Atlantis Dive Resorts
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Atlantis Azores Captain’s Report April 12 – 19, 2014
Tubbataha Itinerary
Weather: Sunny, Sunny, Sunny J with a whisper of a breeze from the NW
Seas: Kindly
Water Temp: 80 F / 28 C
Visibility 20+ meters
Log Entry by Capt’ Todd
A full boat this week, Hoorah! I’m just back from holiday, and during the two weeks I was away, the season changed for the better (it happens that fast around here) and the “fleet” arrived. We found absolutely beautiful conditions and a few more boats on scene than I remembered. We were joined this week by Chuck and his gang the “Scuba Docs’ Scuba Doos” consisting of his son Nat, Neal from Lake Tahoe, Sally and Dick, and lovely Joan, all from Maine. Our other guests included Woody (a frequent diver and liveaboard enthusiast and he’s doing TWO trips back to back with us), Erin (who I think will be joining the Scuba Doo’s after this trip), the ‘H’ family (David, Angela, Daniel and Ayesha) of Shanghai accompanied by veteran divers Daniel and Deb also from Shanghai and all with DECADES of dive experience in and around Asia. Rounding out our group this week were Aussies Darren and Dan.
Sunday we arrived at South Atoll mid-morning and went straight to my favorite spot, the Delsan Wreck. Today we had wonderful conditions with calm water and great viz, plus all the locals were present including the big school of jacks, sharks, the occasional solitary dog toothed tuna and several turtles. We encountered a heart-stopping sight between our dives as a MARLIN jumped up right in front of the boat with a large fish in its jaws! It jumped several times – and we were all jumping too! The rest of the day was spent at SW Wall and Triggerfish City where we’ve learned from experience to not get too close to those Triggerfish!
Monday dawned and on a hunch, we decided to stick around and give the Delsan Wreck one more visit in the morning and found it loaded with activity, probably even better than I’ve seen it before (if that’s possible). At lunchtime we ran north to the top of the South Atoll to Black Rock and found zero winds and smooth, glassy water. We stayed here for the rest of the day and into the following morning.
Tuesday morning after two dives at Black Rock, we ventured over to Ko ok, which is the scene of the infamous Navy ship grounding a short couple of years ago. It was our first visit there and as there is no mooring for us I kept the boat “live” offshore while the guests explored the site. They didn’t see any damage from the grounding to speak of, but they did see lots of sea life and pristine coral so I guess the reef’s recovering okay! Afterwards we ran up to the Malayan Wreck and got one dive in, as the conditions were a bit choppy. Seeking calmer waters we moved over to Amos Rock for the evening dive and a night mooring.
Wednesday was spent at Amos Rock, including a visit to the Ranger Station where the guests purchased Tubbataha t-shirts and rash guards. Staying in the area, we followed our land visit with several satisfying dives.
Thursday morning we headed out super early to insure a spot up north at Shark Airport, as I had heard chatter the previous day on the radio signaling a mass exodus up there by the other boats. We got there in time for a premium spot and saw some incredible marine action up around Terraces. What can only be described as a “gang” of hungry giant trevally and gray reef sharks were terrorizing a school of fusiliers up and down the reef and all around us, oblivious to everything but those tasty baitfish! We watched the show for quite some time, and some great video footage was had by some of our guests.
Friday Jesse Beasley Atoll was our final destination, as it was directly on the way to homeport. Our group got two dives in there with some fantastic wall encounters. Afterwards we continued our way back and were on the pier by 8pm. ‘Tricycles’ was the group’s place of choice that evening for a taste of Puerto Princesa “night life” to top off a great week…
Tubbataha Itinerary
Weather: Sunny, Sunny, Sunny J with a whisper of a breeze from the NW
Seas: Kindly
Water Temp: 80 F / 28 C
Visibility 20+ meters
Log Entry by Capt’ Todd
A full boat this week, Hoorah! I’m just back from holiday, and during the two weeks I was away, the season changed for the better (it happens that fast around here) and the “fleet” arrived. We found absolutely beautiful conditions and a few more boats on scene than I remembered. We were joined this week by Chuck and his gang the “Scuba Docs’ Scuba Doos” consisting of his son Nat, Neal from Lake Tahoe, Sally and Dick, and lovely Joan, all from Maine. Our other guests included Woody (a frequent diver and liveaboard enthusiast and he’s doing TWO trips back to back with us), Erin (who I think will be joining the Scuba Doo’s after this trip), the ‘H’ family (David, Angela, Daniel and Ayesha) of Shanghai accompanied by veteran divers Daniel and Deb also from Shanghai and all with DECADES of dive experience in and around Asia. Rounding out our group this week were Aussies Darren and Dan.
Sunday we arrived at South Atoll mid-morning and went straight to my favorite spot, the Delsan Wreck. Today we had wonderful conditions with calm water and great viz, plus all the locals were present including the big school of jacks, sharks, the occasional solitary dog toothed tuna and several turtles. We encountered a heart-stopping sight between our dives as a MARLIN jumped up right in front of the boat with a large fish in its jaws! It jumped several times – and we were all jumping too! The rest of the day was spent at SW Wall and Triggerfish City where we’ve learned from experience to not get too close to those Triggerfish!
Monday dawned and on a hunch, we decided to stick around and give the Delsan Wreck one more visit in the morning and found it loaded with activity, probably even better than I’ve seen it before (if that’s possible). At lunchtime we ran north to the top of the South Atoll to Black Rock and found zero winds and smooth, glassy water. We stayed here for the rest of the day and into the following morning.
Tuesday morning after two dives at Black Rock, we ventured over to Ko ok, which is the scene of the infamous Navy ship grounding a short couple of years ago. It was our first visit there and as there is no mooring for us I kept the boat “live” offshore while the guests explored the site. They didn’t see any damage from the grounding to speak of, but they did see lots of sea life and pristine coral so I guess the reef’s recovering okay! Afterwards we ran up to the Malayan Wreck and got one dive in, as the conditions were a bit choppy. Seeking calmer waters we moved over to Amos Rock for the evening dive and a night mooring.
Wednesday was spent at Amos Rock, including a visit to the Ranger Station where the guests purchased Tubbataha t-shirts and rash guards. Staying in the area, we followed our land visit with several satisfying dives.
Thursday morning we headed out super early to insure a spot up north at Shark Airport, as I had heard chatter the previous day on the radio signaling a mass exodus up there by the other boats. We got there in time for a premium spot and saw some incredible marine action up around Terraces. What can only be described as a “gang” of hungry giant trevally and gray reef sharks were terrorizing a school of fusiliers up and down the reef and all around us, oblivious to everything but those tasty baitfish! We watched the show for quite some time, and some great video footage was had by some of our guests.
Friday Jesse Beasley Atoll was our final destination, as it was directly on the way to homeport. Our group got two dives in there with some fantastic wall encounters. Afterwards we continued our way back and were on the pier by 8pm. ‘Tricycles’ was the group’s place of choice that evening for a taste of Puerto Princesa “night life” to top off a great week…
