Today was all about getting our feet—or fins—wet. We kicked things off with a morning snorkel just off the shore near Glover’s Research Station. It wasn’t meant to be anything too serious—just a chance to try out our gear and adjust to being back in the water. Even though it was a test run, I couldn’t help scanning for signs of soft corals, my assigned group. Spoiler: I found some!

The real show came after lunch when we headed to Long Point, also known as “the aquarium” (for good reason). The water was crystal-clear and the reef felt alive with color and motion. I spent most of my time trailing over the coral beds, and I was thrilled to spot several soft coral species: waving purple sea fans, elegant black sea rods, and the distinct branching shapes of circle sea rods. These corals don’t build the reef like their stony cousins, but they add a ton of texture, color, and motion to the underwater scene.

There’s something mesmerizing about the way soft corals move with the current—almost like underwater plants, except they’re very much animals. I’m excited to keep learning more about them and to see how their presence changes depending on where we snorkel.

Not a bad start for day one. Gear tested, fins working, and soft corals officially spotted.