The romance of the sea takes on a whole new meaning when you get to not only sail the high seas, but also dive them. Especially when that diving involves a very personal interaction with very large, wild animals! Our final expedition of the season to the magical Islands of the Socorros had plenty of that interaction for everyone, guests and crew alike. I personally had one of my best dives ever, at the incomparable Roca Partida. There I spent a 45 minute dive alone in the company of a beautiful 9 meter whaleshark. So close you could touch her, so big you felt like you were swimming next to some pre-historic animal from a time long before your own. And the Giant Pacific Manta Rays, here for our last trip in the numbers we always hope for. 4 and 5 at a time circling the divers, in the beautiful clear, blue water surrounding the Boiler, spending not just 1 dive but the entire day with us, as they did with us the previous two days at Pta Tosca. Nothing else in the sea moves like a Giant Manta, an animal so big but moving as if you are watching it in slow motion. Probably all the old salty dogs back in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia would think I was crazy for diving with sharks and rays. They mostly prefer to stay on the boat, in the dry wheelhouse preferably, but of course all us divers know the truth. Mind you there is a lot to be said for a hot cup of coffee in a dry wheelhouse, the other reason why I love my job.
Talk at ya next time from the Sea of Cortez,
Captain Gordon Kipp
The old salty dogs back in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia would think I was crazy for diving with sharks and manta rays – captain's Log – June 5, 2010
