Why just look at an aquarium - pt.3

[MapisM]

Ok folks, what about a 2012 forum meeting in Southern Sardinia, then?

A great period would be between May and June, when bluefin tunas are kind enough to visit these waters, and some of them are even kinder, allowing us (albeit unwillingly...) to taste their delicious meat!
In that period, aside from all the previous fishes which can always be spotted just snorkeling along the coasts, experienced divers can also try the very unique experience of swimming surrounded by hundreds of huge tunas. Below is a video which gives the idea.
And there's a lot to do and see also for non-divers, with a remarkable mix of gastronomy and road shows, music, exhibitions of local traditions, etc. That alone is worth the trip!

The gauntlet is thrown...

 

[BartW]

in my agenda are zero day's between may and june how about yours

great video MapisM,

good to see that the diver has released the "moon fish" (at 2.30)
is this a common fish in your area,
only this summer I have seen the first real one in Marseille,
but that was on the water surface near the boat, never seen one while diving,
impressive creature !!!

 

[thomshap]

Well, the quality of the video as such is not impressive, but I suppose you were at some distance from the subject, weren't you?
Otoh, the subject is indeed impressive!
Some friends of mine, after hundreds of dives, also in tropical seas, never had the opportunity to swim with a whale shark.
Actually, I also saw it just once, in the blue, rather far from us.
And unfortunately, we were on the bottom of an atoll pass with some strong current, so the local dive master didn't want to risk leaving the bottom to try and reach it...
Stunning animal indeed, anyway.

The problem with the Go-Pro is it has a curved lens on the case, bit like our eyes, it's great for clearing itself from splashes so ideal for surfing but rubbish at focusing underwater, bit like us.

That was an amazing experience, only problem is that the Maldives aren't a cheap place to get to and I don't fancy diving anything colder than 28º now

 

[BartW]

That was an amazing experience, only problem is that the Maldives aren't a cheap place to get to and I don't fancy diving anything colder than 28º now

for me the Maldives are the best diving destination considering price and quality.

Have already done 3 cruises in Maldives, but unfortunately never saw the Whaleshark, (we have seen many manta's and sharks instead )
so you have been very lucky , and proove on video !! well done.
amazing creature indeed.
so still a good reason to go back one more time

here is a report from our last Maledives holliday earlyer this year.
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=270818

 

[vas]

Ok folks, what about a 2012 forum meeting in Southern Sardinia, then?

not a bad idea at all, but May-June is impossible for me (assuming there's still going to be a country down here and I'll be still working) with full student projects and exam preparations...
Not to mention that I should be v.busy getting my craft ready

cheers

V.

 

[Firefly625]

Ok folks, what about a 2012 forum meeting in Southern Sardinia, then?

A great period would be between May and June, when bluefin tunas are kind enough to visit these waters, and some of them are even kinder, allowing us (albeit unwillingly...) to taste their delicious meat!
In that period, aside from all the previous fishes which can always be spotted just snorkeling along the coasts, experienced divers can also try the very unique experience of swimming surrounded by hundreds of huge tunas. Below is a video which gives the idea.
And there's a lot to do and see also for non-divers, with a remarkable mix of gastronomy and road shows, music, exhibitions of local traditions, etc. That alone is worth the trip!

The gauntlet is thrown...

I'm there!

 

[MapisM]

The problem with the Go-Pro is it has a curved lens on the case, bit like our eyes, it's great for clearing itself from splashes so ideal for surfing but rubbish at focusing underwater, bit like us.

That was an amazing experience, only problem is that the Maldives aren't a cheap place to get to and I don't fancy diving anything colder than 28º now

I see what you mean re. u/w focusing, is that a problem also at shorter distance, in your experience?
It's hard to have good visibility and transparency anyway, when the subject is at more than a couple of meters or so...

Yep, Maldives are indeed great for diving, and I also understand why you were spoilt by the water temperature!
The main drawback is that the best way to explore them is by boat, and in the good diving spots (mostly atoll pass), snorkeling is not so appealing. Possibly even difficult to practice, due to strong currents. Therefore, if there's any non-diver in your group, he/she might get bored to death... That's what happened to a friend of mine, anyway.

 

[MapisM]

in my agenda are zero day's between may and june how about yours

Ready when U R!
Jokes aside, considering also the other replies, I would be happy to co-ordinate that, and support with the logistics.
Btw, in reply to virtuvas, aside from being the high season for tuna, actually in the period between May and Jun the water is still a tad cold.
For diving, snorkeling and boating in general, from mid of Jun onward the weather is typically the best - till the end of Sep at least (this year, also Oct has been fantastic).
Anyway, there's a long winter in front of us, which means plenty of time for planning....

 

[BartW]

Yep, I suppose that if Bart thinks to regularly use BA for diving, and particularly if he thinks to do that with guests rather than just himself and his family, it's probably worth strenghtening in some way the swim platform. And maybe also the cockpit. Teak decks are not designed to throw scuba tanks on them.

indeed,

more about the modifications we have in mind, in favour of the diving, in a new BA rebuyld tread very soon

and perhaps a report from our try-out dive cruise last october,
in another tread,