November 2015 - Page 2 of 3 - Island Divers Hawaii

Afternoon Delight with a sprinkle of Dolphins! 11/16

November 16, 2015/in Uncategorized/by Mary Christensen

The last of the tradewinds was with us on our afternoon dives today. Just a little bouncy on top but great viz under the waves. Today we and a great crew on board with a PADI DSD (discover scuba diving) and certs. Koko Craters was full of turtles which always makes for excited divers. Had one turtle that just swam straight at the camera really wanting her picture taken. Also had a charming little octopus that came out to play.

Flying Hawaiian Green Honu

After we boarded the boat we got an amazing visit from a pod of spinner dolphins which is an fantastic treat for us!!

Spinner Dolphins!!!

After that excitement, who that it could get better? Well, it did! The DMC’s had to do a Search and Recovery Scenario and then we were all off to dive again! It was an Eel Bonanza on Turtle Canyon today. I think we saw every type of eel on the reef. Just enjoying the dive we spotted a rare Saddled Butterfly fish!! Very exciting day for our certified divers and our first time diver. Really proud of our DMC’s which are at the end of their training, how lucky we are to have them here. This day was A+!

Dueling Eels

White Mouth Moray

Amazing Divers: Nolan, Leslie, David, Nathan, Landin with Abby Snorkeling. DMC’s Steven and Tyler

Crew: Captain Joe, Dive Instructors Mary and Larry, boat crew Jenowa

Dive Sites: Koko Craters and Turtle Canyon, Max depth 37 feet, Viz 80 feet

Another Beautiful Three Tanker! 11/15

November 15, 2015/in Uncategorized/by Mary Christensen

Had some wind today which means waves, but our die hard divers were ready to go. Dropping on the 1948 Corsair plane was our first stop. Was such a clear dive and there were plenty of marine life around. Was a bit of a current today, no one seemed to mind.

Because of the current our next dive was the “Barge Drift”. We dropped on the shark cave near Baby Barge and got to see lots of turtles and even a shark. Taking our next compass heading we drifted to New Barge were a few of our divers even went inside. Next heading taken and we were off to LCU, which was great but we ran out of bottom time. Was great to see all the sites like that though…..everyone really enjoyed getting to see 4 out of 5 wrecks in the area.

Viper

Last dive was at Fantasy Reef. First thing we got to encounter was a couple of Octopus. One came out for everyone to see and take pictures of then went straight back to his place with the other. It was kind of magical to see them so active and out and about. The turtles as always were out in force but quite a few were tucked up in their sleeping places. Always such a job to see the big Hawaiian green sea turtles about. We drifted for quite awhile exploring all the hiding places for the marine life there. What an amazing day!!

Fantasy Reef East Mooring

Capt. Joe and Kelsey put on a great lunch for us between dives, had pineapple and chocolates for us after the last dive. Also had hot minty towels to clean up with. This makes the dives even more special to be treated so well on the boat after.

Dive Sites: Corsair, max depth 107. Barge Drift, max depth 85 feet. Fantasy Reef, max depth 56 feet. 100 ft Viz.

Amazing Divers: Erika, Farkas, Greg, Lee, Mark, Peter, Ashleigh, Stephen and Justin. DM & DMC’s Stephen, Tyler and Luke.

Crew: Captain Joe, Instructor Mary and Kelsey

Baby Barge and Delightful Fantasy 11/14

November 14, 2015/in Uncategorized/by Mary Christensen

Baby barge is one of our favorite wreck dives. The beautiful Hawaiian skies were blue, the surrounding mountains and craters were green and we are going diving. The tradewinds were back and made the top a little choppy. Underwater was be crazy clear. The beautiful Hawaiian Green Sea turtles were out and our divers were all thrilled to dive with them. We also got to see quite a few eels and tons of reef fish.

Our favorite turtle spot is always Fantasy Reef and yet again they were all there!! Well, it always seems like that. The turtles were everywhere today and it always brings smiles to the faces of the divers. The eyes light up and everyone just seems to slow down to watch the dance of the turtles in the water columns. It was such a relaxing drift dive as we floated along. We also found not one, not two but THREE huge Tridents trumpets in one spot. So crazy to see that and so wonderful. The ocean always gives us such and amazing show. All the divers had a great time, after the dives Capt Joe and Kelsey had hot towels and fresh pineapple for us. What a perfect end for the dive day!

Tridents Trumpet

Thank you to all our fantastic divers: Christian, Curtis, James, John, Lee, Nick, Katie, and Sarah.

Our Amazing DMCs: Luke, Steven, Lauren and Tyler.

Crew: Capt. Joe, Instructors Mary and Sarah, boat crew Kelsey!

Dive Sites: Baby Barge, Wreck, Max Depth 85 feet. and Fantasy Reef, Drift, Max Depth 56 feet. Viz on both 100

What a Friday for Diving!

November 13, 2015/in Uncategorized/by Jeremy Sanders-Lewis

A fine Friday of diving at KoKo Craters (38ft) and Turtle Canyon (40ft) gave our divers some excellent time under water. With certified divers, discover scuba divers, and open water students all out with us, we gave some first time divers a chance to be under the waves with turtles, eels, octopus, and eagle rays. A very good way to prepare for the weekend.

TURTLE CIRCUS !! 12 nov

November 13, 2015/in Dive Reports/by Larry Hogan

Strong winds can create big waves, and that was the case this morning. but below the surface the diving was spectacular, with mild current and 200 foot visibility. Baby Barge, and its variety of marine life, was our first dive, and the marine life did not let us down! So many Hawaiin green sea turtles there today, and they were quite active, swimming around, over, and above us, which left us feeling like we were watching a turtle circus! quite a dive! 2nd jump was a drift of Fantasy Reef. waves were still big, but the current was perfect for a drift dive, and the viz was still 200 feet! more turtles, octopus, sharks, eels, frogfish, rock scorpion fish just to name a few. a world class drift dive! thanks to all for safe diving! larry, ashley, max, kendal

Baby barge 80 deep 200 viz 35 min

Fantasy reef 52 deep 200 viz 48 min

An Afternoon with Turtles.

November 12, 2015/in Uncategorized/by Jeremy Sanders-Lewis

Our afternoon took us to Anglers Reef (45ft) and KoKo Craters (37ft) to help one local soldier renew her commitment and service to our country. While down there we were visited by the ever present Hawaiian Green Sea turtles. Not a bad way to end the day.

Rocking Rescue Class!!

November 11, 2015/in Dive Reports, Diving Courses/by Mary Christensen

It was a hard but fun class….that is the way Rescue always is. Don was an Excellent student and really is a great student and a Fantastic PADI Rescue Diver. He listened and then acted on this making him one of the easiest students to have. Corrected things he didn’t get just right at first then perfecting his skill.

Our pool session went smoothly then we had the open water rescue dives. We always have to deal with what mother nature hands us on the ocean check out dives. Today was wind and waves…..I was impressed on how he carried over what he learned in the pool and with PADI E-Learning to our practical experience off the boat. Luke was our DMC, who helped with the class and also was a great victim.

My hat is off to both of you for excellent execution of the skills. Great Job both of you for your part in the class!!!

Sharks, Turtles, Monk Seals, oh my!

November 11, 2015/in Uncategorized/by Jeremy Sanders-Lewis

Today we decided to dive the LCU (90ft) and Fantasy Reef (55ft). It was an awesome day for diving that brought sharks, turtles, eagle rays, barracuda, and to save the best for last, the Hawaiian Monk Seal. Total chance and absolutely amazing.

1948 to 2015 Corsair 11/9

November 9, 2015/in Dive Reports/by Mary Christensen

The group was smaller today so our choice was the downed 1948 Corsair. Everything was perfect for the dive today, 100+ Viz, a little current at the top and blue skies. At the bottom there was very little current and a wide selection of reef fish, eels and even a big old lobster!! The garden eels off to the side doing their hypnotic dance in the sand. The dive was peaceful and amazing. Great time to let our photographers take pictures and really inspect the wreck.

Front view of Corsair

Top view of the wreck from 70 feet above it!

We opted to do Fantasy Reef as our second dive, what a relaxing drift dive there. The amazing huge green sea turtles were out and about for most of the dive. All of them so very interested in us and swimming around. We floated along taking in the sights, everyone with smiles. On the boat ride home we even got to see a Hawaiian Monk Seal!!! What a fun day!

Male Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle at Fantasy

Amazing Divers today: Lara, Pastor Tim, Dan, and Paul. DMC’s Steven, Luke and Tyler.

Dive Crew: Captain Joe, Dive Instructor Mary, DM Manny.

Sites: Corsair, max depth 107 feet, viz 100+, Fantasy Reef, max depth 56 feet, viz 80 feet.

Turtle Sunday

November 8, 2015/in Uncategorized/by Jeremy Sanders-Lewis

This afternoon’s dives were done at Koko Crater (38ft) and Turtle Canyon (40ft). We got a great chance to give a couple Discover Scuba Divers the opportunity to dive up close and personal with several Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles on their firsteam dives ever. Along with the turtles we got to see Scorpion Fish and a variety of eels.