Magnificent Monday

We kicked off our day with the 8:30 a.m. dive slot, which meant an early rise, a light breakfast, and gear prep. The patio was already buzzing with life—an inquisitive iguana made a cameo, and tropical birds flitted nearby, clearly hoping for a bite of our breakfast.

🐠 Dive One: Oil Slick Reef Surprise

Our original plan was to explore the iconic “1000 Steps” site, but a dive boat had already claimed it. No worries—our dive master pivoted to “Oil Slick,” a reef named after a long-abandoned plan to build an oil refinery there. Thankfully, the reef’s beauty won out, and the refinery was relocated.

The dive was mesmerizing. Soft corals swayed as schools of fish darted through the terrain. A curious barracuda glided silently past our group, and on the way back, we watched a sea turtle munching away at the hard coral like it was a buffet.

🛍️ Market Stroll & Midday Feast

After rinsing off and cooling down in our room, we wandered to the local grocer store. Soon after, the lunch buffet opened, and the chef served up fresh fish burgers—a delicious blend of Mahi-Mahi and Tuna that hit the spot.

🌊 Dive Two: Eighteen Palms & Silvery Giants

In the afternoon, we headed southwest to Eighteen Palms. Descending to 60 feet, we were greeted by shimmering Tarpons making multiple passes. Rumor had it a shark made a brief appearance, and we spotted another turtle, a lionfish, a crab, a couple of tuna, and even a lobster.

📸 Dockside Moments & Manager’s Special

As the sun dipped low, we gathered for a group photo on the dock. Surprisingly, everyone found their spot with ease—no chaos, just good vibes. The evening rolled into the resort’s “Manager’s Special” night, complete with live music, drinks, and the busiest crowd of the year. The staff handled it like pros.

Dinner was a BBQ feast that instantly transported me back to Croatia, where we once devoured a tavern-style sampler platter. Pure nostalgia.

🌙 Poolside Wind-Down

After some downtime and underwater video editing, we joined a few others for a late-night swim. The resort had graciously extended pool hours to 24/7, making it the perfect way to end a day packed with adventure.Meer informatie