The weather is overcast, the water is cold, do I really want to get out of bed?

How many times have we cancelled a dive because of these questions? Sunday the 5th October we were confronted this situation but thankfully we toughened up and had yet another memorable dive at the Cod Grounds. It started as usual at the shop loading the boat with low clouds on the mountain and the prospect of rain.
There were 7 of us diving today and not really knowing what to expect, hopefully a few sharks. We launched the boat and our hopes were raised when the depth sounder showed 22 degrees much better than the 18 we had last weekend. When we crossed the bar reality yet again slapped us in the face with the temperature now showing 16 degrees.
On the way out to the site we came across a pod of dolphins who bow rode with us for a short time. We were just powering down on the Cod Grounds when what looked like more dolphins were seen 20 metres from the boat but after a closer look we realized it was a pair of seals.
Every one was geared up and in the water in quick time hoping for a seal encounter. We started our decent and the water visibility was not the best as well as cold. About 10 metres from the surface the visibility improved but the water temperature dropped; maybe I should have stayed in bed. We had just reached the bottom and had a quick look for sharks when the seals arrived. It's not the first time we have had seals at the Cod Grounds but one of these guys was real inquisitive and seemed to check every diver out in turn. Seals posse's real hypnotic power and when ever they float upside down looking at divers it's amazing how divers turn upside down to look at them. The seals then left us to dive around the pinnacle looking for some sharks.
We saw about 6 Grey nurse, 2 wobbies and a Port Jackson. Scott even managed to terrorize a slipper gray for a picture. When we reached the anchor line to start our ascent we even had whale songs it was a good but chilly 13 degree dive.
Back on the boat we were just getting our gear off when a whale surfaced not 3 metres from the back of the boat which nearly blew Michelle back into the water. During our interval we sighted whales everywhere it was the most I have seen in a while. The second dive was done with the visibility dropping but no seals. While the divers were doing there safety stop those of us on the boat watched as a seal came back in and circled their bubbles.
So next time you wake getting ready for a dive and the weather looks like crap just suck on some rocks and toughen up you just might have a good dive.