The Pacific Ocean overlooked by the International College of Management, Sydney (ICMS) campus in Northern Beaches, NSW, is teeming with ocean animals from the mammoth to the minute.
Whales, dolphins, little penguins and turtles are just a few of the delightful marine animals who live in the beautiful waters off the nine beaches within walking distance of ICMS, including Manly Beach which was recently rated by travel website Trip Advisor as the best beach in Australia.
ICMS’ close proximity to the ocean is a major attraction to students the world over. The many activities coastline living naturally offers – swimming, surfing, snorkelling, scuba diving, walking and shell seeking – are often free, and always good for the soul.
According to manlyaustralia.com, North Head, Manly, is a favourite whale-watching destination. Whales migrate along the NSW coastline from May through until the end of November, and there are many land based spots along the Northern Beaches that have spectacular views for whale watching. Although there are 43 species of whales that travel through Australian waters, the most common seen along the Northern Beaches are the humpback and southern right whales. A fantastic way to see these mammoth beauties up close is to take a whale watching boat tour, which are available from Manly.
As for penguins, Manly is home to the only mainland breeding colony of little penguins in NSW and are iconic in the local Manly area, living at Manly Wharf. According to www.beyondthewharf.com, Manly’s Little Penguin population once numbered in the hundreds, but has decreased to around 60 breeding pairs, and these are endangered and protected under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. The best time to visit them is at sunset when they return to their burrows, and they tend to nest every night between July and February.
The magical experience of swimming with dolphins frolicking off Manly Beach are reported by swimmers and surfers alike, and there are also regular reports of turtle sightings by swimmers.
Diving options are fantastic and Dive Centre Manly is just one of many operators who take divers beyond the shoreline and into a magical marine world with shore dives off Shelly Beach, Fairy Bower and Fairlight.
For more information on ICMS, click here: https://www.icms.edu.au/
https://www.manlyaustralia.com.au/info/thingstodo/whale-watching/
http://www.beyondthewharf.com.au/manly-wharf-little-penguins/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manly,_New_South_Wales
https://www.manlyaustralia.com.au/3416/manly-kayak-centre/
http://www.divesydney.com.au/dive/scuba-diving/
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