Surge and sandstorm at Golf Ball Reef

[MaxBottomtime]

Merry and I have missed a few opportunities to dive during the past month. When we did go out, we had swells, fog, and poor visibility. The ocean looked pretty flat this morning, so we headed out around 5:30.

After pulling out of the garage, the fog began creeping in from the coast. It wasn't too thick, and the ocean was calm, so we motored to Golf Ball Reef. It was so calm that I coasted the last 120 feet to our coordinates and anchored right at the barrel without having to maneuver the boat. I was expecting great conditions. I was wrong.

The water got darker as we approached the bottom. Surge made it impossible to use my stage for photography. Just as well, as the sand was stirred up everywhere. Visibility was a dark three feet. I stuck it out long enough to get some bad photos.

 

[Esprise Me]

My buddy and I still chuckle over a dive shop employee on Maui who was adamant that it was undiveable that day because the viz was "only" 30 feet. I think of that also whenever your "bad" photos make my best ones look like crap. Thanks for sharing, as always!

 

[Akimbo]

My buddy and I still chuckle over a dive shop employee on Maui who was adamant that it was undiveable that day because the viz was "only" 30 feet.

Maybe it is if your job is to "mother hen" a dozen divers with unknown skill and experience? I was always happy if the vis was more than the length of my arm.

 

[geoff w]

Your idea of bad photos and mine are very different! And I mean that as a compliment

 

[MaxBottomtime]

It took a lot of work to remove the sandscatter.

 

[Johnoly]

... Visibility was a dark three feet. ...

Are you sure you didn't make a giant loop and were still diving at the marina docks?
Those octo picts are still really good !!

 

[MaxBottomtime]

The water looked better in the marina. When we got back in, I told Merry we should have done a dock dive.