Young diver experiences the thrill of being inside a bait ball

Bait balls are large schools of fish that congregate together to avoid predators. They rely on the principal of "safety in numbers" and they swim together with a remarkably fluid movement that suggests they are all somehow communicating and acting as one. Most divers have seen these bait balls from afar, or possibly even close up, and the sight is spectacular. Occasionally, a scuba diver gets the opportunity to swim through one and the effect is unforgettable.

Serena is a young, but seasoned scuba diver who has seen ship wrecks, whale sharks, hammerheads, sea turtles, and stingrays close up. She has logged well over 100 dives in the Atlantic Ocean, The Pacific Ocean, and in Canadian lakes. But despite all her experience, it is still a thrill to see a large bait ball. and she can't resist the urge to swim through it. Serena spins and drifts, taking it all in as the fish make a space and then close in around her.

Seeing a bait ball from inside provides a visual effect that is simply stunning. Silver scales and colorful stripes are all that can be seen for a minute or two until the bait ball moves on and the diver is left in the open water again.

This dive took place near Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos. The Galapagos Islands are one of the most diverse and beautiful areas on earth. The animal life here is unique and beautiful and many have adapted to thrive in a world that can be both breath taking and hostile at the same time. For scuba divers like Serena, each trip beneath the waves is an adventure like no other.