circulation around itself.

What Colour Am I?

Clown Fish come in a variety of wonderful colours. They have white stripes that are combined with orange, red, yellow, blue, or black basic body colour. Of course, we all think of the orange type due to the popularity of the movie “Finding Nemo”.

Come and Get Me!

By gaining the protection of the toxic tentacles of the anemone, Clown Fish can be known to be quite aggressive in nature if predators do come close. Recently, on a 1770reef Day Trip to Lady Musgrave, we have experienced, first hand, a Hawksbill Turtle trying to eat coral near an anemone with resident Clown Fish and out they  charged towards the turtle, – twice. Always ready to protect their homes.

Clown Fish – One. Turtle – Nil.

They will also fiercely protect their homes from other Clown Fish. However, if with the best protection, Clown Fish is often preyed on by large fish, sharks and eels.

Let 1770reef help you tick the famous       CLOWN FISH   # 3 on the Great Barrier Reef Great 8 off your bucket list!!!                                  

+617 4972 7222                                              tours@1770reef.com.au                            www.1770reef.com.au

Meet the Majestic Manta Ray’s at Lady Musgrave Island

Manta Ray’s at Lady Musgrave Island with 1770reef

The gracefulness of the Manta Ray is truly a thing of beauty. They are a giant of the ocean and can reach a disc size of up to 7metres, averaging around 4.5 metres.

Coming in at Number #2 on the Great 8 of our Great Barrier Reef’s living icons is the Manta Ray and you may have to chance to get up close and personal while snorkelling the pristine waters of Lady Musgrave Lagoon.

Did you know?

The Manta Ray has the largest brain to body size ration of any living fish which makes them quite inquisitive around snorkellers and divers, coming up to “inspect” what you are up to.

How  fast can they go?

The flapping in Mantas can generate incredible amount of propulsion. A 4.5 metre Manta can travel at around 14 kilometres per hour with bursts of up to 35 kilometres per hour.

You can name one as well.

If you get a chance to swim with the Manta take a photo of its underbelly. No two Mantas have the same markings. If it is identified as a “new” sighting, you can name it yourself!

The Love Train

During breeding times up to 30 males may follow only one (1) female as she leads them in a merry dance resembling something like the old Conga Line dance. She will then choose one of the males as a partner. Once she falls pregnant, the male departs and has no part in any parenting.

 What a big mouth you have?

The Manta has a very large, forward facing mouth. This allows them to migrate across the open seas and filter feed large quantities of plankton which they swallow with their open mouths as they swim along.

Let 1770reef help you tick the famous     MANTA RAY    # 2 on the Great Barrier Reef Great 8 off your bucket list!!!                                  

+617 4972 7222                                              tours@1770reef.com.au                            www.1770reef.com.au

Giant Clam

Giant Clams at Lady Musgrave Island Lagoon

It’s The Great 8!

The Giant Clam is found at our very own Lady Musgrave Island Lagoon part of the Southern Great Barrier Reef, with the Giant Clam earing its spot at number 5, alongside the likes of Whales, Manta Rays, Clown Fish, Sharks, Potato Cod, Maori Wrasse and Turtles.

Lady Musgrave Island is one of the only locations along the Great Barrier Reef where all 8 can be found, including of course the amazing Giant Clam.

Did you know?

It’s said that, like a human fingerprint, no two Giant Clams have the same colouration or mantle pattern.  These wild technicolour effects actually come from algae living within the clam’s tissue.

These extraordinary mollusks, which can grow to 1.5 meters in length and weigh up to 200 kilograms, feature a pretty ordinary exterior but a stunning mantle – the fleshy part protruding from the shell.

One of these Clams is not like the other….

Adult giant clams cannot close their shells completely.   This makes them the only species of clams unable to do so.

Male or Female?

By nature, Giant Clams are hermaphrodites. They possess the reproductive organs of both the sexes.

Despite this, they cannot reproduce on their own. On the contrary, they release sperms and eggs into the water.

A single giant clam can release over 500 million eggs at one time.

What’s for dinner?

The algae that grow within the Giant Clam’s mantle tissue are their main source of food. The giant clams absorb sugars and proteins, which these algae produce as they photosynthesize. The nutrition that they get from these algae enables them to acquire such enormous sizes.

Owing to their immense size and their sessility, giant clams are also preyed upon by a number of predators which are, more often than not, much smaller than them.

Let 1770reef help you tick the famous GIANT CLAM  # 5 on the Great Barrier Reef Great 8 off your bucket list!!!      Bookings 0749727222https://www.1770reef.com.au/book-now/