The rocky reef

With some lunch in our stomachs we motored through the beautiful blue waters under a gorgeous sun. Meandering through the islands, we proceeded to our next dive site. It was a nice change of pace, not a quick run to get us in the water an out, get to the next site so we can get home. We could sit on the deck and chat if we wanted or just sit quietly and soak up the serenity of the landscape.

We anchored in close to one of the islands where we were free to go for a dive and come and go as we wanted. Our hosts went in to the water for a spear while we geared up to enjoy the rocky reef of the sheltered cove.

Deep into the warm waters we descended, landing among the kelp. The usual suspects made themselves apparent as schools of damselfish and inquisitive leatherjackets emerged to greet us.

Continuing down through the kelp, we ventured through a world of crevices and gullies. The blues and greens of the water an kelp gave way to the pinks, oranges, and reds of encrusting invertebrates, darting fish, and coralline algae.

Beautiful intricate sponges lined the walls and delicate looking triplefin fish darted from each crevice. I also had my first sighting of a wild spiny lobster, less intimidating than their cousins the American lobster, but still an impressive crustacean.

With reluctance, we emerged out of the crevices and under the canopy of the kelp forest. where sponges and coralline algae gave way to small turfing algae and sea urchins. And as the invertebrate life diminished, the amount of fish life  swelled.

The fish life in New Zealand is often the highlight of the dives and this one was no exception. Large red moki meandered among the kelp stipes, damsel fish and spotties darted among the fronds, and hog fish with their irregular strips wandered above the canopy.

The highlight of the dive though was one particular Sandager's wrasse who fixated on us, following us the entire last half of the dive. Towards the end, we even decided to stop and feed the fish we dubbed Henry, although as I was to be informed later, Henrietta was more appropriate.

Having rewarded our finned friend, we started to ascend out of the canopy towards the surface on our way back to the boat. Jack mackerel swarmed around us in enormous schools, dancing back and forth between Jan and I. It made for an eventful safety stop on the way up.

Just before we left the reef though, our little friend stopped to give a us a personal goodbye, a perfect end to another great dive.

And just as I thought our sightings were over, as Jan and I wandered back to the boat along the surface, we passed through several ctenephores, each ephemeral sighing glimmering in the sunlight with the magnificent splendor of a rainbow.

Back on the surface, we basked in the sun once more reminiscing the sights of the dive now that we could communicate verbally. We jested about our fishy companion and floated calmly behind the catamaran.

Content with the wonderful diving we had this day, we motored in the setting sun to another secluded cove where we would stay for the night. With finished the day with the moon rising in the background and the catch of the day roasting on the barbeque. A delicious meal and a long nights sleep ahead, would prepare us for another day of diving.