Kiana - Day 2, Part 2

After diving, we had a lovely lunch. It was really cool being out in the middle of the ocean, nothing but water all around. Right after lunch the new divers went diving, and the rest of us went snorkeling. There was a slight current, so we got dropped a bit away from the boat and basically just drifted back over the reef. In some places the coral was maybe a meter below the water, in other areas it drops down 20 meters to the ocean floor. This was a good chance to inspect some things a bit more leisurely, and of course you see a lot more color at the surface (the water absorbs light, starting with red. so you don't see as much color 20 meters below the surface.) The fish ranged in size from barely visible to over a meter in length (Giant Trevally are BIG!). All very friendly, except for the sharks which tend to run away from people. While snorkeling I dove down maybe 3-5 meters a bunch of times to take a closer look at things. Lots of clams, many different corals and a lot of fish. Saw a whole little school of parrot fish feeding on a small area of coral. But I never saw a fish eat another fish, strangely enough. Sure they do, but not something I managed to see.

By the time I was done snorkeling, both groups of new divers were back and it was time for the certified divers to go out again. So I guess that makes 7 dives in one day for the dive instructor...
This time we went through some underwater canyons. We were about 18 meters deep, almost at the ocean floor. And on either side the coral formations go up almost all the way to the surface. The walls of the formations are basically vertical, sometimes with large overhangs. 4 or 5 Giant Trevally were following us around for the whole dive, which the dive instructor said was quiet unusual. Interestingly enough there was litte coral or fish in the canyons themselves, probably not enough light. But as soon as we left a canyon, the whole wall all the way up to the surface would be covered by life again. I saw some huge clams. One was at least a foot long, with a wavy edge. You could look right into the thing - the opening were it pulled in water was probably an inch across. A nice vivid blue (at 18 meters anyway - no idea what color it actually is). So big they don't even snap shut all the way, just close a bit and pull back if you wave your hand over them. One of those could feed a family of 10, with leftovers...

Also saw a type of coral which is basically like a long, crooked wire. Only a centimeter or two thick, round, and sticking out a good 1 - 1.5 meters from the coral wall. Amazing that it is strong enough to withstand the current.

At the end of this dive it was raining, which looked really cool from underneath the water (last picture).
After diving we had supper and just chilled. Went to bed early, since the next day was another 6:00 am start for diving before heading back.

Some more pictures: