| TURTLE
PINNACLE |
This
popular state dive is a Mecca for turtle observation, hence its name.
Besides the normal Hawaiian flora and fauna, an abundance green sea
turtles thrive at this area, because of a central cleaning station that is
positioned between three lava pinnacles. Here on any given day, a minimum
of 5 to 7 adult turtles can be found in a trance like state, having their
shells cleaned by the various species of trigger fish and tangs. |
| MANTA
RAY VILLAGE |
This
dive site lies just west of the Kona surf hotel, who because of their
bright hotel lights, which can readily be seen from the water, attract
lots of plankton during the hours of darkness. As a result over the years
the local manta rays have learned this, and have adapted their behavior
for nighttime banquets. As a result manta rays are the main attraction of
this site. Various dive boats display lights to further attract plankton
on order to lure manta. The manta’s can be frequently observed cruising
the drop-off on this site as well. |
| AMPHITHEATRE |
This
is another dive site that has had its named coined from the bottom
topography. Upon entering this site and heading north from the boat’s
mooring point, a large crater like depression can be found in the sea
floor, with a swim through coming in from the west, it gives you the
impression you are entering the stage area of a play, in some quaint
amphitheater. Besides its namesake, this area is a good area for photo
opportunities of the various reef fish in the area. With lizard fish and
dragon wrasse’s found in the sand chute to the south. |
| LION’S
DEN |
This
is one of our few sites that actually derived its name from the topography
above sea level. On arrival at this site many caves can be seen on the
shore, that looks somewhat akin to a lion’s den. This site has something
for everyone, from the interesting finger ridges and cuts that come out
from shore, to the local turtles that cruise the area. For keen eye, the
odd Spanish dancer, box fish, and nudibranches can be found along the
coral, which has formed on the large lava boulders in this area. |
| ROB’S
REEF |
This
is a great dive location that cannot be entirely seen in one day. Named
after the local turtles "Roberta", who visits the back of the
boat frequently to say "hi". This site has lava tubes, caverns,
and larger swim through for the adventurous. Also for the photo minded,
turkey fish, croc eels, octopus, Spanish dancers, and much more can be
found on the reef. With the drop off only minutes away, a deep dive down
the coral garden drop-off can also start the day. |
| PARADISE
PINNACLE |
This
site has had its name coined from two sources, "paradise" being
the local Hawaiian village in close proximity to the site, and the large
"pinnacle" that looms out of the deep towering from 100 feet of
water. This is a good dive for those enjoy pushing the boat depth limit of
110’. Wire coral, garden eels, the odd black coral, and if you are lucky,
hammerhead sharks await the deep
diver. But if you are not that adventurous, in the shallows, dwarf eels,
turkey fish, tiger cowries, and sometimes white tip reef sharks can be
found.
|
| AU
AU CRATER |
This
site was named after the local lava crater that is due north on the big
island. Because of the lava flows long since forgotten this area abounds
in shear drop-offs to 250’ and beyond. Because of the endemic species
found deep here, such as tilefish and tinkers butterfly, the depth limit
is increased to 120’. Like Paradise, all the fauna found at depth area
also here, with the bottom topography a bit more dramatic. |
| THE
HIVE |
This
site is so called on account of one of the bommies being surrounded by
damselfish, which makes it look like a bee hive from a distance. Besides
the bommie that is the main feature of this site. There are several more
to explore and photograph with the numerous reef fish of this area. In
particular hairy hermit crabs, goldlace nudies, and gorgonian gobies can
also be found. If coral gardens are to your liking, then the coral
drop-off can be found again if a westerly route is taken. |
| THE
MAZE |
Once
you have dived this site, you will see that the name is well suited with
the dozens of small bommies that litter the bottom making a lava maze of
coral formations. Another bottom feature of this area is a large
underwater ridge that runs from 20’ to 200’. Upon this ridge often
whitetip sharks and hammerheads can be found cruising. Also a large ships
anchor for photo opportunities and a large patch of garden eels also can
be found. |
| OKOE
BAY |
This
bay being one of the crew’s favorite’s because of the frequent visits
of the local dolphins, that have allowed crew and quests alike to snorkel
very close to their pods. In relation to diving, numerous bommies exist
with good opportunities for divers shooting macro, and for fish
identification among the shallow coral gardens. |
| MANUKA
BAY |
Divers
rarely visit another lovely Hawaiian bay that. As a result rare frogfish
can be found and photographed. Moray eels also abound in the cuts and
finger ridges that originate from the shallows. Schools of barracuda can
also be found on the outskirts of the bay, along with pods of dolphins
from time to time. |
| STONEY
MESAS |
Although
sometimes surges, this super dive site is found smack in the middle of
three large lava plateau’s that look somewhat like the mesas from New
Mexico. In this area because of its proximity to deep water, it is not
uncommon to see hammerhead sharks, and large manta rays swimming off the
drop off. But keep your eyes peeled at the reef for lionfish, a variety of
nudies, and colorful myriad of butterfly fish. |
| POHUE
CANYONS |
This
often forgotten gem of a dive is difficult to get to on account of
unpredictable seas and weather. But once visited is worth the wait, with
broad ridges of lava and coral in grand dimensions. With the underwater
topography often looking like undersea canyons that are usually only
visible in deep water. Many reef fish with abundant critter life on the
walls of the canyon. |
| RAINBOW
REEF |
This
site is apply named because of the collection of reeffish located in the
coral gardens. Because of the reef’s isolation divers rarely visit it.
As a result numerous species which are considered rare on some Hawaiian
reefs, i.e. flame angels, can be found here. Numerous cuts and groves in
the reef add to its attractiveness. |
| MEADOWS |
This
is one of the few state sites that are south of Kailua. Named after the
impression the site left by the first divers visiting, on account of the
numerous sand chutes that exist between the cuts and groves of the reef.
Some believe they are similar to a spring meadow with the abundance of
marine life. Bottom topography is also very interesting in this area. But
be careful some of the swim through although inviting, have exits very
small and not readily visible. But the opening make great photo
opportunities just the same. |
| DRIFTWOODS |
This
site has an abundance of driftwood on shore, hence the name. Area also has
several interesting areas of tongue and groove cuts of reef travelling
east to west from shore. Which terminate onto the coral garden drop-off,
where numerous types of the local coral can be identified. |
| THREE
ROOM CAVE |
This
dive is for divers, which have at least some experience in overhead
environments. This is a large cavern system, which penetrates east into
the island from about 50 to 60 feet. Because of the exposure this site has
to the weather, it is difficult for divers to be deployed on this site on
a regular basis. This site is highly supervised by instructors. |
| TUBASTRAEA
TUNNEL |
This
is a very special dive site. Named after the brilliant tubastraea coral
that abounds on the many swim through and lava tubes of this area.POHUE
BAYA lovely natural Hawaiian bay, which abounds in coral gardens with a
large population of endemic Hawaiian fish and critter species. |
| THOMPSONS
REEF |
This
is a secluded reef, in which many tongue and groove cut the reef from
shore and flow out to a gentle sandy bottom. Coral gardens abound in this
area. |
| OZ |
This
site is special both for the beautiful underwater topography and the
frequent sighting of juvenile frog fish. |
| SHARKFIN
ROCK |
This
site abounds with coral gardens in fairly shallow water, with a severe
drop-off to the west of the site where large pelagics can be observed. |
| CATACOMBS |
Divers
will find this site very similar to Thompson’s reef as it lays in the
same reef system. The main feature of this site is the small system of
caves, which are populated with reef fish. |
| WALLS
WALL |
Fans
of Au Au Crater will love this site with the mini walls and vertical
drop-offs with black coral in abundance on the deeper slopes. |
| BLACK
CORAL FORREST |
A
Forest of 6’ black coral trees and beautiful underwater sand dunes. |
