Dive #224 - Rich Torkington's Dive Log

These Panamic porkfish are prettier than their Caribbean counterparts.
Videograph by Rich Torkington in Mexico 2005

Dive Journal: El Cantil is a dive we did way back in 1998, although the December conditions then were a bit different from those today in July. This site is not too far from El Bajo and consists of ancient lava flows. There are tons of canyons, holes, crevices, and “cliffs” (cantils). It seems to be a stair-stepped “ledgy” topography between 60 feet and 25 feet in depths. We see a nice school of blue and gold snappers, then another one of greybar grunts. A Panama graysby swims by. Eventually, we are treated to a stunning school of panamic porkfish. Their brilliant yellow makes great video and is the highlight of this dive.

More green morays are free swimming during this dive – before this dive trip I used to think that was unusual.

Nearing the end of the dive, I find a big foraging blunthead triggerfish who is followed by an entourage of smaller fish grabbing onto his leftovers. The video I captured ofhim was only so-so.

This is our last dive in the East Capes for this trip. The diving here has been excellent – varied, unexpectedly great at times, abundant in sea life, with many wonderful close encounters and enchanting memories. We’ve especially enjoyed working with Mark, owner of Vista Sea Sport, and our two primary divemasters, Ash and Daniella.