As part of the easing restrictions on the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown, New Zealand has progressed to Alert Level 2. That means some normal activities can resume as long as they follow the L2 guidelines.

Time to dive. It's easier to stay 2 metres apart underwater because you have 3 dimensions in which to do so.

It's also easier to stay 2 metres apart on the surface when you gear up in the parking lot.

Dive Prep

Dive Prep

The landscape on the surface and under the water had changed due to a massive swell that hit the south coast, see Huge waves hit Wellington's south coast. 6 metres waves battered the roads, the beach, and the ocean floor.

The South Coast

The South Coast

Just Prior to Descent

An anchor that had rested against a large rock for as long as anyone could remember was still there but the rock was gone!

Anchor

Anchor

Of course the blue cod were still present protecting their turf.

Blue Cod

There were several nests of crayfish too, which I usually don't often see in Mermaid's Kitchen. I even saw the smallest crayfish I've ever seen. It must have been smaller than my index finger and moved too fast to photograph.

Crayfish

Nest of Crayfish

Nest of Crayfish

It was cool outside when we got started. But we had all missed a lot of diving over the past 2 months and wasn't about to let that stop us. When we were getting in the water at the start of the dive, we all felt the chill. However, by the time we surfaced and were walking out of the ocean, everyone was remarking how temperate the water had felt. Whatever the case, it was absolutely great to get a dive in after 2 months of being in lockdown.

Location: Wellington, North Island, Taputeranga Marine Reserve, New Zealand

Dive Number:   162 Bottom Time: 39m Time In: 2:15 p.m. Tank In: Max Depth: 8.70 ft Table Used:

Mix:   Air Safety Stop: Time Out: 2:54 p.m. Tank Out: Average Depth: 6.20 ft Start Pressure Group:

Surface Interval:   End Pressure Group:

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