Swimming with a whaleshark in Pensacola, FL!!
#1
Posted 01 July 2007 - 09:43 PM
Listening to the radio reports on the way over, I thought there was no way it would still be there by the time we got there. I must be living right or something, because as we approached (there were 5 small boats there), I saw a fin, we got closer and our videographer and I slid into the water. A few kicks, and there she was. It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. I'm told it was about 30' long - I was so mesmerized, I couldn't tell you the length, it was just big!. And beautiful!
I snorkeled right over to her and met her (?) at about 1/2 her body length. I swam along besider her until she passed me by. I followed and she turned so I caught up to her again. Then she was gone. Everyone on the boat was watching and after a couple of minutes were yelling that she had turned around and was coming back toward us. I was looking back at the boat yelling where?, where?, when someone said "just put your face in the water!!" I turned around, looked down, and I swear, she was coming straight for me, not 10' from me. I was staring face to face with a whale shark. She swam right past me. I reached out and touched her side. I swam with her as far as I could, I got to see her completely from one end to the other. Magical, amazing, there aren't words adequate to describe those few short minutes. But I know it's something I will never forget. And it was right here in my backyard. What a weekend, it's going to be hard to top that. Night diving, the Oriskany with amazing viz, an old favorite wreck, and then a whaleshark. You just can't ask for more than that.
#2 Guest_PlatypusMan_*
Posted 01 July 2007 - 10:01 PM
Did your videographer get some good shots?
PlatypusMan
#3
Posted 01 July 2007 - 10:09 PM
I hate to even respond to that question because she is heartbroken, really. The camera failed. She hadn't taken it out of the housing and checked thoroughly when I left, but it seemed she didn't get anything. I really felt bad for her. Some people got some footage from the boat. Hopefully that turned out OK. But we're probably just going to have to rely on our memories. I'm not complaining though. That will stay with me for a long, long time.Hokey smoke--that is incredible!
Did your videographer get some good shots?
PlatypusMan
#4
Posted 01 July 2007 - 10:36 PM
Wow!!!! That sounds like a tremendous experience............what luck!!!!! I hope we can all experience something even comparable in Holbox!!!!
Edited by Travelgal, 01 July 2007 - 10:36 PM.
#5
Posted 01 July 2007 - 10:50 PM
WOW!! That sounds like an amazing experience. Wish I lived in your backyard.
#6
Posted 01 July 2007 - 11:25 PM
Yeah I know: I've been branded a non-group person - doesn't play well with others. I am so upset. Let me know if you want to have some fun, without the drama - I'm good for that.
#7
Posted 02 July 2007 - 08:20 AM
WOW!! That sounds like an amazing experience. Wish I lived in your backyard.
It was - and you have a free place to stay anytime you want to come visit my backyard. I'm still regretting not jumping off that cliff with you in Grenada. You're still my hero! LOL.
#8
Posted 02 July 2007 - 09:38 AM
"For the diligent diver, closed circuit rebreathers are actually safer than open circuit scuba." Tom Mount
#9
Posted 02 July 2007 - 09:46 AM
#10
Posted 02 July 2007 - 10:03 AM
Go to Mexico with us next month...Wow, I've never even see a picture of a whale shark.
Edited by DandyDon, 02 July 2007 - 10:04 AM.
Yeah I know: I've been branded a non-group person - doesn't play well with others. I am so upset. Let me know if you want to have some fun, without the drama - I'm good for that.
#11
Posted 02 July 2007 - 10:10 AM
See, you need to get out of that fresh water a little more often! A little salt is good for the soul.Wow, I've never even see a picture of a whale shark.
#12
Posted 02 July 2007 - 10:14 AM
Salt is good for you!!See, you need to get out of that fresh water a little more often! A little salt is good for the soul.Wow, I've never even see a picture of a whale shark.
cool experience, Deb!! The closest I got to salt this weekend was the salt on the margarita glass at our happy hour
and are whalesharks around in October/November??
#13
Posted 02 July 2007 - 10:33 AM
#14
Posted 02 July 2007 - 10:47 AM
#15
Posted 02 July 2007 - 05:14 PM
Three days of diving, and the best part of the whole weekend happens while snorkeling.
Wow! I missed out on that trip. I spent the weekend nearby in Destin, out of the water for a change. Thought I'd take the weekend off before heading down to Key Largo tomorrow. Bummer
Parker, CO
1 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users