I'll write a full trip report asap. But here's the Whale Shark story...
After a storm blew through (the same one that hit Haiti I think), we had to dive the *other* (East) side of the island due to rough surf at the regular sites. We had finished our 2 tank morning dives and were on our way to Gibbs Cay for an afternoon of BBQ, playing with sting rays, and to sample some of Smitty's (the DM)famous Conch salad (several of us went conch diving with him - that was pretty cool. Talk about FRESH!!) Anyway.....
Suddenly he yells WHALE SHARK!!!! because he could see one on the surface. Needless to say, the frenzy of people jumping off our boat from every direction got the attention of the other dive boats in the area that rushed to see what was going on. I wish I had not even wasted my time looking for snorkel, booties and fins - I only needed a mask for this rare opportunity. I know the boat had not even come to a complete stop before people started jumping off. I didnt see her during her first "pass", but we all got back on board, she was spotted again and once again we all jumped in. Virtually indescribable....all these divers (at this point dozens) perched on the edge of the boats yelling "there she is, over there!!!" and with wild abandon jumping in for a chance to see her under water.
Amazing. 25-30 feet long by all estimates. Dozens of us had the opportunity to swim with her in between her going deep and coming back to the surface to feed. I'm guessing 10+ minutes? Hard to tell when you are actually LIVING a National Geographic moment
Whale Shark, Manta Rays, Eagle Rays, Sting Rays, schools of Barracudas, Sea Horses, Flying Gurnards (sp?), Bat fish, biggest dang Green Moray I've ever seen.....FANTASTIC trip!!
After a storm blew through (the same one that hit Haiti I think), we had to dive the *other* (East) side of the island due to rough surf at the regular sites. We had finished our 2 tank morning dives and were on our way to Gibbs Cay for an afternoon of BBQ, playing with sting rays, and to sample some of Smitty's (the DM)famous Conch salad (several of us went conch diving with him - that was pretty cool. Talk about FRESH!!) Anyway.....
Suddenly he yells WHALE SHARK!!!! because he could see one on the surface. Needless to say, the frenzy of people jumping off our boat from every direction got the attention of the other dive boats in the area that rushed to see what was going on. I wish I had not even wasted my time looking for snorkel, booties and fins - I only needed a mask for this rare opportunity. I know the boat had not even come to a complete stop before people started jumping off. I didnt see her during her first "pass", but we all got back on board, she was spotted again and once again we all jumped in. Virtually indescribable....all these divers (at this point dozens) perched on the edge of the boats yelling "there she is, over there!!!" and with wild abandon jumping in for a chance to see her under water.
Amazing. 25-30 feet long by all estimates. Dozens of us had the opportunity to swim with her in between her going deep and coming back to the surface to feed. I'm guessing 10+ minutes? Hard to tell when you are actually LIVING a National Geographic moment
Whale Shark, Manta Rays, Eagle Rays, Sting Rays, schools of Barracudas, Sea Horses, Flying Gurnards (sp?), Bat fish, biggest dang Green Moray I've ever seen.....FANTASTIC trip!!
