Arriving from the small clustered airport and witnessing the swell of the blue water was the perfect introduction to our temporary residence. After packing away our belongings, we went to the end of the dock to snorkel and acclimate before dinner. Due to the current moving southwest in the shallow water most of us only experienced the slightly less fertile bed of corals and sea grass and fish on the left side of the dock. Swimming towards the deeper water the number of sea fans and brain coral grew as did the number of crevices for fish to hang around. We came across a school of blue tangs, about 10 to 15 of them, and swimming under them their tiny offspring, which are noticeable due to their yellow color. As we drifted we spotted a few banded butterfly fish and many four-eyed butterfly fish, unique due to a black spot where their back fin meets their body. Diving down about eight feet I caught sight of small sea urchins feeding on algae in the holes and I caught glimpses of the blue headed wrasse hiding behind the coral fans. After the dive I went to look at the tide pools, which seemed empty at first but as I looked, just from the dock, I started to notice all the life. There were many small hermit crabs scavenging for food, a eel and mussels waiting for the tide to rise so they could eat. I also spotted a larger crab, about 6 inches in width scuttle across a little crater and camouflage into the rocks. After witnessing the amount of biodiversity in just a small area, I am excited to see what I can find on the dives tomorrow.
