This warship was sunk as an artificial reef by the Mexican authorities about eight to ten years ago. Sadly they removed [...]]]> Yesterday, Thursday May 20th, I was in my office, and I was conducting two wreck dives on a pre WWII US Warship that was sold to the Mexican Government (name unknown) not far from here.

This warship was sunk as an artificial reef by the Mexican authorities about eight to ten years ago. Sadly they removed the guns, but opened up the ship to divers by cutting penetration holes all around the ship. Magic!! Whatever she is called, she looks glorious in her new colours of black coral, encrusting sponges of all colours, that literally festoon the ship.

She is twin screwed, and twin ruddered, all of which are still in position, and offer so much in the way of photography. She is about 11m/36ft to the upper decking, and sits upright on the sand at a depth of 23m/76ft. So this beautiful wreck is for every diver, including juniors of a young age.

The viz was about 18-20m/60-66ft, the water warm, with so much in the way of marine life. Huge File Fish, Cortez Angels, free swimming and hidden Morays, fair sized to large Grouper. The list is too long to mention. Between dives we went off to a nearby island, and had our lunch/surface interval. There, there is a bay that comes straight ouf a Jamaican travel brochure. Just beautiful!!

Then it was back to the wreck for the second dive, which was equally glorious to say the least. On the return to shore, and after off loading the dive gear, tanks, BCD’s etc, just as I was about to wave the boat off, there it was, some kilometer (3/4 mile) offshore, a large black roundish fin. I did a double take, got …

We all scrambled back into the boat, mask, snorkel and fins in hand and were snorkeling with a 4m/13ft baby whale shark some minutes later. No one, including myself had a underwater camera with them, and so I managed only to get one shot off of this spotted youngster before gently sliding into the water with her.

We had I suppose some 35 to 40 minutes, but it was worth it and the workout that went with it for sure. She represents the first whale shark of the season here, but she is about the 15th or 16th that I have had the sheer utter pleasure of being in the water with over the last six months. Just another day in my office!!

I think that will be the last good dive for myself for about two weeks as I am starting an Instructor Development Course starting this coming Wednesday, May 26th. Then it is out and out teaching for eight days, plus then two days of exams for my Candidates. I wish them all well for their IDC and afterwards in their diving careers!!

I have finally managed to get some of the pictures off of the Flash Card, and wanted to post a couple of them here – these were taken in July mid-way between San Bruno and Isla San Marcos.

The [...]]]>

This is a Fin that breached just off of the bow of Daedalus.

I have finally managed to get some of the pictures off of the Flash Card, and wanted to post a couple of them here – these were taken in July mid-way between San Bruno and Isla San Marcos.

The picture, as usual, do not do the experience justice, but needless to say we had about 8 to 10 adult and juvenile Fin Whales all around us.

Several times we have snorkelers, one as young as 3 1/2, in the water looking for them. Unfortunately, even though they came pretty close to Daedalus (our Panga), they were smart enough to avoid the snorkelers.

Breaching just off Isla San Marcos. This kind of view was all around us.

At the same time, we had an amazing aerobatic display of Mobula in schools of well over 100. These the snorkelers did end up getting right in the middle of. They were able to see the Mobula come right up, within inches, and leap and flip out of the water.

After this experience, we headed to the Northern point of San Marcos and snorkeled with the enormous Sea Lions that live in a permanent rookery on a small group of pinnacles that break the surface.

After a long afternoon, we began to head back to San Bruno when we, again, encountered the Fin Whales. The Fin Whale is the second largest animal (after the Blue Whale) and can easily be identified by the large white patch, right side, lower jaw; this kind of asymmetry is rare in the natural world, but considered normal in the Fins.

The white jaw is clearly visable allowing us to identify the species as: Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus)

These sightings are becoming more common to us, the more we dive these new locations. San Bruno is about 20 minutes North of Mulegé and is due West of Isla San Marcos. We are finding that leaving Daedalus there and using San Bruno as a launch pad to the islands, as well as Isla Tortuga, is providing a real benefit to us (and our clients). The diving is varied, we have a lot of pelagic life found in the channel, the small marina is perfect for launching, while the town itself is small and peaceful.

Another one that came within feet of Daedalus

I hope you enjoy the photographs – some of which were taken by Ash & John Coady who were on the boat with us, along with their two children.