Ponderosa


This is where I started my training a couple of months ago. It's a quite popular place with snorkelers and other tourists and I wonder if one of the thrill seekers that jump to the water from the tree tops (like the guy in the picture did) ever landed on a returning cave diver...

The halocline is especially strong here, though I couldn't snap a good illustration of how it really looks down there. Due to the different refractive index of the fresh and salt water, you can clearly see the interface when looking from above. The feeling of flying over water is incredible when the conditions (clarity, decoration) are proper.

When you hit the interface visibility drops down to zero. It feels like someone has just smeared your mask with silicone.

If you try you may be able to see what I mean in the following pictures.

In this one you can see the halocline crossing the picture a bit above half height (click to maximize):




In this one you can see what happens when you shake and stir... On the right side the visibility is perfect. On the left side, in the wake of my finning buddy, it's nil!