News
Barbados – Piers & Jetties
Most people, when you mention Barbados will think of beautiful beaches, tranquil blue sea and colourful coral reef scenes. You might, if you have read our previous blogs, or know about the region, think of ship wrecks too. But, would you think of diving any of the piers and jetties that dot the shoreline? We did. In fact, it was one of our specific requests when we heard we were heading to this iconic holiday destination. Why?
Piers and jetties offer something a little different. Their upright legs make the underwater photography change their view to portrait and as a diver you start looking more closely at your surroundings. We are not going to lie to you…many of these structures that are still in use are often a dumping ground, with trash and waste lying on the sea floor. So why the attraction? Marine life flourishes under these structures. They can provide a moody atmosphere to dive in and photograph, often with wonderful beams of sunlight bursting through the gaps above.
We dived two jetties on our recent trip, and were enchanted. The legs of each pier were covered in hard corals and bright sponges. Schools of Sergeant Major fish darted in the shallows, being pursued by barracuda. Shrimps, crabs and lobsters hide under fallen debris at the bottom, some 15m below the surface. Porcupine and squirrel fish try to blend in with the encrusted jetty posts. But the jewel in the crown of these sites are the seahorses.
We had to look hard, carefully examining each bit of coral and every discarded bit of metal work, and we were nearly out of luck, with air and time running low, when Caroline found a pair, one pink and one brown, clinging to a bit of old metal on the sea bed. It was fantastic! Having called over Christie, our guide, she then got her eye in and found 8 more in the same area! It was a real treat for our last dive in Barbados.
You need good weather conditions for these jetties, and you have to be very careful, as boat traffic will pass overhead while you are diving, so it is important to ascend close to the pier legs and then swim out to where the boat will be waiting. We loved diving the piers of Barbados, as they gave us atmospheric dives full of superb marine life. As we toured the coastline on our final day, our small group pointed out several more that looked well worth exploring. So, it might not be the first thing you think about when you are headed to Barbados, but you should certainly give the jetties and piers a go when you get there.
https://www.divebarbadosblue.com/
https://www.visitbarbados.org/
https://www.divefestbarbados.com/
For more from Nick and Caroline, visit www.frogfishphotography.com
Gear News
Go anywhere with Stahlsac
Stahlsac dive bags and travel luggage are built for our community of divers, surfers, kayakers and outdoor explorers who need bags that are constructed with durability, toughness, and the highest quality the industry has ever seen. We were founded by one man determined to build better watersports and dive bags, and today, that mission is carried on by many. Adventure doesn’t just present itself; it requires discovery. When we design dive bags, we make sure they are tough enough for you to explore in all conditions—warm and cold, wet and dry—to the nearest and farthest reaches of the earth. And for those times you want to push the boundaries of adventure, Stahlsac dive bags make sure you can truly GO ANYWHERE.
Abyss Duffels
Made to be your partner-in-crime on every adventure, Stahlsac’s Abyss Duffels protects your gear from Mother Nature’s worst. Tough and 100% waterproof with double-TPU nylon material that shrugs off daily wear-and-tear, and RF-welded seams further boost the bag’s potential for lifelong exploring. Get Wet. Get Lost. Go Anywhere with Abyss.
- A weatherproof duffel for trips, travel, and adventure
- Ultra-durable double-TPU nylon protects your gear
- Material repels water and keeps your equipment dry
- RF-welded seams are flush, tough, and waterproof
- Removable straps transform duffel into backpack
- Zippered internal stow compartments carry essentials
- External zippered flap is easy to open and close
- Welded external handles make transporting a breeze
Panama Mesh Backpack
The most copied design in scuba diving, the Stahlsac Panama Mesh Backpack is the “original” design and features two high-density foam padded shoulder straps, extra durable polyester mesh, duffel bag handles and our unique zippered dry pocket inside that combines with a wet pocket outside. The bottom’s built from reinforced 18-gauge PVC nylon to combat the wear and tear of your active coastal lifestyle, and, as a bonus in every bag, we supply a 12″ x 12″ mesh drawstring satchel for extra stowing utility. Pack up your beach kit and go.
- Density foam padded shoulder straps
- Outside wet/dry pockets
- 2 Carry handles
- Tough, snag-resistant polyester mesh
- Reinforced PVC bottom
For more information about Stahlsac bags, visit www.stahlsac.com/dive-bags.
Sea & Sea is the home of Stahlsac and other leading diving brands in the UK.
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