Bucket list?

[drrich2]

I have heard that sea lions are extremely aggressive and dangerous.

What kind? Even those really big stellar sea lions, that in pictures look like underwater bears to me, are something some people dive with. The only sea lions I dove with were California sea lions (also saw harbor seals), and neither was aggressive. I've read bull California sea lions can be bad news if they think you're moving in on their harems.

I'm not saying you can't get bit or that none are dangerous; just trying to find out what might be putting you off the idea.

Richard.

 

[Eric T Lewis]

Don't know. Something I saw on one of those nature channels said the sea lions were aggressive and dangerous. I live in Florida, we have manatees. Harmless creatures. I know nothing of sea lions, that's why I was just going on what they said on the show.

 

[Cali_diver]

Maybe @Eric T Lewis is thinking about Leopard seals or Elephant seals...

In general sea lions are pretty curious and playful. The bulls will give you a few warnings if you are in the wrong area though. Up to you to heed the warnings.

 

[Dan]

Check out this scary Cabo Pulmo Sea Lion: Dropbox - Cabo Sea Lion.MP4

 

[Moray]

What kind? Even those really big stellar sea lions, that in pictures look like underwater bears to me, are something some people dive with. The only sea lions I dove with were California sea lions (also saw harbor seals), and neither was aggressive. I've read bull California sea lions can be bad news if they think you're moving in on their harems.

I'm not saying you can't get bit or that none are dangerous; just trying to find out what might be putting you off the idea.

Richard.

Leopard seals in the Antarctic

 

[Dan]

Leopard seal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In 2003, a leopard seal dragged snorkelingbiologist Kirsty Brown of the British Antarctic Surveynearly 200 ft (61 m) underwater to her death, in what was identified as the first known human fatality from a leopard seal.

 

[mattia_v]

Off the top of my head bucketlist:
1) Galapagos Liveaboard (did a few day dives, but that only made me want to do more)
2) Cocos Island (love Sharks)
3) Raja Ampat N+S liveaboard (1 week resort based whet my appetite)
4) South Africa, Sardine Run
5) Fiji
6) French Polynesia
7) PNG
8) Maldives

 

[Resqdivemedic]

1. Silfra Fissure in Iceland
2. Missle silo in Washington State
3. U853 off the coast of RI

 

[Eric T Lewis]

Leopard seal

You guys are right. I was remembering the leopard seal. It is in the Antarctic and I wanted to dive the Arctic. So I guess it's a non issue. Thanks for the info.

 

[drrich2]

The Arctic doesn't have leopard seals, true...it has polar bears! And that can be an issue. From DAN's Alert Diver Magazine, online version, In the Company of Polar Bears, by Amos Nachoum. Here's an excerpt:

"Instead, I entered the water to find the bear was already making its way toward me. Looking behind me for my safety diver, I discovered he was not there. Smart of him! When I turned back, the bear was only 10 feet away from me. At that point, my best move seemed to be to descend, but every time I looked up, the bear paws above my head loomed nearer. Cold fear entered my mind, but with each breath I took comfort in knowing I still lived.

We dived together, the bear and me, in a deadly race to the depths."

Granted, he was looking for and studying polar bears, so it was not a random attack on a civilian.

Richard.