Seward

Shane Brewster

A group of us headed down to Seward for the weekend to do some underwater hunting out at Barwell Island. The hunting was successful, and since we had our limit in Black rockfish, we decided to visit "Atlantis". This pinnacle lies submerged at high tide in Eldorado Narrows about 18 miles from Seward. I have a friend living there at about 80 feet below the surface. His name is Atlas and he is a very old and mature wolf-eel. Every time I see him, I bring him a tasty purple sea urchin. He comes out of his castle with great marvel. His gray and black body is about 8 feet long and he loves to eat those urchins. We watched him for about 5 minutes or so wrestling with the urchin. Then I decided to help him out and break the urchin into smaller pieces. Ever so cautiously I reached in and gently removed the urchin from his mouth.  It seemed as though he knew what I was about to do. He watched me open it up waiting so patiently then I offered it to him again. He ate it without hesitation. Our bottom time was nearing its end, so we headed towards the surface to watch the giant barnacles sway their beautiful apparitions in the current. After a safety stop, we surfaced. Staying in the water, I doffed all my SCUBA gear and under the bright sun I swam back to "Atlantis".

The tide was ebbing so the city was becoming more evident. Waves were building on the seaward side and curling to the east and west. As I swam closer, about 20 feet down below me the colors of all the inhabitants became clear. The purple sponges, red, orange, purple and green starfish shone brilliantly with the suns penetrating rays. Dozens of anemones grasped to the rock and swayed with the swell.  I even noticed a couple of sea mussels feeding. The giant barnacles all looked wonderful with the corals growing on them. Some vacant barnacles were even occupied by some small crabs. After about 30 minutes with my face in the water, I wanted to dive down and see things a little closer and more personal. I swam back to the boat, which had headed my direction with the change of wind and asked Tyler to pass me down a weight belt. I donned the belt and checked my buoyancy. Perfect. I was ready for some free diving.

Effortlessly I did several surface dives.  The silence of the underwater world was ever so peaceful. I found myself not wanting to exit, but the growls from my stomach were a sign that it was time.

Ever so often, we get a chance to see the sun here in Alaska. If you are out diving and the suns rays are bright. After the dive, doff that heavy gear, stay in the water and let your body rest and your eyes delight.