60' below surface, Goofuaw Channel, Yap FSM

On our very first recreational open water dive, we entered the water at 8:30 and by 8:50 were at a depth of 60 feet watching a manta ray with a 12 foot wingspan at a "cleaning station" where smaller fish clean off the barnacles and parasites from the mantas. The picture here was taken by Ron Ledgerwood.

See the short video that Ron filmed at www.justusconsultants.com/manta.mpg

Not bad for a first dive, huh? We had a 20 MPH current to contend with and I lost a fin while waiting to descend (it was recovered). Beyond that Leslie and I did very well. I then we made 35 and 40 minutes respectively on that dive.

The second dive was to a maximum of 40 feet. It was a "macro dive". It is called that as it is best suited for close-up photography. We saw all kinds of fish, foot shrimp, a large starfish (one foot across), and giant clam (one and a quarter feet wide).

Dammit, I was kind of hoping one of us would freakout and we would never dive again. Alas, we both loved it. I will be taking a second job when I get back so that we can save for our next dive trip.