Wind & Calm
09 June 2013 | Proividencia, Columbia
Mark
The wind has been climbing over 20 kts every night, but only a scattered shower, no real squalls. During the day it is sunny with lots of clouds, some rather threatening, but again only a rare sprinkle. But the wind continues in the high teens - enough to develop white caps even through the anchorage. This is predicted to last through Thursday (with more squalls) before calming down. We were worried about trying to hookah in this much wind but were determined to try it, so we went to the lee of Santa Catalina in fairly close to shore. I had my doubts as we loaded everything in the dink, but as soon as we turned the corner, it was dead calm. What a difference! We anchored down current, as we always do, so that we swim against the current first and then back with it, but there was so litle current or wind it didn't matter. The area was neither large nor deep (~20' average) but it had nice coral and great fish. Much of the coral had this seaweed like growth on it. It made it much less attractive to us, but didn't seem to bother the coral or the fish. Maybe like the mangrove roots, the seaweed growth acts like a nursery?? In any event, there were lots of fish of all sizes. We saw a couple different nice sized puffer fish peaking out of their hidey-holes. Unfortunately there were a few lion fish as well, but only a few. They do not seem to be taking over as everyone fears. Many large grey angels, one of whom just swam right up to me. I floated calmly and he came within a couple inches of my mask, looking right at me with both eyes. I do love them. There were many dinner sized yellow tail snapper (but it is a national park so no fishing or spearing). We saw a couple good sized lobster, but they were too far into their hidey hole that I didn't even attempt to try grabbing one (also not allowed). Encouraged by that dive, we took the dink out near Morgan's Head, which is the corner of Santa Catalina and windier. Again anchoring in the lee, we had another great dive. Here the coral was even bigger and the water deeper. Huge stacks of many different kinds of coral formed jumbled structures that rose from the sand floor 30'+ nearly to the surface. The piled up nature of the coral created millions of hidey holes and some actual caves, a few big enough to swim into. This coral had less seaweed on it and lots of soft coral and sponges as well. We were down for a total of about two hours between the two sites. It was a great afternoon. Back at the boat, we cleaned the hookah and gear. I had a beer and retired to the hammock while Deb showered. After a short nap, I'm ready to make cocktails and then dinner. Tomorrow is some kind of holiday, but we haven't heard what sort of activities to expect.