A report from "The Night Snorkeler!!!"

parafins · Post by **parafins** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 12:47 pm

Sat.July,21st.Point of entry: Big Maho Bay,N/E side.
I entered the water with a dive light and immediately saw a 5 inch reef squid. I put my finger out and touched it. When I tried to touch it again, it swam away. Shortly afterward, it returned to follow me for a short while. I came across so many sea cucumbers that I gave up trying to count them! Next, I came across a lobster hiding under a rock. He never came completely out from his hiding place. I moved on to a sea star (?) with long skinny legs. It appeared to be hairy. Could this be some type of brittle sea star? As I looked up a barracuda appeared near the water's surface. He seemed to be standing guard. Then I looked down. A queen conch with eyes extended out was settled on the reef. Next, I saw a beautiful dark pink and red shell with its inhabitant attached to a rock. The shell was possibly 5 inches long and 2 inches wide. I also saw many squirrel fish swimming about.

At that point, I headed back to shore. To my surprise, I spotted a hawksbill turtle which appeared to be in a trance. His back feet were planted on the ocean floor and his upper body was floating at an angle. He seemed startled by the light and swam away. I followed him for a short time, and then I returned to shore pleased with my discoveries.

Parafins...

TIP: If you do some type of night snorkel, make sure to have a light source on the beach to direct you back to shore.

Tracy in WI · Post by **Tracy in WI** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 4:41 pm

Cool report Parafins! I've always thought I should do a night snorkel but feared that I would get freaked out over the dark ocean and then attacked by no seeums on the return to my car!

Any problem with the bugs?

Tracy

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 5:37 pm

Very cool! No eels?

Cheers, RickG

parafins · Post by **parafins** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 10:22 pm

Nope!I didn't have any problem with bugs. I arrived at Maho around 8:00 p.m. I didn't see any eels on either of my night snorkels. Yes, I did one more at Hawksnest. I will report on that soon

Parafins

sea-nile · Post by **sea-nile** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 8:22 pm

That sounds awesome!
I hope that one of the SIX on the beach will do that with me!

parafins · Post by **parafins** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 9:13 am

Hi! It's me Parafins.I thought I would bring this back from last year in case any of you would like to try a night snorkel.

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 10:53 am

Does it make a difference if there's a full moon? Better or worse do you think?

wwbbd · Post by **wwbbd** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 11:22 am

Thanks for bringing this back parafins, we are definitely interested in a night snorkel. Also love the TIP--I don't think I would have thought about needing to find our way back to our stuff on the beach!

parafins · Post by **parafins** » Wed Aug 18, 2010 11:44 am

Once again I thought I would post for those of you that are willing to give night snorkeling a try...

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