After the boat dives this morning, Paul took care of the free flowing in my regulator, and then Ralph, Joe, and I headed out for a leisurely dive on the house reef. It was a really nice dive. I was such a relief not to have the regulator constantly leaking air, and I felt a little more comfortable heading deeper along the drop-off on the reef. This time, we headed to the north, along the edge of the reef, until we reached the sunken boat at the next resort. It was easier taking pictures along the wall than it was on the flatter reefs we’d been doing.

Fairy Basslet

For our final dive of the day, Ralph and I did a dusk dive. We were both looking forward to it, for different reasons. I like dusk dives because it’s still light enough to see, but your lights bring out the colors of the reef. Ralph was looking forward to it because he was anticipating the change of environment. Schools of smaller fish flow past you into the reef, as they head for their nocturnal hiding spots.

Sponges and little fish

We perched over a coral head, swarming with grunts, and then we looked away and they weren’t there anymore, replaced by a couple of other fish that looked like they were in the early phases of a courtship.

After we came out and tidied up, it was time for Paul’s spaghetti supper. It was a good end to the day.

Update: More pictures here