EASTERN CAROLINE ISLANDS – FREE DIVER
(Click to enlarge)
Kalio became our guide and friend when we were doing a scientific survey on his island, a true atoll in the Eastern Caroline Islands. (Federated States of Micronesia).
We have not located Kalio on Facebook, not yet, but we are exchanging notes with a younger former resident who remembers our visit – (arriving in a Grumman Hu-16 Albatross seaplane, see Fathom 1).
These pictures show Kalio free diving in front of his island home. Water visibility a constant 200 feet and sea water temperature luke-warm. The closest to a diving paradise I’ve experienced. This was 1969 – dive gear was still traditional Polynesian.
Even so Kalio was reaching a depth close to 20 meters – without fins or snorkel. The spear being used was a very light gauge and about 3.5 meters long with a single flopper – essential length for getting close to the tiny reef fish.