Thanksgiving dive at Marineland

[MaxBottomtime]

We arrived early to beat the heat, but it was already warming up at 7:30. The swell models all call for high surf the next few days so we wanted to get in a dive just in case they're correct. Thankfully, the waves held off for a few hours. Our swim from the cove to the point was relatively easy thanks to a nice surface current. The kelp was leaning over so I knew we were in for a bit of a rough dive. I had hoped the current was not deep, but we had to fight it all the way back in. We didn't have time for much photography but we were thankful to make it all the way back to the exit with air to spare.
We hung out at Ted's Pinnacle for awhile, taking turns using the three cameras we carried, then fed Abby on our way back. I felt like Elaine Jobin during the exit.

Our Lady of the Garden

Hopkin's Rose

Merry shot some ambient light kelp photos before descending.

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[FrankPro1]

Nice Vid! Looks like it was an awesome dive despite the strong current.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I was dreading having to make a surface swim back to the cove. I was so happy to see the end of the reef, knowing we had enough air to make it back. We dropped about thirty feet from the statue, but I recognised a piece of metal that's been down there for years. It's thirty feet east of Ted's Pinnacle. I planned to go shallow toward the point before heading northeast but the kelp was difficult to swim through when it's laying down. We stayed at 60-45 feet most of the way back.

 

[fisheater]

Thanks for posting.

I've got to get down there when it's divable one of these days.