The Marine and Maritime excursion that I attended in Year 11 2020 was personally, an absolute highlight of the Marine course.

The excursion took us down to South Cottesloe beach, where we were allowed to go snorkelling off the beach. The early morning breeze crossed with a light ray of sunshine made for the perfect temperature - the water was still glistening from the rising sun.

While I waited for my groups turn to go out into the water, I took the opportunity to relax on the soft sand that cushioned the beach. Once it was time for my group to snorkel, I rushed to grab a pair of fitting fins and some clear goggles and rushed straight for the open water.

The first 20 metres were mostly a forest of seaweed. But once I was far enough offshore, I could see a beautiful sight of a vast ecosystem with a variety of fish, corals, sponges and crustaceans of all different species. It was a visual spectacle. On the surface, the swell was beginning to increase, and water was becoming choppy but beneath was a whole different world untouched by man, a peaceful, silent, glamorous ecosystem, teeming with life.

Tejay Ardagh, Yr 12