Absolutely fabulous dive at the bridge today! An Advanced Open Water student and I first visited the newest wreck where there had to be six to eight lobsters of varying sizes. From there we headed north to back under the bridge where there was a medium-sized flying gurnard picking about in the sand. At the channel there were the usual suspects of intermediate atlantic spadefish and parrots of several species. On the way back east we saw a BIG octopus half-way out of its hole going through its repertoire of colors. Wonderful light show! At the third set of pilings away from the beach two intermediate spotted eagle rays were searching in the sand. And now for the grand finale! A MANATEE came up to us just around the corner from the beach and slowly went 270 degrees around us, perhaps as curious about us as we were delighted to see it! Wow! What an incredible dive! I felt obligated to inform my student that not all of the bridge dives are like this. Water temperature was seventy-five. The vis was 15' to 20'. Our bottom was one hour, twenty minutes.
Announcement: I plan on having hotdogs and hamburgers with macaroni salad after the Sunday dive. High tide is at 3:01. We'll be at the park by at least 2:00 and enter the water at 2:30. Please let me know if you plan on coming so I have enough food. (masonhh@hotmail.com) Hope to see you there. Get in the water, Ham
