A report from "The Night Snorkeler!!!"
Posted: 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.
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.