Raoul Island diary January 2009
By Toby Shanley
Surrounded by around 1000km of ocean in every direction, the life of a Raoul Islander is largely affected by the great blue expanse around us. Raoul is a volcanic island that has risen from beneath the sea, and accordingly the ecological and physical make up of the island has been shaped by the ocean that engulfs it.
Me and the deep blue sea
The steep cliffs that define the outline of most of the island are an example of the immense erosive power of the continuous waves that crash on Raoul from every direction. Also the plants and animals of Raoul have had to fly, swim or be swept over the ocean to make this place their home. Raoul is placed almost halfway between NZ and the tropical islands of Tonga, therefore the journey that the species have made to get here has provided a unique mix of the products of temperate and tropical climates.
One wave...
And so our team also made the journey by sea at the start of last November. The trip was memorable for the abundance of sea life and for the tranquility of the sea that made the voyage all the more enjoyable. Since arriving on Raoul the ocean has been a giant playground for our team, whether it be snorkeling, swimming or surfing. The daily ritual of swimming after a hard days weeding is always much anticipated. Even though the sea temp is a warm 24 degrees, the clear crystal blue water is always refreshing.
More waves...
The Kermadecs are surrounded by NZ’s largest marine reserve and this makes the waters around Raoul a haven for sea life. While snorkeling around the island the sheer variety, abundance and colorfulness of the marine biota is overwhelming. I could list a number of the different species we see so regularly when snorkeling but it would be pages long. While sharks are always a concern due to their deadly reputation, our encounters have been more exciting than frightening. While watching the grace with which these amazing predators glide through their domain I think they are all too often misrepresented.
Surfing the waves
Beneath the waves there are certainly some hidden treasures of Raoul Island, above the water the waves themselves also provide lots of fun. The shifting sands and various swell directions of the beaches on the north side of the island provide some great surfing conditions.
While not everyone enjoys the mostly powerful hollow waves that are the norm, all of our team has enjoyed surfing the waves of Raoul (using either a surfboard, body-board or body-surfing).
The lifestyle on Raoul is almost as unique as the island itself and I’m imagining it’s going to be hard to leave. The work we do is definitely physically challenging but the rewards of island life and knowing that you’re helping to preserve such a beautifully unique place is well worth the effort.
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