A Plethora of Proficient Predators
09 June 2010 | Fakarava, Tuamotus
June 8
Awesome. There's a word used too often for too little. Well, think back to when it meant something. Three of us dropped in above the edge of a wall starting about 30 meters down, populated by a school of sharks, to ride the incoming tidal flow. During the dive, which brought us through the pass, around the corner and almost back to our anchorage, we saw a flight of four large eagle rays, carpeting schools of various kinds of fish, a lavishness of fish and coral in a profusion of species and one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. In and above a ravine to our left was a river of sharks. Jamie (Bamboozle) attempted to count what he could see at one point and got to 250. They were swimming into the current as we drifted by for ten to fifteen minutes. A flowing current of sharks as far as one could see in both directions that went on and on. Awesome.
Video isn't the best, but have the school of sharks plus others, white tip, black tip, grey and nurse, lots of Nassau grouper, giant Napoleon fish, the rays and flying over the bottom feet first. This place makes the Dogs in BVI seem like, ummmm, dogs. With ability to fill the scuba tank, would stay longer anyway as this is best diving, best snorkeling, I'll likely ever see, but really ought to move along.
Took Bristol Roses for a short snorkel after their arrival late afternoon for which they served me curried fish for dinner and plied me with rum. Since they will be suffering from an insufficiency of adult beverage until Tahiti, it was my own, but was delighted to share and, after all, it's the thought that counts. Again said goodbye to them forever. Anticipate meeting again in Tahiti.
Jack