the seals of Isles of Shoals....

[STOGEY]

My personal (unpopular) philosophy on swimming with seals: if you swim with seals and you look pretty much like a seal in scuba gear guess what else thinks you look like a seal? *hint hint* Hopefully you see him before he sees you Additionally if all the seals are up on the rocks and you're in the water still that ought to tell you something

Ya the water is too cold for the seals.

 

[STOGEY]

something better left for the lawyers to hash out.

FTL

Freak the lawyers.

 

[Scuba-QC]

Give Seafari a call, they are out of Kittery, ME
207-439-5068

No luck at all....they only charter for the entire boat which cost $750...
I cancelled my trip...

Isles of Shoals will be for next year...

Thanks for all the infos...

 

[ClassAction]

something better left for the lawyers to hash out.

FTL

Freak the lawyers.

FTTD

 

[SadiesMom]

I just did a trip with Capt. Rob's 2 weeks ago and there were at least 100 seals jauled out on the rocks as we pulled into Duck Island. Most of them jumped into the water and surrounded the boat looking at us as though to say "What are you waiting for? Get in!!!" as we geared up. Water temp was 63 degrees, so it was plenty warm and vis was about 40 feet. I just got into about 7 feet of water and settled down in the kelp to wait. Within 5 minutes, I had a female copying every move I made (clapping, waving, barrel rolls, hiding in the kelp). Within 5 minutes, I had 5 seals cruising within 5-15 feet of me, checking me out and one snuck up behind me to nibble on my fins.

When you do this dive, you need to listen to the tips Capt. Rob gives you on how to do it. You have to do the dive alone and you *have* to let them come to you. If you chase them, you'll never see them. And if you splash, flail around or hit the surface of the water with your fins, they'll disappear and won't come back (that's a sign of danger to them). Again - Capt. Rob will give you all the tips - just listen and follow them and you should do just fine.

It's a GREAT dive and I highly recommend it.

 

[STOGEY]

Are you sure that it was a female seal following you around instead of a male seal?

 

[SadiesMom]

Are you sure that it was a female seal following you around instead of a male seal?

LOL - Well, I'm pretty sure anyway. The males and females seemed to look very different. The males were larger and had very blocky heads and rounder snouts. The females are smaller and sleeker. My little copycat seemed to be a female. Of course, it's not long past the pupping season, so they could've been young ones of either sex, I suppose.... especially the fin nibbler.

In any case, they are most definitely there and it's a fabulous dive. This was my second time doing it and I plan to make it an annual event.

 

[Scuba-QC]

LOL - Well, I'm pretty sure anyway. The males and females seemed to look very different. The males were larger and had very blocky heads and rounder snouts. The females are smaller and sleeker. My little copycat seemed to be a female. Of course, it's not long past the pupping season, so they could've been young ones of either sex, I suppose.... especially the fin nibbler.

In any case, they are most definitely there and it's a fabulous dive. This was my second time doing it and I plan to make it an annual event.

Happy to hear about the seals!
We finally booked with Captain Rob for labor day w-e afternoon dives. High tide is set around 12pm and low 6h41pm...hope our dives will be as nice as yours!

I think i'll dive with my hold fins...don't want any nibbler on my brand new volos..loll

If you , or any other peolple, have any suggestions or opinions about those dives and other dives in the area, It would be very helpful..

Thanks