LaParguera, PR = Zoa Heaven

[Steve-H]

Perhaps my favorite place in the world...No time for a dive; but did get a couple hours snorkeling in

 

[Steve-H]

 

[Steve-H]

Just a beautiful place. We took a quick boat ride out to Cayo Enrique and just hopped off at the mangroves. At first I really wanted to swim out past the breakers in the first photo, as the outer wall of the reef starts there; and curves back inwards between the two cays. As you can see though - low, rising tide makes walking out there in the coral fields pretty hazardous. So we spent out time in the mangroves - which was a very rewarding experience.

 

[psidriven]

Very cool. Thanks for posting the pix.

 

[luisgo]

Very nice, thanks for sharing. I see a Barracuda there!! Do you live in Puerto Rico?

 

[Steve-H]

It was excellent to see the little Barracuda - he was just hanging out waiting for the tide to come back in. Very kind of him to stay still and pose nicely !

I don't live there (yet !)..but have family there; so we're back about every-other month.

 

[billsreef]

I was there years ago as a stop on the old college Seamester. Great reefs, and the mangroves were indeed a fascinating place to snorkel. Have you made the trip over to the phosphorescent bay?

 

[hul kogan]

Wow, very cool. Quite a bit of life in the mangroves. Looks like a great snorkel!

 

[Steve-H]

Bill.
Sadly, the Bioillumincent bay in LaParguera is not what it used to be. Pollution has killed a lot of the bacteria off (most blamed on sunscreen worn when people would swim in the water). To the best of my knowledge the best spot right now is in Fajardo - where swimming is not allowed. I did a kayak trip there and it is really am impressive sight. Shame that it is almost impossible to photograph !

 

[billsreef]

I'm sorry to hear that It was quite impressive back in the 80's when I was there.

 

[scuba guy ron]

awesome zoa pics. everyone on the zoa forums would love to see them in the wild. I for one would love to see more if you have any.

 

[i2as kass]

Wow wonderful photos, makes me want to go diving REALLLLYY bad :lmao:.

 

[kcooley]

i snorkeled on the north shore west of carolina, PR. not much for corals but there were hundreds of powder brown tangs and white and orange wrasses. i saw a huge sand goby.

 

[chrisqueenz]

I didn't know PB tangs inhabit those waters? I thought mainly Atlantic Blue tangs were found in those waters? Learn something new everyday!

 

[billsreef]

They weren't Powder Brown Tangs, likely were Surgeon Fish which are similar to the Atlantic Blue with a gray to brown color.

 

[Steve-H]

Like these guys ?

Thanks for all the comments - glad you are enjoying the pics as much as I did taking them !
I'll look back through my pics and upload some more..

 

[Steve-H]

I'll be headed back there in two weeks...Not sure how much water time I'll get - but what I do snag I will update !

 

[mx36]

Nice photos, what camera are you using?

 

[doggydoc]

Great place. Spent PLENTY of time in those areas!!!! Mata La Gata, Cayo Enrique etc etc
Nice pics

 

[Steve-H]

Thanks !
Its a canon S90 w/Ikelite housing....No flashes (yet !)