Waiting at the Deep Point

Gorontalo?s Honeycomb dive site can make for rather athletic diving, given that it follows a deep, submerged point that juts into an often-ripping long shore current. The plan for the first dive was to approach the point from the west and merely hang out in the 20-meter range, watching what passed. It was quite a show. Blue-head filefish (Hoplolatilus starcki), usually seen in pairs above their sand burrows, were hovering by the dozens high above the substrate to feed in the current. Another resident of deep waters, Gilded triggerfish (Xanthichthys auromarginatus) swam in groups close to the scattered coral below.

A very dense school of amazingly blue Redtooth triggers (Odonus niger) swarmed in the plankton-rich current. A pair of intrepid Napol.ean wrasse rose from below the second wall for a closer look at the source of those strange bubbles. A quick glance up at the five-meter reef crest revealed a Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) casually viewing its realm. A Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) shot by. Dense schools of Single-spined unicornfish (Naso thynnoides) ambled back and forth along the wall. Just as the current quickened, a White-spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) complete with remora sailed by. How much comes to those who wait!