further n
orth to be closer to a dive site called ‘the Rookery’. The dive site consists of two large rocks located just out from Isla Partida called Sea Island Rock 
and Los Islotes.
The waves were calm and the wind had died down in the new anchorage. We raced off in the dinghy to do our second dive of the cruising trip. O
ur dive equipment was fine, water waves not too rough in the dinghy to get there, calm wind…everything OK.
Our diving adventure was anything but boring. Not because of the aggressive seals that come right up to you and at the last second spin away. Nor from the way the seals nip at your flippers. The adventure came from forgetting to use our better safety judgment.
Once in the water, we descended to about 20 ft. Visibility was not the best. We were searching for the underwater arch that would take us closer to where th
e seals are. After following the curvature of the rock for a few minutes, I noticed the scenery was going by too quickly. This meant that we were speeding along much faster than we were swimming. In our hurry to get out to the dive site, we forgot to check the tides. We were slowly being swept away from the rock and out to the sea. The surge in the Sea can be very, very strong at most times of the day so it’s important to see when the tides are the strongest before you even think of diving. Especially when you’re going around a very large rock with only sea on the other side. I gave the signal to Jill to surface and my concern was confirmed when we saw how far away the dinghy was. It was very important for us not to panic. I knew we were in a dangerous situation. Staying calm and swimming back to the dinghy was our only hope. So we swam, and swam, and swam, both staying calm while we casually pedaled backwards, both of us acting as if nothing was wrong. Jill later told me she was staying calm to put the idea of floating out to sea out of her mind. We made it back to the dinghy safe and sound. But it sure taught me a lesson. Now I will always check the tides before diving.
Photos: The Rookery where we dove with the seals, It’ll be sushi tonight! Biagio caught 3 tuna and kept the biggest one, about 5 pounds, which was enough for 3 sushi meals.
