10th September
Both dives showcased the unique conditions of Gordo Banks, where the thermocline dramatically changes the underwater environment, influencing both temperature and visibility. Though visibility was not at its best, the presence of sharks and schooling fish made for a rewarding trip.
Dive 1 Outer Gordo
The highlight of the dive was a close encounter with a solitary hammerhead shark, gliding gracefully near the thermocline. Other than that, the dive was relatively quiet with no other significant marine life sightings.
Dive 2 Inner Gordo
This dive was much more lively, with large schools of snappers and bonitos filling the scene. A rare sighting of a tope shark added excitement to the dive, making it a memorable experience.
Diving Conditions
- Water Temperature 70 – 75°F
- Thermocline at 60 ft
- Visibility was moderate, about 30 ft
Wildlife Encounters
- Hammerhead Shark
- Tope Shark
- Schools of Snappers
- Schools of Bonitos
15th September
This dive was marked by strong currents, making it difficult to stay on course. We missed the pinnacle entirely due to the current. The visibility was limited to 30 ft, and the conditions turned green and darker after descending past the thermocline at 75 ft. Unfortunately, no marine life was spotted during this dive, likely due to the challenging conditions.
Diving Conditions
- Strong current
- Visibility 30 ft with dark conditions
- Thermocline at 75 ft
18th September
Today’s dives brought decent conditions at Gordo Banks, with a solid mix of pelagic life and some thrilling shark encounters. While the currents were strong, particularly in the second dive, the wildlife made it a rewarding day.
Dive 1 – Outer Gordo
This dive offered a thrilling encounter with a silkie shark and a few hammerheads. The hammerheads, though not in large numbers, made brief appearances, making the dive an exciting one. The thermocline added a noticeable drop in visibility but didn’t impact the overall experience
Dive 2 – Inner Gordo
This dive was filled with action, with large schools of bonitos moving swiftly through the currents. The strong current made the dive challenging, but the abundance of fish provided plenty to see despite the more difficult conditions.
Diving Conditions
- Water temperature 72 – 78 °F
- Current: Strong
- Thermocline at 30 ft & 60 ft
Wildlife Encounters
- Silkie shark
- Hammerhead sharks
- School of bonitos
27th September
Both dives on September 27 at Gordo Banks Outer were marked by great visibility and the excitement of witnessing hammerheads hunting during the first dive. Although the second dive didn’t produce any more shark sightings, the favorable conditions and calm waters made for a rewarding day. The two 2-tank dives provided ample opportunities to explore the site.
Dive 1 – Outer Gordo
The first dive was extraordinary, with a large school of hammerhead sharks hunting bonitos. The action persisted for nearly 10 minutes, creating a breathtaking experience for all divers. The clear visibility allowed for an excellent view of the hammerheads in action, making this a memorable dive.
Dive 2 – Outer Gordo
Despite the same excellent conditions as the first dive, no hammerheads were spotted during this dive. However, the clear waters and consistent temperatures still made for a smooth and enjoyable dive experience
Diving Conditions
- Water temperature 67°F at 80 ft, 80°F above 40 ft
- Visibility 80 ft
Wildlife Encounters
- Large school of hammerheads hunting bonitos