Real Time Blue Manta Review: Banda Sea 9 – 19 Sept 2019

[billt4sf]

SCHOOLs OF HAMMERHEADS!

LARGE numbers. We saw maybe 40? but it was murky. Others saw more, or multiple schools. they are here in big numbers.

hard to get on and off the BM into the tenders though. not good. Kudos to the amazing crew!

- Bill

 

[outofofficebrb]

WOOP! I need photos! Also, please send me some of those hammie vibes - I will need it for Oct!

 

[Mike Veitch]

Yep, it’s a murky cold water. Nothing like Cocos, the capital scalloped hammerheads of the world.

My buddy skipped the last dive yesterday because of getting cold. I hope I can keep up with another day of cold diving on 5mm. I wish I brought my 7mm. Begin to dislike this trip.

Whats the temp?

 

[billt4sf]

Whats the temp?

It has varied, as low as 24 on Alor and as high as 27.

The HH site as been pretty consistently 25.

I am wearing three upper layers and one lower layer of Sharkskin *and* a thick hood and I'm fine.

- Bill

 

[outofofficebrb]

It has varied, as low as 24 on Alor and as high as 27.

The HH site as been pretty consistently 25.

I am wearing three upper layers and one lower layer of Sharkskin *and* a thick hood and I'm fine.

- Bill

Super helpful. Thank you!

 

[Dan]

Finally saw schooling hammerheads ~ 50 of them in murky (50’ vis), 117’ (35m) depth, ~75F (24C) on 6th hammerhead dives.

We’ll do one more dive today & 5pm (4th dive of the day) then move on to the next site.

 

[billt4sf]

MORE HAMERHEADS!

We saw a school at 25m, about 25 individuals that we could make out. While we were hooked-in, a large snake decided to hunt right next to my buddy! He was a bit distracted to say the least.

We figured the show was over, but on the way up, at about 11 - 12m, a smaller school -- maybe 10 -12 individuals that we could make out - swam by us and checked *us* out! Several came within a few meters, affording a VERY clear view of several of them. They were clearly curious about us, and two or three of them pausing for several seconds swiveling their heads around, looking me right in the eye, as tif thinking "What is *that* thing?"!

Awesome dive -- which, BTW started out with me losing my mask on the roll (the DM dived for it and got is -- he said because he saw the blue strap!) and Emily's waistband came undone - which he also fixed. Looks like I need to do some fund-raising for tips!

25 deg C

- Bill & Emily

 

[chillyinCanada]

@Dan, after you are suited up but before a dive pour some warm water into your suit at the neck both front and back. Do it every time that you suit up.

It's not a cure but it should still help quite a bit.

Remember not to let yourself get cool between dives either.

 

[Dan]

@Dan, after you are suited up but before a dive pour some warm water into your suit at the neck both front and back. Do it every time that you suit up.

It's not a cure but it should still help quite a bit.

Remember not to let yourself get cool between dives either.

Thanks for the tips! Will do it tomorrow.

 

[Jay]

Every group that went out today saw hammerheads. Our group was 4 out of 4.

Amazing!!!!!