Diving in Carriacou, Grenada

Today we went diving with our new friends Richard and Diane from Lumbadive in Carriacou, Grenada. They are a class act from start to finish. The highlight for us is that they are the first dive company to have a real solution to having our kids in tow. Richard immediately suggested that we bring them on the dive and let them go snorkeling while he and the boat captain kept an eye on them. They proved to be amazingly kid and family friendly.

Seaview was our first dive site. It features a relatively low depth wraparound reef with some excellent opportunities to see interesting seafloor life and an inner trench with some other fun critters. We did not experience a significant current at this site which allowed the kids to snorkel above where they tried to catch our bubbles. The visibility was exceptional on this day according to Richard.

Captain Daddy is thinking "Adventure is out there!"

Captain Daddy is thinking “Adventure is out there!”

 

We've found ourselves wondering just when to stop and smell the roses. There is so much to see.

We’ve found ourselves wondering just when to stop and smell the roses. There is so much to see.

 

It took Richard a while to get our attention from the surface directed towards this guy. When we finally noticed him, one of our dive buddies almost had her fins on him.

It took Richard a while to redirect our attention to this guy as he was at the surface with the kids. We didn’t spot him on the bottom until after one of our dive buddies almost planted a fin on him.

 

Don't forget to look up occasionally and take in the whole scene. It is so easy to get focused on a small patch of reef.

Don’t forget to look up occasionally and take in the whole scene. It is so easy to get focused on a small patch of reef.

 

This is especially true when the visibility is so awesome.

This is especially true when the visibility is spectacular.

 

Pretty sure this is a Yellowtail Damselfish.

Pretty sure this is a Yellowtail Damselfish.

 

Where did we leave the kids? Oh right, they are on the roof.

Where did we leave the kids? Oh right, they are on the roof.

 

 

I'm pretty sure there is a face-hugger in there somewhere.

I’m pretty sure there is a face-hugger in there somewhere.

 

A Rock Beauty.

A Rock Beauty.

 

Seriously, what is this stuff? Our Caribbean excerpt from the identification guide doesn't cover everything.

Seriously, what is this stuff? Our Caribbean excerpt from the identification guide doesn’t cover everything.

 

This guy followed Captain Crunch for a while just to be sure his close-up came out alright.

This Trumpetfish followed Captain Crunch for a while just to be sure his close-up came out alright.

 

Christmas tree worms living on coral. Red ones this time.

Christmas tree worms living on coral. Red ones this time.

 

We saw several Spotted Drums, but this one was the biggest and least skittish.

We saw several Spotted Drums, but this one was the biggest and least skittish.

 

These are not quite the same shrimp as we are used to seeing at HEB back home.

These are not quite the same shrimp as we are used to seeing at HEB back home.

 

A Flamingo Tongue. Underwater snails are way more interesting.

A Flamingo Tongue. Underwater snails are way more interesting.

 

Sea horse camo is pretty impressive. We were fortunate to have Diane with us or we wouldn't have spotted this guy.

Sea horse camo is pretty impressive. We were fortunate to have Diane with us or we wouldn’t have spotted this guy.

 

I have no idea what this is.

I have no idea what this is.

Our second dive site was Sister’s Rock. We had planned to go to Paradise Hill, but had to nix it on account of an unusual current. There was still a fairly strong current at Sister’s Rock, but we rode it from one side to the other where we were sheltered by the island and still had a great time. Richard took the kids snorkeling here as well and he was surprised at how well they were able to get around in the surface current given their size.

There are tons of cool sponges to look at. Some of them literally glow in the sunlight.

There are tons of cool sponges to look at. Some of them literally glow in the sunlight.

 

Barracuda... Ben, this one is for you.

Barracuda… Ben, this one is for you.

 

Lobster can haz your camera?

Lobster can haz your camera?

 

One of many cowfish that rolled through.

One of many cowfish that rolled through.

 

Captain Crunch getting ready to get her Gorgonian on.

Captain Crunch getting ready to get her Gorgonian on.

 

A Spotted Moray Eel that Captain Crunch found for us.

A Spotted Moray Eel that Captain Crunch found for us.

 

A Banded Butterfly Fish.

A Banded Butterfly Fish.

 

Another kind of coral. Again, no idea what kind... still cool looking.

Another kind of coral. Again, no idea what kind… still cool looking.

 

There were several sharks napping under the rocks at our dive site. No mom, these are not the kind that pose a threat.

There were several sharks napping under the rocks at our dive site. No mom, these are not the kind that pose a threat.

 

This guy was hanging upside down on the reef near the sharks. Not sure what he is.

This guy was hanging upside down on the reef near the sharks. I’m pretty sure it was a lion fish with his stingers folded up. Not going to touch him just in case.

 

My problem is I'm obnoxious.

My problem is I’m obnoxious. (Finding Nemo)

 

Tube sponges. Don't forget to look inside as there are all sorts of things camping out in there.

Tube sponges. Don’t forget to look inside as there are all sorts of things camping out in there.

 

Our first Scrawled Cowfish.

Our first Scrawled Cowfish.

 

These sea fan's wash up on the beach all the time. They are even more awesome in their natural habitat.

These sea fans wash up on the beach all the time. They are even more awesome in their natural habitat.

 

I wouldn't have gotten this picture if Diane hadn't grabbed my elbow and shoved my camera arm in the hole. What an awesome eel!

I wouldn’t have gotten this picture if Diane hadn’t grabbed my elbow and shoved my camera arm in the hole. What an awesome eel!