East Wallabi Abrolhos Islands

Oh what a glorious day for this....we land on East Wallabi Island, which in regard to the Batavia shipwreck history, was the island that the soldiers were 'tricked' into landing (then stranded) on. It's unbelievable to think of survivors managing to exist here - no trees for shade......
Anyway we're here on a different context, tourists looking to enjoy the peace and tranquillity in this amazing coastal setting! We are the 3rd plane (and last) on the island today, and the other 2 planes are 4 seaters like ours. So really, not going to be too many of us here today. Turtle Beach as we walk onto it, is a stunning sight, the colours of sea and sand so clear and beautiful. We walk to some shelters that have recently been established on the fringe of the beach for the tour operators to use for storage and seating with picnic tables. We arrive at the shelters and Katie promptly checks what we'd like to do first - cuppa, snorkel, walk...we end up going in that order with lunch eaten before a walk.
The snorkling was outstanding - totally agree with Roger - our best yet. The clear water, the coral coming back with purple and blue throughout - and a stunning array of fish and marine life. We did the recommended 'loop' out in the bay around a main coral formation. It was amazing - I was not worried about getting into deeper waters (at the far side of the loop) as the currents were mild and easy to drift with. Roger was great and stayed with me, we got to see a couple of large crayfish - hiding as best they could under the coral. Didn't see the resident octopus (maybe 2? our pilots suggested) we were happy with all the different types of fish. Some large schools of fish too.
When we had our lunch, brought along by our pilots, we got to chat with the other tourists, another couple (in one plane) and 3 people in the other (not including their pilots, Mitch and Daniel). Really only got to chat with the other couple - the rest were happy keeping to themselves with their pilot Daniel being very attentive. Lunch for us consisted of chicken snitzel salad roll for Roger, I'd selected rice paper rolls (very nice and not as large as Roger's meal) and we were given a large chocolate muffin each.
Once we'd all eaten, Mitch gave a chat about the Batavia shipwreck and mutineers - was quite good - but I'm very grateful Rog and I were put onto (thanks Lesley) finding out about the 'full' story before we came out here.
On our return flight back to Geraldton, Katie flew us over the points of interest to the Batavia history - the soldier's 'fort', the long Island where the mutineers were executed, the reef the Batavia hit, Batavia's Graveyard etc. We enjoyed seeing it - put the reality of the terrible hardship faced by the survivors, that's for sure.
Was rather sad when our tour finished - wished it could've lasted longer!Read more