Eight shades of grey

Though we couldn’t really see fifty, encountering a pack of eight big Grey Reef Sharks was quite an experience. Coming right up to us to check us out,   they didn’t seem scared at all (rather the opposite as a matter of fact!). After circling us a couple of times, they disappeared back into the depths, leaving us to enjoy the swarms of fish – Batfish, Snappers, Surgeonfish and Bluefin Trevallies.

On the other side of the scale we got lucky as well. Juvenile Barramundi Cods, Coleman Shrimps, Giant Frogfish, Not-So-Giant Frogfish and a good selection of rare Nudibranchs. Though I suspect the Seahorses got most of the attention. We found three different species (Wing-spined, Common and Thorny) plus two flavours of Pygmies (Denise and Bargibanti).

Rounding off with a whole bunch of Manta Rays, this was a very rewarding trip indeed!

[Posted as Tourleader and Video-Pro on the Mermaid 1.]
 

Sharks in space

OK, maybe not literally, but it certainly looked like it when one of our guests was filming the shark action at a seamount in the Komodo National Park. The place was full of Whitetips and Grey Reefs, as well as dense schools of Trevallies, Surgeonfish and Batfish. 

We also spent quality time with Giant (and not-so-giant) Frogfish, a Coconut Octopus, tons of Nudibranchs and a beautiful pair of Harlequin Shrimps.

Everybody onboard was hoping to see Manta Rays, and we got really lucky – more than 20 of these amazing rays were playing in the currents. A wonderful experience indeed!

[Posted as Tourleader and Video-Pro on the Mermaid  1.]