Fiona Horne weaves her magic

Most people think just being out here on the water is magical, but today I'm going to meet someone who puts a little more magic into the equation - because she's a witch!

Fiona Horne is Australia's best known practising witch. I first encounter Fiona on a lapping shoreline, where I discover she's definitely not your Grimms Fairy Tale variety.

She's been practising witchcraft for 14 years - but Fiona is also a journalist, radio and TV personality, singer and writer…

And she's just released her third book on witchcraft. This one's especially for young witches looking for magical ways to cope with being a teenager.

In whatever spare time she has left… Fiona is a scuba diving fanatic - she's been hooked since she first took the plunge years ago.

"The first dive I saw 2 sharks, magnificent creatures, some divers never see a shark."

Somehow, Fiona's convinced me to go for a dive off Rye Pier on the Mornington Peninsula.

Now, I don't have my dive ticket, so Jane from A.B. Ocean Divers runs me through the basics… before we gear up for the depths.

I reckon Fiona's already working her magic, because I've ended up carrying her gear and mine. And it's a heck of a walk!

I've spent plenty of time on the water, but this is my first time under it - so I hope these fish are friendly…

As a witch, Fiona regards nature as sacred - and its easy to see why she's attracted to this mystical place beneath the waves.

Fiona also feels very at home behind the microphone. In one of her many incarnations, she was lead singer of the band Def FX for 7 years. They split up four years ago.. but Fiona's next goal is to go solo.

Our day ends as it began - quite surreal. Fiona introduces me to her pet snake Lulu, who can also be very charming…

Fiona and I discovered a wealth of marine life off Rye Pier, thanks to Jane and the fantastic people at AB Ocean Divers.

Give them a call for lessons, gear and tips on the best dive spots around Melbourne.