Signs of life ! size as Trieste is just along the coast , with its deep-water , industrial port .
Soon after leaving the shore , the rocks and boulder habitat gives way to soft , sandy mud . This area has little biodiversity , but there is nevertheless a lot to see . It is home to large numbers of dark sea cucumbers , Mediterranean fan worms and the noble pen shell or pen mussel – the largest bivalve in the Med . The vast majority of life inhabits the cracks and crevices within the sandstone sarsens nearer the beach . Here , you can also spot plenty of wrasse , bream , spiny spider crab and evidence of octopus . The ability to wear nothing but shorts , leave my towel by a sun-lounger , wade out
In deeper waters , Andy searches for the elusive octopus into the warm sea and return for expresso or a post-snorkel glass of wine felt very decadent . “ I could get used to this ,” I pondered , basking in the Adriatic sun . And that ’ s exactly the problem – the novelty , the luxury would begin to pall .
Joking aside , super clear water and predictable marine life don ’ t quite do it for me . Life would just get dull . As much as I enjoyed my excursion in the ‘ premium ’ end of the snorkelling market , I still want to seek the adventure of snorkelling next to icebergs , down rivers and in mountain pools .
All that being said , everyone needs a holiday from time to time , so I might just pop back to the azure waters of Miramare before this job is done and I have to fly home . Just one more time ... �
Andy gazes out at the azure water … with sunbeds and cafe awaiting his return
For more information on snorkelling with BSAC go to bsac . com / snorkelling Looking to introduce snokelling into your club ? Find out more at bsac . com / snorkellinginstructor
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