Location: Bequia
Apparently, that’s what Bequia means in ancient Arawak – the language of the Lokono people of the northern coast of South America. I didn’t know that until I just looked it up. I also had no idea what an awesome spot this is. Today we rounded off our PADI Open Water course on a spot called the Devil’s table. For what is a fairly foreboding name, this is easily one of my favorite reefs I think I’ve yet to see in the Lesser Antilles; with really abundant marine life and a heartwarmingly healthy-looking reef, this was a fantastic spot for 15 new divers to come of age. These last couple of dives saw us finish off our progression of a plethora of skills required for the completion of the course but this time reaching a max depth of 18m or 60ft. For first-time visitors to these sorts of depths, it’s a pretty singular experience just seeing the amount of water between yourself and the surface, let alone the totally different set of sights, sounds, and sensations you find whilst spending time at depth. My group was lucky enough to see a whole bunch of spotted morays and a lionfish – stoking somewhat mixed feelings as some sought to find a way to be able to address the issues posed by this beautiful but a devastating example of an invasive species.
As if that wasn’t enough, those that joined Argo already certified were able to continue their Advanced Open water this evening by getting into their first night dive. SCUBA diving is spherically cool (cool regardless of how you look at it), but night diving holds a pretty special place. Particularly, your first night dive can be a pretty daunting prospect in that getting into pitch-black water with 20kg of gear might seem a little unnatural, but once you’re down, even a reef which you have dived a hundred times takes on a whole new personality. We were met with a reasonably steady current, but being able to rely on everyone’s skills in buoyancy control allowed us to tuck in close to the reef and use it to cast a shadow out of the current for us to conduct our dive in. Among other things, we were lucky enough to see several Spiny Caribbean lobsters, and a Spanish lobster out walking about the reef, a sleeping parrotfish in a mucous sack (like a DIY sleeping bag), and a couple of free-swimming morays – sights often reserved for the night.
Pictured:
evening in Bequia
Amanda stoked to be diving
The newest group of certified divers in the world (or at least they were for a bit)