Technical Dive at Reqqa

Another Saturday has come around, and therefore, another dive.  With a South wind blowing, we chose to do this morning’s technical dive at Reqqa (a site in the North of Gozo).

Reqqa

We planned a maximum depth of 55m and used a 50% O2 mix for our decompression gas.  After placing the stages close to our entry point, we kitted up in pleasantly warm temperatures and jumped into the inviting blue.  I actually thought I would not have any pictures to show from this dive, as the GoPro housing I’m currently using is rated to 40m (so I did not take it with me for this deeper dive).  However, my fantastic dive buddy, Brian, from Atlantis Diving Centre brought along his Braun Master which is rated for up to 100m.  All underwater pictures from this dive have been snapped by Brian, with a quick colour-correction & sharpening edit by myself.

Yours truly… for once without a camera! (Image: Brian Azzopardi)

As we made our descent I couldn’t help but admire the beauty of the wall to our side, dropping into the darker blues of the depths below us.  And looking behind us, the silhouetted view of Reqqa’s pinnacle receding into the distance as the light grew ever fainter was a sight to behold.  Fish darted around as we made our way to deeper waters.

The Pinnacle at Reqqa (Image: Brian Azzopardi)

We then came across this ghostly creature.  We also saw some nice Dentex at depth.

Ghosts of the deep. (Image: Brian Azzopardi)

When our bottom time was up, we proceeded to a shallower level, being greeted by wonderful schools of fish dancing around.

Fish glimmering in sunlight. (Image: Brian Azzopardi)

Upon reaching the 21m mark, we could safely switch to our decompression gas.

Switching to our deco gas. (Image: Brian Azzopardi)

Decompression is never boring when you have the majesty of underwater cliffs to explore.

Finning by the wall at Reqqa. (Image: Brian Azzopardi)

Here’s another angle of the wall, with fish dancing underneath a cliff-hang.

Silhouetted fish underneath a cliff drop.  (Image: Brian Azzopardi)

As if to entertain us while completing our decompression, a school of Salema came close by, busily scurrying around in pools of ever-brightening light.

A school of Salemas going about with their business. (Image: Brian Azzopardi)

We then ascended to our next decompression stop, always surrounded by stunning rock formations and beautiful shafts of sunlight.

Some of the shallow-water scenery of Reqqa. (Image: Brian Azzopardi)

But the dive wasn’t over yet.  Once again, we were very lucky to encounter the rare jelly Aequorea victoria.  That’s twice in a week, in two completely different sites!

Aequorea victoria (Image: Brian Azzopardi)

Having completed the final decompression stop, I hovered by the exit ladder for an additional safety stop of 3mins.

Completing the final decompression stop (Image: Brian Azzopardi)

When all was done, it was time to make our way out of the water using the newly-reinstalled ladder.

Proceeding to the ladder. (Image: Brian Azzopardi)

It’s always nice to be welcomed by warm sunlight when you emerge from underwater!

The trusty Atlantis Landy waiting for us in the sun.

Here goes a screenshot of the dive profile as recorded by the Shearwater Petrel 2 dive computer (black line=dive profile, red=decompression ceiling).

The dive profile (black line).

As a bonus, here’s a very quick edit I did of the footage that Brian obtained during this dive:

Finally, the dive log entry is found below.  Until the next one, happy & safe diving to all!

Dive Log Info
Date: 01/04/2017
Site: Reqqa
Time in: 09:56
Time out: 11:05
Runtime: 69mins
Max Depth: 55.4m
Max TTS: 25mins
Bottom Temperature: 15ºC
Visibility: Good

4 thoughts on “Technical Dive at Reqqa

  1. This is really safe diving done with intelligence and good knowledge of the technology, and the underwater environment. Unfortuntely this site was a natural abode for a number of groupers which have disappeared. Such kind of diving gives you pleasure, relaxation and satisfaction. Well done Joseph & Brian and thanks for sharing.

    1. Thanks, Mario! There’s still plenty of marine life at this site, which helps make Reqqa a really wonderful dive. I can’t really comment about its past as that’s before my time, but grouper numbers have indeed diminished over the years. Proper enforcement of designated marine protected areas is key.

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