A pod of hammerheads

Out on a dive last week with Koro Sun Dive and we saw a HUGE pod of hammerheads. Colin, the owner and Dive Master, took us to Dreamhouse where the pod is often to be found. We dropped down to about 50 feet and swam out across the reef and into the blue, finning our way through the vastness of the ocean. I was dreaming happily of life and relaxation and nothing much in particular when suddenly Colin was grabbing my arm and gesticulating wildly: he was throwing an underwater wobbly which amounted to: “For goodness sake, keep your eyes on where I’m pointing because we can see lots of them!!” And sure enough, ahead of us were faint silvery shapes which resolved into dozens of gleaming bodies as we swam nearer. It was a pod of fifty or more hammerhead sharks. We were behind them but every so often one would turn and look at us, and we’d see its strange head with the eyes out on each end of the square hammer-shaped skull. They were cruising along gently, not too bothered by us. We were all transfixed, treasuring each moment, waiting for them to disappear – and eventually, with a lazy surge of power, they did. A magic memory.

Hammerhead sharks

Last week, one of our guests, 11 year old Joe Howard learnt to scuba dive at Daku. With instruction from Colin of Koro Sun Dive he was diving the reefs of Savusavu in no time. Joe had this to say about his experience:

When I was staying at Daku resort, I had a resort dive with Koro Sun Dive in the pool. I had to learn how to how to use the PFD (personal floatation device) and also how to suck air from the tank with the regulator. The air tasted funny and fake.

The next day I went out to the reef with Colin, my instructor.

On my first dive I saw two cute turtles and one scary manta ray. It was so cool!!!

Diving is not difficult as long as you are relaxed and you do not panic if you take your mask off or take the mouth piece out.

It is very exciting to be able to go under water and not run out of air for a while! I went down to 10 metres tops. The first thing I saw was lots of brightly coloured coral and the first thing I thought was “this is amazing!”

The equipment is not heavy under water – you cannot feel it at all.

I recommend diving for everyone!!! (above 10 years of age)

Joseph Howard (age 11)

Joe and Colin in Daku pool