Check out some of the underwater video clips below by clicking on the images. All movies were filmed by Tim at Julian Rocks, Byron Bay.

Movies are in WMV (Windows Media) format and require a suitable player. You can download a free Windows version or Mac version or VLC Media Player.

Byron SCUBA Zoo

Experience Byron Bay’s fantastic underwater world and meet the locals. Go through the seasons and see it all. A short overview of the high diversity of marine life that Julian Rocks, Byron Bay has to offer.

Click on the image to have a look at this Byron SCUBA Zoo

Movie size: 4.6 MB Length of movie: 2 minutes 40 seconds.

Wobbegongs

Three different species of Wobbegongs are sighted all year round at Julian Rocks: the Spotted Wobbegong (Orectolobus maculatus), the Dwarf Ornate (Orectolobus ornatus) and the Ornate Wobbegong (Orectolobus halei).

Click on the image to have a look at these wobbegongs "frolicking" about.

Movie size: 1.4 MB Length of movie: 52 seconds

Tall-Fin Batfish

(Platax teira)

Easily identified by the dark spot on their bellies, schools of Tall-fin Batfish can frequently be seen drifting in and out around Julian Rocks. Most of the time they hover, mid-water, in large schools. They are great to watch during safety stops.

Click on the image to have a look at the Batfish at Julian Rocks.

Movie size: 1.1 MB Length of movie: 44 seconds

Manta Ray

(Manta birostris)

The Manta Rays that visit Julian Rocks come in all different wingspans and they seem to prefer the warm waters during late Summer, early Autumn. Those filterfeeders are completely harmless and are beautiful to watch while feeding or just swimming past.

Click on the image to have a look at some Manta Magic.

Movie size:1.9 MB Length of movie: 1 minute 15 seconds

Trumpetfish, yellow colour variation

(Aulostomus chinesis)

This fish is very easily identified. Sometimes they hang vertically in the water, sneaking up on their prey of small fish. Although the yellow form is seen more often around Julian Rocks the normal form (brown with a spotted tail) can be found here too.

Click on the image to have a look at Trumpetfish showing off.

Movie size: 990kB Length of movie: 35 seconds

Anemone Fish

(Amphiprion sp.)

Those little fish can be seen darting in and out of their anemone. Sometimes they are sharing their home with other little creatures such as porcelain crabs and in summer they hide their orange egg mass nearby. Several different species are found at Julian Rocks.

Click on the image to have a look at this Anemone Fish

Movie size: 1 MB Length of movie: 35 seconds

Sea Urchins

True, an unexpected close encounter with a sea urchin can be painful, but sea urchins are underappreciated. They keep our reef’s algae under control and therefore play an importantecological role. Sea urchins are closely related to seastars and at least as beautiful. Different colours, their spikes short, long or none at all: have a closer look next time.

Click on the image to have a look at a selection of sea urchins have to offer.

Movie size: 844 kB Length of movie: 30 seconds

Yellow-Tail Kingfish

(Seriola lalandi)

Kingfish are fast pelagics that regularly hang out at Julian Rocks, generally in the deeper end at the Cod Hole. Sometimes they are hunting and divers see them zooming around in small schools, also in the shallows.

Click on the image to have a look at some Kingfish hunting

Movie size: 1.1 MB Length of movie: 45 seconds

Moray Eels

Looking verocious when they approach with their mouths open and teeth hanging out, this is how a moray eel tries to catch your smell. They can’t see very well. Julian Rocks must be offering a very comfortable place for morays as you can see different species on a single dive, sometimes even sharing a single lair.

Click on the image to have a look at five different species of moray eel.

Movie size: 1.4 MB Length of movie: 50 seconds

Smooth Stingray

(Dasyatis brevicaudata)

The Smooth Stingray or Bull Ray appears around Julian Rocks at the beginning of summer. This ray is the largest stingray in the world and It can have a wingspan of 2 meters. Moving its body in a wave-like motion it is almost as impressive as the manta ray, but less curious.

Click on the image to have a look at this Bull Ray

Movie size: 1.7 MB Length of movie: 1 minute

Grey Nurse Shark

(Carcharias taurus)

The grey nurse shark has a robust, fusiform shape. The colouring is light brown, with dark spots scattered over the body. Its ferocious appearance made people think the Grey Nurse was a maneater, with needless slaughter as a result. They are now considered harmless unless antagonised.

Grey nurse sharks visit Byron Bay from May until September.

Click on the image to see a Grey Nurse Shark swim around the Cod Hole.

Movie size: 320kB Length of movie: 24 seconds

Hawksbill Turtle

(Eretmochelys imbricata)

Because of their special blood chemistry and the ability to store oxygen in blood and muscle tissue, hawksbill turtles can remain underwater for long periods of time. When they sleep they can stay under for up to two hours. Together with the loggerhead turtle and green turtles, hawksbill turtles are regularly seen at Julian Rocks.

Click on the image to see an Anemone Fish fighting a Hawksbill Turtle.

Movie size: 500kB Length of movie: 38 seconds

Leopard Shark

(Stegastoma fasciatum)

The juveniles of this shark species have a distinct zebra-like banding pattern, hence its other common name : zebra shark. As the animals gets older the stripes change into dark spots. This shark has a long tailfin and can be seen around Julian Rocks in the summertime.

Click on the image on the left to watch the leopard shark swim around at Julian Rocks.

Movie size: 532kB Length of movie: 40 seconds

White-spotted Eagle Ray

(Aetobatus narinari)

White-spotted eaglerays can be seen around Julian Rocks all year round. Swimming slowly, their long tail trailing behind them. These rays are seen on their own or swimming in a small group. The spotted pattern on the pointy "wings" might vary in different individuals from spots all over to only a few spots on the wing-tips.

Click on the image on the left to see two eagle rays appearing from behind the Cod Hole.

Movie size: 452kB Length of movie: 41 seconds

Octopus

The octopus has, just like its Cephalopod family members the cuttle fish and the squid, an amazing ability to change colour with the help of chromatophores and so called reflector cells. Not only can they use this skill to blend in with the surroundings, it also plays an important role in communicating with other octopus and to intimidate predators.

Click on the image to have a look at this octopus’ display, while hunting in the Nursery.

Movie size: 1 MB Length of movie: 1 minute 8 seconds