Alpha 3 Day 3: Marine Biology Lesson On Fish ID, Form & Function

written by Alpha mate, Sarah McMeikin
July 26, 2017

Last night was the first night sleep off docks and under the stars. We were awoken with a beautiful sunrise to start the day. After a yummy breakfast buffet, the Open Water divers headed to shore for their confined water dives while the rest of the students headed to shore for a marine biology lesson on fish ID, form and function. After the lesson, the non-divers from both Mont Louis and GP3 shuttled to Cistern Point, a beautiful snorkel site just off of Cooper Island. During the snorkel, and with our newly learned fish ID methods, we were able identify many different species of fish and coral including parrot fish, trumpet fish, ray, damsel fish, chromis, brain coral and sea fans.

After the snorkel, all Alpha non-divers headed to GP3 and prepared a pepperoni pasta salad for the big sail ahead. After a de-mooring lesson, we set sail for the Pirate’s Bight on Norman Island. While underway, we learned the points of sail as well as downwind sailing and jibing.

Once at the Bight, the divers returned and everyone went back to their own boats. We then started an early dinner prep to ensure we had time to make it back to shore for a sunset hike! The hike wound its way up the mountain to a helipad where we played “The Wind Blows” and “Oh Captain, My Captain.” We hiked down with the sun still setting over Tortola for our first social onshore where we could buy smoothies and tasty dessert.

Photos to accompany this blog post will be posted later today! Thank you for your patience.