Reefs Life Besides Hammerheads

Wx- Heavy rain in the middle of the night. Followed immediately by hot scorching sun in the day. Sea condition calm and flat one moment , then big waves the next. Water temperature is getting higher near the surfaceand turning brownish. 30-31c at surface to 1m below. Under this layer is blue at 28c, then at about 30m is the thermocline.

Some of the anemones are turning into gold. The last time we had this situation was in 1997, when we had the El Nino. When they change to white, that means we are definitely in Nino conditions. Good luck to all the reef with a shallow bottom. With the experience we had from the last Nino, Layang Layang should be okay. Part of the shallower reef will get some bleaching but will recover within 3 months. The bleaching will not be in a large area. Just little patches here and there. The reason why Layang Layang recovery will be fast is due to the cold currents coming up from the deep to balance the surface. This is not scientific mumbo jumbo, just what we went through from the last time. So don't hold it as gospel truth.

For the past week, we have been siting the baby whale shark. The mobulars are still around but are in smaller groups of 10 to 15. HH siting are irregular but could be found in single, pairs and group sizes of about 7 to 10.
When we have the flat calm sea, we are sometimes able to swim with the spinner dolphins.

REMINDER:
1. Make sure you clear your safe deposit box and your room and have everything with you before you get on the plane and leave the island. The aircraft will not turn back if you leave your passport, dive computer, watch, girlfriend/boyfriend or whatever else behind. You will have to stay in KK until we send it out on the next flight or you can charter an aircraft to fly you in to collect it yourself.

2. Listen to your DM briefing. Especially your entry and exit procedure from the dive boats. Remember, the boat captain cannot see through the boat. Always ascent and descent where you can be seen by the boat captain. DO NOT chase/swim after the dive boat from below or on the surface. Let the captain bring the boat to you.
A SPINNING PROPELLER IS DANGEROUS ONLY IF YOU ARE NEXT TO IT.

Thank you and have a nice holiday.