Gooseneck barnacles divert sailors from task at hand

By Susan Scott

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Dec 17, 2012

~~<p>TRES MARIETAS, BANDERAS BAY, Mexico » When my husband, Craig, and I sailed Honu to this volcanic island group last week, we found the ocean floor 30 feet below the boat exquisitely visible. This isn't always the case in these waters, where upwelling currents often cloud the sea with plankton. During my last snorkeling trip off these islands, I could barely see my feet.</p>
<p>In minutes, Craig and I dropped the anchor, donned mask and fins and jumped in. The sparkling water looked and felt heavenly under the steamy tropical sun, but you pay for such conditions where there are no coral reefs. The fish were far less abundant than they were in the plankton broth of last summer.</p>
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TRES MARIETAS, BANDERAS BAY, Mexico » When my husband, Craig, and I sailed Honu to this volcanic island group last week, we found the ocean floor 30 feet below the boat exquisitely visible. This isn't always the case in these waters, where upwelling currents often cloud the sea with plankton. During my last snorkeling trip off these islands, I could barely see my feet.

In minutes, Craig and I dropped the anchor, donned mask and fins and jumped in. The sparkling water looked and felt heavenly under the steamy tropical sun, but you pay for such conditions where there are no coral reefs. The fish were far less abundant than they were in the plankton broth of last summer. Login for more...