Snorkel

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Sat 29 Dec 2012 23:00
Our First Snorkel in Roatan
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Just moments away in Baby Beez is a buoy we could tether to. Off we went following Eric and Dee. Soon in the shallow water behind the reef (we are near the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef) we found the water to be crystal clear and masses of huge reef formations.
 
 
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Loads of fish of all sizes
 
 
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Some apparently motionless, some feeding and some just scruffing about
 
 
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Scores of tubeworms
 
 
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Sadly no Nemo
 
 
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New ones on us that could change colour in the blink of an eye
 
 
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Old favourites in wonderful condition
 
 
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The stars were these massive chaps (I left the six inch fish in the first picture to give a bit of perspective – where was the skipper when I needed him, next time and we’ll bring some food with us) and chapesses, closely guarded by a very conscientious and very nice man called Sherman. Just about every rock had not just one but several of these goliaths. All the reefs around the island are protected, we are allowed to put a single line and hook over the back of the boat but all other fishing is prohibited. Roatan has the biggest fishing fleet in the Caribbean but the waters are considered “fished out” and the fleet have to go down to the offshore waters of Nicaragua and Colombia. You can take a course in spear fishing for lion fish – considered to be a pest – and you get a cookery lesson in preparation, cooking and serving these aggressive fish. Not sure if that really appeals but as the weather has become terrible around Panama and we have to stay at least two weeks, who knows. For now though we are enjoying watching these lobsters, so laid back mon, no claws necessary.....
 
 
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We watched whilst this chap wandered over, did a u-turn and backed into an already crowded spot.
 
 
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ALL IN ALL JUST THE BIGGEST LOBSTERS EVER