(Editor’s Note: This is the third post in a series of blog posts about the Feb. Cocos Island Expedition to track sea turtles and sharks in order to create a protected science-based swimway that will safeguard endangered marine wildlife during their migrations in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. You can read the first blog hereView the entire series of blog posts here). 

Feb. 18th, 2015

I had my favorite dive of the trip today at Punta Maria.  As soon as we were in the water we could feel a different energy.

Everything was moving, the water was a bit colder, there were strong currents, and giant schools of black tuna swimming in slow circles by us. We were surrounded by life.

I heard what I thought was someones dive computer beeping. But then looked over to see, Brayan, our dive master, put his hands in cups around his ears. Then he moved his hand like a wave. He was telling us to listen to dolphins.

I heard the high-pitched echoes bouncing back and forth as a pod of dolphins hunted fish together.  They seemed to be in constant communication – chattering away to each other about how to catch their meal.

 ©Faraj

©Faraj

I rolled on my back to float looking upwards toward the surface at the large school of black tuna. Suddenly, the school split in two, parting ways in seconds to make way for a common dolphin. In this moment the dolphin chatter stopped and it was silent. The dolphin swam directly above me pumping the water with its tale.

I have always wanted to see a dolphin underwater in the wild, and so for me this was a truly incredible moment.

Our whole group came out of the water with ‘sonrisas’ or smiles and our own different incredible dive stories to tell.

Read Day 9 Blog – Coming soon!

View the entire series of blog posts here.

Learn more about how you can join our Cocos Island Expedition by clicking here.

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Luca waves for the camera.