Dive #217 - Rich Torkington's Dive Log
© Copyright 2010 Rich Torkington Mesa, Arizona

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Bottom Time to Date:

187h
4m


Dive Info:

Dive Start:
9:00AM

Bottom Time:
54 minutes

Maximum Depth:
58 feet

Safety Stop:
3 minutes

Beginning Air:
3000 psi

Ending Air:
1000 psi

Weather Conditions:
Clear 85°F

Surface Conditions:
Calm

Surface Water Temperature:
78°F

Bottom Water Temperature:
74°F

Visibility:
40-70 feet
217
TITLE
* * * *½
July 25,
2005
ISLOTE
CABO PULMO NATIONAL MARINE PARK, BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR, MEXICO
BOAT DIVE
VIDEO
Linda, Janel, Daniella (DM)
Vista Sea Sport
Buena Vista, BCS
http://vistaseasport.com
Photo
Big schools of scissortail damselfish at Islote.
Videograph by Rich Torkington in Mexico 2005 
Dive Journal: This morning we head south to the Cabo Pulmo Marine Reserve, and we anchor on the west side of Islote, a large protruding rock formation just off the coastline. This is a return dive for me, but I have not been here for a long time (not since 1997 – dive #8).

We descend into abundant sea life coupled with beautiful lighting. There is something about the way the light enters the waters around Islote that makes this dive really special.

The fish in the marine reserve are friendly and allow close approaches. There are wonderful schools of king and cortez angelfish. We come across several large panamic green morays, one of them even free-swimming. There are two large sting rays on the floor around the rock base, and Linda finds a handsome bulls-eye skate as well.

Schools of scissortail damselfish cascade down through us – there are so many fish here! We find moorish idols, barberfish, bumphead parrotfish, and more coral hawkfishes. We also get an excellent video shot of another giant hawkfish on the west face of the rock around 35 feet down. As we slowly ascend toward the boat, we continue our tour and enjoy the near-vertical rock walls and soft corals in the top 30 feet of water.

A big school of gofftopsail pompano entertains us at the dive’s end. Great dive!

More
Dive
Info:
Fins:
Mares Avanti Quattro
Computer:
Oceanic Véo 200
Tank:
80 ft3 Al
BCD:
SeaQuest Spectrum 4
Breathing Gas:
Air
Body of Water:
Sea of Cortez
Mask:
U S Divers
Protection:
3mm full wetsuit layered with 2mm shorty
Regulator:
SeaQuest
Spectrum XR2
plus Oceanic
Slimline octopus
Weight:
8 lb
Water Type:
Salt
Video Equipment:
Sony DCR-TRV11 digital handycam in Top Dawg housing