Peter learnt to dive in 2001 at JSSADC Bovisand and attained his Ocean Diver qualification. Shortly after this he was voted in as the Chair of the RAF Brize Norton Club at an AGM which he didn't even attend, a position he still holds. He returned to Bovisand in 2002 to qualify as a Sports Diver and then in 2005 for the Advanced Nitrox course. Dive Leader (2003) and Advanced Diver (2004) Qualifications followed. Peter has been on several expeditions to Ascension Island, Cyprus and many UK destinations. Never one to turn down any dive, he is reputed to dive a puddle given the chance. Stoney Cove is his favoured winter site with fortnightly visits, despite the slightly cool water. He is looking forward to diving warm water and hoping to especially see manta rays on this trip. His OU degree in Earth Sciences with honours in Oceanography have wetted his appetite for this region.

The first dive of the day saw us back to 30m followed by an ascent to 15m or 20m for fish and coral surveys.  One of the most notable features, which almost all saw, was the very large shoals of large humpback parrot fish – probably totalling about 100 in some shoals.  As we were driven into the channel between the 2 reefs the drift speed rose and we enjoyed a roller coaster of a ride with turtles and numerous species in the shallower water.

 We were back in the water within 2 hours for a drift along the outer reef, this proved to be a challenging dive with strong currents coming over the reef top which made depth control and staying close to the reef difficult. It was made worthwhile though as most divers got shark spots as a white tip reef shark of approximately 2m length was swimming along the reef.

 Then third dive was cheeky little drift along a reef next to the local resort pier.  Some divers experienced a difficult time trying to stay on the reef while others managed to find a sweet spot to settle and take time to survey fish and take snaps.  Several sharks were seen and the more experienced divers took note of the topography for night dive planning.

 Light sabres at the ready, it was time for the first night dive of the expedition and twelve divers were up for a return to Helenghili Reef.  A truly mellow dive for all with biolumiscent plankton making to help light the dozing inhabitants of the reef, including a couple of truly Giant Grouper and a Stingray.  However, this natural light source proved surplus to requirements when “Supernova David Bewick” turned up turning night into day and frying the retinas of every living thing within a kilometre radius!

Midnight Snapper

Photo - David Ball