Dive #184 - Rich Torkington's Dive Log

See what we caught?
Photograph by Guest in Belize 2004

Dive Journal: Our flight day is tomorrow, and so this will be our last dive of the trip. TIL policy is to make this a divers’ choice, so Janel suggests the Zoo again, to the agreement of all.

As has been common on our Turneffe dives, we again are immediately treated to the gorgeous flyby of a spotted eagle ray early in the dive. This time, another one slides by – nice.

Janel and I spot 2 colorful white spotted filefish, one in its orange phase. We also come across several big nurse sharks asleep under a ledge, who eventually swim off. I find another cleaning station, this time with 2 blue cleaner shrimp down in a crevice. I place my hand close to the opening, and both of them scurry up with their feelers extended to see what I am. Pretty neat.

Nearing our exit, Bo locates a fairly large and inaccessible overhang, but we are able to find several openings from the top and peer down into it. Three big nurse sharks are resting there, sort of lying across one another. Bo and I check out various vantages and the sharks eventually start stirring. It’s an interesting viewing of them all huddled together.

It’s our last dive for this trip, so we savor the extra long boat trip back across Turneffe Atoll to our island.

We all enjoy an extra long happy hour today, and some of the divers decide to pose for a few pictures. They eventually pull down a taxidermed permit from the wall, and create a few see-what-I-caught pics with much hilarity. The entire Lodge soon sits down to a great barbecue prepared outside despite the high winds and intermittent rain, and afterwards we create a hermit crab race that draws plenty of participants.

Divemasters, please take note. Bo is one of the best divemasters we’ve ever had the pleasure to dive with. His formula for success, through my eyes:

Professional, never vocally critical of anything or anyone
Complete but quick dive briefings
Knows all his divers by name
Not talkative, doesn’t try to entertain too much, but very approachable
Nevers paces the group, but rather gently steers it at the clients’ pace
Points out cool things underwater, but only if the other divers don’t see them
Has affection, respect, and interest for underwater creatures, and shows it underwater
Only pays attention to your diving if you demonstrate or request that you need it

In short, Bo is an experienced professional that has seemingly found a perfect balance with his customers.

A few words about Turneffe Island Lodge. This is a private island resort that really has its act together. The diving operations are super comfortable, very well run, ready when you are, the dive sites are close, and the underwater sights are excellent. The accomodations are beautiful, always clean, great outdoor shower, they even turn down your bed at night. The eating is equally excellent, great meals prepared and served.