Sleeping parrot fish

Lie in this morning as we were diving the marine park. This meant that we had to have another guide with us from the park and he couldn’t arrive till gone 7.

As this is the only marine park in the area the diving was a lot more restricted than we are used to. No knives or gloves which is common but we were also limited to 50 minutes bottom time.

Diving was much better than on the trip so far with a lot more fish life to see and some coral.
David managed to clear the front of the inflatable with the results of the sprouts from last night. Very impressive considering he was in a wetsuit and we were outside as well.

Came back from the first dive to see that we had another crewmember. A pelican had landed on the boat and was having a break in the engine room for some reason. By the time I had got out of my suit and got the camera he had decided to leave and was floating around in the sea next to the boat. Shame as it would have been a great shot.

Dive before lunch was quite nice. Good to get on a reef for a change and see some of the reef fish. Last day dive wasn't that great with poor viz and low bright sun.

Night dive was god fun. Good days diving all told

Dive 15
Cabo Pulmo El Vencedor
Start time 8.48
Max depth 14.9m
Dive time 57 min
Temp 30

First dive in the marine park outside of La Pas. This was an old Tuna boat which had sunk. Not much of it left but some nice pieces or wreckage to bring the fish in.
Lots of porcupine fish in shoals and yellow sweetlips. Saw one green moray under a piece of the hull.
Some big groupers hanging out on the edge of the site in the blue. Lots of glass fish around parts of the wreck as well.
Not allowed to wear gloves in the park or carry a knife but at least we can sit on the sandy bottom. Also limited to 50 minutes bottom time.
Best dive of the trip so far even thought J had the camera off me for most of the dive shooting video.

Dive 16
Cabo Pulmo Bayo
Start time 12.28
Max depth 16.8m
Dive time 56 min
Temp 30

Another dive in the park. This time over a piece of the reef what had some coral on it.
Nice dive and good to be able to see some of the usual reef fish. Lots more porcupine fish but this time some golden groupers another sea horse and a nice turtle.
Spent most of the dive just going back and forth over the reef while drifting in the gentle current.

Saw lots more yellow sweetlips and a larger groupers. Also some fish that look a bit like John Dory but with a red top and bottom with large tendrils coming off the top and bottom fins.
Managed to put the SMB up on my own while being watched by David. Needed to make sure it worked after the stick I had given him for his poor attempts yesterday.
Good to see some coral and sponges for a change instead of boulders.

Dive 17
Cabo Pulmo El Cantil
Start time 16.06
Max depth 15.5m
Dive time 59 min
Temp 30

Started out in the squidgy and saw a load of fish on the surface so decided to drop in near them in case there was something big nearby with no luck. Went down and drifted onto the reef. This time the reef was made up of small gullies next to a platform of reef.
Lots of porcupine fish and a free swimming green moray when we first got down. Also lots of puffer fish of different colours and more surgeonfish.
Had the camera from John but not much to take photos of.
Viz wasn't too good either with the sun low in the sky making the water very bright.
An OK dive but not much to see. Still better than the diving at the beginning of the trip.

Dive 18
Cabo Pulmo Pinnical
Start time 18.51
Max depth 18.9m
Dive time 58 min
Temp 30

First night dive of the trip on a small island.
Down to the bottom with John’s camera. A fun dive with quite a bit to see. A couple of large green free swimming morays. Another moray that like to come out of its hole and have a look at the strobe. A few sea cucumbers out eating and a few zebra worms as well.
Lots of parrot fish settling in for the night but they hadn't created their protective bubble yet.
Did see some 4 foot long groupers asleep under some rocks. Big buggers and not something to disturb at night.
It was a bit difficult taking pictures with the strobe on as it just attracted the krill when on the sand bottom.
Nice night dive to end the day with.