Went on PVD's Aurelia today. Capt Jason, with Ambar, Quinn, and Ethan as DM's. Ambar jumped in around Bath and Tennis to take a look. Based on that we went further south to Paul's Reef. Ambar jumped in again and said it was just about 10 feet, so we were good to give a try. Two groups, first Ambar, second with Ethan. I was doing private guide service today for one diver, we were in the second group. About ten minutes the customer I was guiding and I were separated from the group. We both had lights we could both see, so we continued the dive. Sometimes the swell would keep us in the same spot, sometimes the swell would abate a little, and then we would drift north. At the end of the dive the swell was stronger than the current so it moved us south. Nevertheless we were on the reef the whole time, and at one point completely immersed in large school Spadefish, very cool. Finished the dive and surfaced. Apparently we were the only two to finish the dive today. Going to give it another shot again tomorrow. Sorry no pics.
The swell was so large it had a very long period, so the boat ride was actually very smooth. On the way in while up on the bridge sharing chocolate chip cookies with Jason, I spotted a huge baitball. Jason obliged by making a wide circle and getting in close, like a purse seiner. Very densely packed school of mullet. We couldn't necessarily see if they were being hunted or not. Sea temp 83f.
