Breathtaking Blackwater

A rainy day in Boynton Beach gave way to a lovely evening as 13 Active Divers set out for 700-feet open water three miles offshore on the Scubatyme boat. 

^{Blackwater divers (from left) back row: Jean Gruss, Carl Manzelli, Federico Quintana, Rachel Davis, Arnaud Giraud, Luis Perez. Middle row: Hilda Balbi, Amber Laureano, Marisol Beleche, Russell Levene. Front row: Kyle Weisenberg, Juliana Bach, Laura Geselbracht.} 

What on earth is out there? The lights of the shore faded into the distance with the setting sun and divers started dreaming of very small creatures, less than an inch across. 

Blackwater diving is truly magical and unlike any other dive you will ever do. A light ball is suspended into the depths about 50 feet down, and this brings up larval creatures - very juvenile versions of the sea creatures we know and love, such as crabs, lobsters, fish, and jellyfish.

Some of the jellyfish-like creatures seem to have iridescent light pulsing around their bodies. Others pulsate from the middle of their bodies, while others spin, dance and dart about. 

Divers are allowed to be down for 90 minutes on this dive, floating along feeling like we're in outer space. This is always an amazing, breathtaking experience. 

^{Underwater photos by Laura Geselbracht and Jean Gruss.}