Reef dives at Aliwal Shoal

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I went for some beautiful reef dives at Aliwal Shoal between Dec23rd and 25th. A day normally had two dives, one reef dive earlier in the morning, followed by a baited shark dive later in the morning. The reef dives went down to 27m maximum depth. I was diving with Barbara and Jilles, and Walter as boat captain. Enjoy a selecton of pictures from these wonderful dives at Aliwal Shoal...

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Photos

Soft coral?
Aliwal Shoal "Cathedral" Dec.23rd 2011

beautiful Anemone
Aliwal Shoal "Cathedral" Dec.23rd 2011

Cowrie Snail
beautiful cowrie snail the Cathedral

Potato bass
quite curious potato bass

it seems to like it
the potato bass likes to be petted

come closer...
Barbara's finger and the affectionate potato bass

Potato bass
close-up

Bluespotted stingray
near the "Chunnel", Aliwal Shoal, Dec 24th 2011

Bluespotted stingray
near the "Chunnel", Aliwal Shoal, Dec 24th 2011

Pineapple fish
near the "Chunnel", Aliwal Shoal, Dec 24th 2011

Raggedtooth sharks
the "Chunnel", Aliwal Shoal, Dec 24th 2011
some real nice xmas sharks!

Raggies in the chunnel
the "Chunnel", Aliwal Shoal, Dec 24th 2011
I had not expected to see raggies at all at that time of the year. Its not supposed to be their saison at Aliwal Shoal in december

Great raggies
the "Chunnel", Aliwal Shoal. What's looking like snow are suspenden particles or plancton in the flashlight.

Chunnel's raggies
the "Chunnel", Aliwal Shoal,

Raggedtooth shark in torchlight
just used a torch to get this smiling face out of the darkness. the "Chunnel", Aliwal Shoal,

Profile of a raggie
the "Chunnel", Aliwal Shoal.

Raggies
the "Chunnel", Aliwal Shoal. Fascinating creatures

Honeycomb moray
Honeycomb moray hidden in a hole