Hello, my friends. This blog is being written from a stunning beach in Exuma, Bahamas. I am witnessing an angry lady (Cat 4 Hurricane Fiona) vent her considerable rage in all directions as she passes me to the east. Weather conditions caused the dive trip to be canceled—part of it. We are in the outer bands.
Stephanie and I have been soaking up the ever-stunning natural beauty of the most soul-enriching turquoise water on the planet, enhanced by the hospitality of the Bahamian people. I have scuba-dived throughout the Bahamas. Her shallow sun-lit reefs are spectacular for divers and snorkelers alike; in fact, the Bahamian waters are so clear you look over the side of your boat and count rocks on the bottom.
I snorkeled at a beautiful reef a few days ago.
The good news is that 65% of the reef was pristine with jaw-dropping corals and hundreds of fish of every hue. Bright purple sea fans swayed gracefully in the sun-dappled tropical waters. Very healthy brain, elkhorn, and staghorn corals were prominent and alive with life. I even saw a parrot fish waiting patiently in line as colorful tiny fish attended to visitors at one of the reefs cleaning stations.
Over the last 30 years, 60% of the corals have died in my home state of Florida, as well as in the Caribbean Basin and the Bahamas. This pattern was evident in about 1/3 of the reef I snorkeled. There was coral bleaching and abundant signs of an ecosystem in distress
More to follow as my Bahamian adventure continues.
—Bull Shark Bob