A fifteen mile sail didn’t take long and we soon found ourselves approaching the Bay of San Marcial. There is a very large and long marked reef extending South East from the point of San Marte which has us on high alert. We approach the last several miles slow and with a watchful eye. To our delight however only two other boats are anchored. We should be able to get tucked in and out of swell that can wrap around making your boat roll from side to side.
We find our spot and anchor. After all is set we take a look around and see that we are still a ways out. Distance is still hard to judge and we wonder if a range finder might actually be a good idea. We should get some protection from the reef. So hopefully we don’t rock to much.
We are excited to snorkel the reef even though the water is still quite cold. We dream of all the fish we are going to see as we gaze out at the dramatic view of jagged rocks and waves rolling on shore. There is also a flash of a bare moon jumping off of one of the boats obviously taking his daily bath.
The next day one boat leaves early before we were able to meet them. Sam does some lazy reading and I paddle board over to the reef edges and look down into the water. There are hundreds of fish swimming in amongst the rocks. Bright blues, yellows, and oranges dart about. I paddle back to the boat to let Sam in on the fish recon.
As we sit and talk the other boat dinghies over with a very large Grouper and invited us for a fish fry that evening on the beach. We put our ingredients together and made some of the tastiest fish tacos ever while sharing stories. It really is amazing how quickly you connect with people out here.
We talk into the night. The sun sets. The stars come out one by one. There isn’t a moon. We continue to pick at the delicious Grouper well after all the fixings were gone. Laughing and chatting away the night. The fire slowly dies and it is time to head back to the boats.
We waddle to our boards and push out into the water which begins to glow. With each stroke fish begin to dart around. The neighbors start their dinghy engine and hundreds of fish scatter sending shooting stars and glitter trails through the water. We giggle with delight as larger fish begin chasing smaller fish.
The small bait fish jump through the air dripping liquid glitter trails through the air. It is a frantic one for all. Glowing fish jumping out of the water some narrowly missing us and our boards. Others don’t have that luck and land floping at our feet. We quickly release them back into the water as we continue to paddle.
The water is alive with glowing fish of all sizes darting back and forth and jumping as high out of the water as they can. One brushes my head as it flies by. We are in the middle of the larges displays of bioluminescence we have ever seen. And time stood still. For a moment I soaked in the magic around me and then fear snuck in.
Some of these flying fish are large meaning larger fish are chasing them. What could be chasing them? I feel my heart rate quicken the hair on my arms stand up. I soon find my self paddling as hard and as fast as I could. All the while glowing fish were darting below me and flying through the air. Sparkling drips of water like molten silver raining down. I make it to the boat. Laughing at my cowardness but glad I didn’t run into a glowing fish larger than me.
Sam was right behind me however he didn’t admit to having the same hair raising thought I had. We wave to our friends who continue on to their boat and we end the night on the bow watching the light show below us. This will be one of those Highlight Memories forever.