3.25.14 Spitting Caves: Sharks n’ Lobstah
At 0830 Capt. Kendall and his trusty sidekick Parker (crew) lead the Sea Fox out of Koko Marina and into Maunalua Bay. With 7 divers aboard, including myself, we set our sights on LCU wreck as the first dive site of the morning. As we steamed out to the dive site, we passed a large humpback whale doing some impressive fin slapping.
After mooring at the site, the intrepid dive group entered the water and began exploring the large wreck. The LCU (landing craft utility) is a large upside-down landing craft vessel–reminiscent of D-Day–and an artifact of World War II. The impressive structure makes for an excellent dive, as it is easy to enter, provides a spacious overhead environment, and a great deal of three-dimensional space for coral growth as well as numerous refugia for cryptic critters. After a 40 minute dive, we returned to the surfaces for sugary treats and vitamin D.
After changing tanks, warming up, and doing our buddy checks, we had completed a sufficient surface interval and were ready to reenter the water. Capt Kendall then brought us to Portlock Point where we drift-dove Spitting Caves. With a moderate westerly current, he dropped us at the popular sea cliffs known as China Walls and we drifted around the point into Maunalua Bay. After Instructor Sam and Crew Parker made two additional diver checks, we lined up like lemmings and went in “paratrooper style” (negatively buoyant as to stay as one group) off the stern of the Sea Fox. Descending together, we dropped to around 45′ and began our Westward progression, drifting nearly 1 km.
It was a great dive. Although there was a good deal of surge, it added a sort of mystical haze near the surface as large schools of baitfish morphed with the surge. A total of 6 white tip reef sharks were seen in the caves, some nearly 7′! But not to fear, white tips are shy and completely harmless – we were fortunate to have seen them and so many! Unfortunate was the fact that 3 of the sharks seen were hooked with large gauge hooks, swivels, and ganions. We also saw a banded spiny lobster; this elusive critter is a rarity (although data deficient, the species is presumed endangered) so it is very fortunate Dave spotted the little guy with his keen eyes. Moreover, there were plenty of stonefish and lizardfish, morays, and several octopi. When we began to run low on air, I deployed my surface marker buoy. After completeing our safety stop, we surfaced and I signaled for Capt. Kendall to come over and scoop us up in the Sea Fox. It was a great dive shared by good divers. Thanks for reading!
sharky – little white tip shark in a cave with a few larger friends just out of frame to the right
stonefish doing what he does best
banded spiny lobster – an elusive and rare sight
LCU (landing craft utility) wreck
Staff: Capt. Kendall, Parker (Crew), Sam (Instructor), Zach (assisting DM)
Divers: David, Paul, Jeff, Craig, Scott, Sam, and Zach
Weather Conditions: Good. Clear and Calm. Light Trade Winds. Partially cloudy. Warm (temp. high 70s – low 80s)
Dive Sites: LCU Wreck and Spitting Caves
Dive Conditions: @LCU vis. 90’+, max depth 95′, 40 min. dive time, water temp 76 f, mild westerly current; @Spitting Caves vis 50’+, max depth 50′, 42 min. dive time, water temp 76 f, mild westerly current
Marine Life Observed: white tip reef sharks, banded spiny lobster, frog fish, moray eels, turtles, octopi, lizardfish, stonefish, crown of thorns, nudibranchs, leaf scorpionfish, annnnd a humpback whale doing some impressive fin slapping.
