We waited for sunset for the night dive in Rikoriko Cave. It had been completely overcast and bit rainy here and there for most of the day. But at least at the end of the day we got to see some of the sun setting.

Sunset

To start the night dive, I came across this tiny little green crab. At least I think it was a crab of sorts.

Crab?

A couple of other fish.

Scorpianfish

Pink Maomao

The boat's anchor chain was looking ghostly.

Anchor Chain

I was really happy to spot this tiny Decorator Crab. They camouflage themselves by putting anything that helps them blend into the scenery on their back. It makes them difficult to spot. Even in the video below, you really have to watch for the motion to see the crab.

Decorator Crab

One thing I couldn't capture with a photo or video was the numbers of Maomao present in the cave. There must have been thousands in some areas. If I shone my (borrowed) torch on them, they would scatter. So I would just turn my torch off and the ambient light of other people's torches in the cave was enough to see them and float into the centre of their school and be absolutely surrounded by thousands of Maomao.

Location: Poor Knights Islands, Northland, New Zealand

Dive Number:   204 Bottom Time: 56m Time In: 8:59 p.m. Tank In: 196 PSI Max Depth: 16.00 ft Table Used:

Mix:   Air Safety Stop: 3m Time Out: 9:55 p.m. Tank Out: 56 PSI Average Depth: 10.40 ft Start Pressure Group:

Surface Interval:   3h 2m End Pressure Group:

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