On the last day of diving for the trip, we were scheduled to do an 'Across the Bay' set of dives, but the swells were up and dive boats were not allowed out. So instead we did the type of diving that I'm most familiar with - shore diving. At the south-east end of the Cabo harbor, past the naval base, there is a small sandy beach complete with thatch roof umbrellas for shade.
Pacific seahorse (Hippocampus ingens) on abandoned rope
Our dive plan was to swim north-east from the beach, under the harbor entrance. I don't think the other divers were aware of the risk or were experienced enough to do this type of overhead diving. The type where boats are actively motoring above you during the dive. Fortunately, nothing bad happened...
Pacific seahorse (Hippocampus ingens) on abandoned rope
The terrain under the harbor entrance is a sandy bottom with gentle rolling hills. The marine life is concentrated in small clumps around small pieces of reef and boating trash. Tires, rope, bottles and cans provided the majority of habitat for macro life.
Argus moray (Muraena argus)
On two dives, we saw a couple of Pacific Seahorses, panamic arrow crabs, porcupine puffer fish, jeweled moray and argus moray eels and surprisingly only one nudibranch. I asked the dive guides afterward if there are usually more nudibranchs and they said that there had recently been a harbor cleanup that picked up a lot of the trash. It sounds like they also removed the habitat for the smaller inhabitants.
Chromodoris norrisi
Jeweled moray eel (Muraena lentiginosa)
Cabo Harbo:
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Cabo Photos:
http://www.underpressurephoto.com/Underwater/Cabo-2010/Cabo-San-Lucas-2010/
Scott
Nice Chromodoris, Scott! K:-)
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