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Veinteseis.....the incredible dive and costa rican secret.Costa Rica, famous for sportfishing and diving in coco island. Recently it came to us via various fisherman, news of an offshore pinnacle. Finally i got a couple of friends together, got a boat and headed out there. 26 miles offshore. At a depth of 95ft at its shallowest point surrounded by sand at a depth of 130 - 140 ft " veinteseis" is no easy dive. We loaded up with ponies and dropped anchor. The current was ripping so when we did drop a rapid ascent was made. Once past 30ft the current prettty much dropped to nothing. All i can see is blue, then at about 50ft a wall of fish rise up out of the depths. Rainbow runners and snappers...but BIG snappers. once we hit bottom it suprised me to find that it is not a pinnacle barren rock "with fish" as suspected but and entire reef system. Schools of angels, butterfly fish and hundreds of crevally jacks and cubera snappers. What did suprise me aswell was the amount of green moray eels. I counted 12 in an area no bigger than 10 m sq. We made the first dive and completed our bottom time. Once back on board we started our 2 hour wait before repeating the smae profile. It was truly amazing pacific diving. On the surface whilst waiting we had a big school of dolphins hanging around which was cool. The only thing that would have made the day more perfect would have been a bit more sun! But hey... cant have everything! 2:38 PM - 1/4/2008 - comments {1} - post commentNew Year DivingOkay...new year....new season. The water is already starting to clear up which is great. Makes the diving even more fun. Saw the first green turtle of the season which i see as a good omen. There is definately something spicy in the water at the moment with octopus being spotted on more than three occasions in the throes of passion. Our instructors have even described it as literally rock moving! Im looking out for those rays right now, wirth so many currents and food being brought in im sure its any day now.2:27 PM - 1/4/2008 - comments {0} - post commentPlay TimeSurface intervals can sometimes be just as much fun as the dives themselves. We had recently had a humpback mother and calf hanging in the area but they had not been seen for a couple of weeks. hanging out after a dive we spot a whale about 150 ft away. Moving slowly in their direction looking hopefully for a sign of them. With nowarning about 50ft away of the bow the calf completely breaches. The mum starts rolling around and making a lot of noise. We stay well back and turn of the motors completely whilst we sit nback and enjoy the show. We don’t move for about 15 minutes whilst the calf continuallt htrows herself from the water and they both continue to play, oblivious of us watching in awe nearby. Managed to get some pictures and a short video which I’ll post shortly. Its amazing how close to shore they were. Obviously play time for the kids!10:54 AM - 11/9/2007 - comments {0} - post commentWhale songFinishing up OW2 with 2 students. Viz wasn't bad..about 35 ft. We were heading off the point of Punto Quepos at about 30 - 40ft when we start hearing a deep rumble. About 10 seconds later it sounds again but this time followed by the unmistakable sound of whales singing. Awesome. This goes on for about 6 mins. One deep and one higher pitched. When we hit the surface we find out that a cow and her calf had passed nearby. Definately a dive for the log book10:52 AM - 10/15/2007 - comments {0} - post commentSomething strangeIts always fun seeing something new when you are diving in the same places. It just adds something when you are diving with people that will actually appreciate it. I have already resigned myself to the fact that noone diving around here gets excited about nudibranchs as i do but I am determined in my classes to pass on my passion none the less. Ok....so maybe with something bigger I was thinking the enormity and excitement of discovering soemthing that according to books, was not meant to be in this area, might get my divers excited. However, as I have discovered whilst I have been teaching, everything is amazing on their first few trips in the water, and subsequently one unique find is not going to be as impressive. I use for example a DSD I took out last week. Dropped onto a sand patch with about 15ft viz start the dive and I notice what looks like a ray. start pointing it out then realize thats its not a ray but a guitar fish. THis is definately one of those “where’s my camera” moments. Hang around it for about 3 minutes and continue the dive, plenty of fish and lobsters as we continue. Hit the surface and I cannot get the smile off my face. Back at the shop my student was definately more enthused about the lobsters and the parrotfish. At least we both took soemthing brilliant from the dive.10:51 AM - 10/1/2007 - comments {0} - post commentUnderwater CleanupQuepos Port cleanup. Dedicated a morning to trying to cleanup the port in Quepos. The first part of the morning we spent covering the sandy areas and didn't come up with much but then we decided to focus our efforts to dirctly under the huge pier. Spent the next hour or so slowly moving arounf each of the huge structures. It was incredible how much life was under there. Huge schools of grunts and lots of juvenile angels and wrasse. the bottom was so murky though. Our cleanup attempt had a good result and we managed to collect bags and bags of line, plus an old anchor and tyre. Well worth it. Probably have another go in a month or two! 9:00 AM - 9/1/2007 - comments {0} - post commentTwo budding photographers and some jacksTwo student photographers, a beautiful calm day and a dive site packed with cool stuff to see. The set up is easy, complete the underwater photography dive 1. All i have to do is guide everyone in the right direction and point out some good stuff. Trying to keep track of enthusiastic new photographers can be a bit fun though. They do tend to forget their direction and the fact that there is anyone else in the water the first time they have a camera in their hand! All good fun though Especially when wee get surrounded by a big school of green jacks being chased by some crevally jacks. HUGE Crevally jacks. Desperately trying to get a picture of these awesome fish was interesting.. if only they would slow down just for that one shot.1:00 PM - 7/28/2007 - comments {1} - post comment1...2...3...sharksCano Island, 2nd dive of the day. dropped onto a shallow sand patch and head out westerly direction. on descent i count one nurse and 1 white tip. 2 minutes into the dive another 2 white tips. Nice school of surgeon fish and a green turtle are hanging out on one boulder coral formation. another couple of sharks pass this is getting good.. and then i see it. So beautiful with a little plume above his head. A juvenile dragon wrasse. I'm trying to pass my enthusiasm onto the other divers but they just seem to interested in all the big stuff. Okay..he may only be about 2 inches but to me the avid macro diver i just love the little stuff. Don't get me wrong i enjoy the big stuff too....but size doesn't always matter!! ;-)10:17 AM - 7/12/2007 - comments {0} - post commentHola!!Hey scuba bunnies! Saying hi from the beautiful pacific coast of Costa Rica. Been in central America now for 4 years so it's definately home. I have been based in Manuel Antonio for 4 years so if anyone wants any info on diving in the current or anywhere else in central America just give me a buzz. I'll keep you posted with whats happening down here beacuse every day turns in something new!! Hasta la pasta mis amigos!! 8:59 AM - 6/12/2007 - comments {0} - post comment |
Description My dive life in Costa Rica Home User Profile Archives Friends Hangout Recent Entries - Veinteseis.....the incredible dive and costa rican secret. - New Year Diving - Play Time - Whale song - Something strange |