It was a brilliant day for a diving trip in Hong Kong - plenty of sunshine, clear skies and calm waters. Several HKUC members had experienced clear visibility on the last couple of dive trips so we had high expectations at the start of the day. We had a rather full boat with three new members joining us and plenty of non-divers (including a three-year-old).
We anchored between Tsim Chau and Tai Chau, just offshore from Tai Long Wan beach and promptly set up our dive kit. The water sure looked clear enough since we were able to see the bottom of the sea from the boat! Granted, it was only 10 metres deep but it is always a real treat when we have visibility more than 5 metres in Hong Kong. Stephen was getting his BSAC training with Bruce so they were last to set off. The rest jumped into the cool waters (at 24 degrees Celsius) and descended into the big blue.
At first, we delighted in the clear sea and marveled at how far we could see, then slowly started to look for the usual suspects - damselfish, clownfish, nudibranch, scorpionfish, etc. The territorial clownfish was still in abundance, nipping at our fingers and masks to ensure we didn't venture too close. Damselfish and moonwrasse skirted around, the colourful nudis were out in full force (I spotted about 8 on the first dive!), ranging from bright neon orange to drab brown with blue spots to white ones, and schools of tiny baitfish created beautiful tight balls while evading bigger predators. To witness this in Hong Kong is just astonishing!
We also managed to find an injured catfish swimming from rock to rock, and right at the end of the second dive, for which we'd moved to the small rocks of Lan Tau Pai, I spotted a bright orange tentacle with suckers - aha! A bright orange octopus! I was over the moon. It was a gorgeous specimen and while I can't say I have seen many, I can safely say that I have seen enough of them to know that this was a special one.
On the boat we had plenty to eat and drink, and we had a refreshing Pimm's as well. What a combination - diving, food, sun, sea, Pimm's, great company. If only every Sunday in Hong Kong is this good!
Denvy Lo
20 May 2009