Surface at Sunset

Gorontalo's diving Governor Fadel couldn't wait any longer. After months of bad weather (off season) and toward the end of the fasting month, he insisted on filling an empty late afternoon spot on his busy agenda with a quick dive. Swirling Steps dive site is only about 15 minutes from the governor’s official residence. This underwater point hits the long shore current in a couple of places. This is where schools of fish feed in the current. Today was no exception, even at slack tide. Twice we were buzzed by schools of dogtooth tuna. The governor spotted a turtle swimming above us. On the drive along the shoreline, our dive master saw another one when it surfaced to breathe. In the waning light, various species of huge sea cucumbers lumbered across the sand flats. After our dive, we surfaced right before sunset.