Just about two years ago now I was scuba certified – I was completely scared about going into the deep water considering before that point I had never swam in the open. Now I cannot believe how comfortable I have become in the water! This past week I spent time in Maui and the surrounding islands for a scuba trip – in all I did 10 dives all around now up to 48 dives. It was incredible – beautiful island, whale season, and yummy Hawaiian fish and pineapple. I did many of the typical dives in that area – Lanai and the Cathedrals where you swim through caverns, Molokini creater, and Turtle Town. I saw animals I never saw before - a group of dolphins and a big manta ray! I even got down deeper than ever before – 121 feet and saw lobsters. I went on a whale watching excursion and saw a whale breach out of the water, and saw many more as I went to scuba diving spots. It was so fun to hear the whales under the water!
However, what is most memorable about the trip is the most adventurous thing I have ever done in my life – swim with sharks. On several of the dives I saw reef sharks – it may sound strange but surprisingly I am not afraid of sharks under the water. Two years ago I would think this is crazy. But – I would be more nervous to be snorkeling or surfing and see a shark (a human must look like food under the water to a shark used to looking at turtes). My experience has been as a scuba diver, sharks generally are just curious and leave you alone –as long as I was not on a shark feeding dive which I still do not think I am ready for!. The reef sharks do not look as menacing – that was until I saw Hammerheads and I think Galapagos sharks! Off the coast of Maui is an island called Molokai. It is know for the bigger species and rough water getting there (I got sea sick on the boat!). It is only for Advanced divers due to the challenges getting in and out of the water and the depth. The first dive I saw the hammerhead – they look like a shark slinky underwater when they swim! Then on the second dive, as the group was coming up another group of sharks came over to check us out – they were either grey or galpagos sharks swirling around us. All I can say is that they looked like the sharks you would see on Discovery Shark week. Getting back into the boat was a big challenge due to the waves - but was worth it.
Super fun – but next time I will go to the Caribbean. I like the water alittle warmer than Hawaii! I had on a 5 mil and hoodie but over 5 days the water can be really cold!
However, what is most memorable about the trip is the most adventurous thing I have ever done in my life – swim with sharks. On several of the dives I saw reef sharks – it may sound strange but surprisingly I am not afraid of sharks under the water. Two years ago I would think this is crazy. But – I would be more nervous to be snorkeling or surfing and see a shark (a human must look like food under the water to a shark used to looking at turtes). My experience has been as a scuba diver, sharks generally are just curious and leave you alone –as long as I was not on a shark feeding dive which I still do not think I am ready for!. The reef sharks do not look as menacing – that was until I saw Hammerheads and I think Galapagos sharks! Off the coast of Maui is an island called Molokai. It is know for the bigger species and rough water getting there (I got sea sick on the boat!). It is only for Advanced divers due to the challenges getting in and out of the water and the depth. The first dive I saw the hammerhead – they look like a shark slinky underwater when they swim! Then on the second dive, as the group was coming up another group of sharks came over to check us out – they were either grey or galpagos sharks swirling around us. All I can say is that they looked like the sharks you would see on Discovery Shark week. Getting back into the boat was a big challenge due to the waves - but was worth it.
Super fun – but next time I will go to the Caribbean. I like the water alittle warmer than Hawaii! I had on a 5 mil and hoodie but over 5 days the water can be really cold!
1 comments:
I can't believe you got that whale shot--so awesome.
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