OK, it’s not Tuesday, but the erudite reader will not have to google the reference. and there were lots of morays out there today and almost all were accompanied by friendly crabs, shrimp, or pipe fish! Viz was 90 feet at Kahala Barge and we got to see some good-sized trevally swimming around, plus octopus, and lots of fish on the barge deck! 2nd jump was a drift of Fantasy Reef, awesome as always! this is a great site for morays, actually a great site for everything we see out here! we saw white tip sharks, octopus, and eagle rays, to name a few! Plus great topography!! another awesome day of Oahu scuba diving!
https://i0.wp.com/www.oahuscubadiving.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/octo-head.jpg?fit=2048%2C2042&ssl=120422048Larry Hoganhttps://www.oahuscubadiving.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/logo111.pngLarry Hogan2014-03-15 03:09:062014-08-12 11:26:53Tuesdays with morays
Eager divers and travelers, Camilo and Adriana were a refreshing sight for Davy’s tired instructor eyes. It was even more refreshing when minutes before the end of our second dive we had an Octopus Rendezvous which set the energy soaring.
Meanwhile back at the ranch, a hawaiian swimming crab was spotted trying to mind his own business. Epic blue suberite sponge was appreciated and admired. Thriving inside it’s home at New Barge this yellow margin eel is king of it’s castle. Make way! Hip hip hooray for New Barge and good luck Camilo on your PADI Dive Master Course.
Safe Travels and Safe Diving,
Davy
Hawaiian Swimming Crab
Yellow Margin Moray
Camilo & Adriana
Blue Suberite Sponge
Weather Conditions: NE winds, Sunny day, Seas at 4ft
Dive Site: New Barge and Fantasy Reef
Dive conditions: 100 ft viz, 76 F – getting warmer, slight current
Marine Life: Yellow Margin Morays, Hawaiian Swimming crab, Blue Suberites, and Octopus
Staff: Captain Kendal, Lead Staff Davy, Crew Mia, Bodhi
We had a full boat this morning aboard the Sea Fox, also known as the Fantasy Landing Craft. At 830, Captain Kendalltron 7000 brought us out of the marina and into Hanauma Bay. After a short steam to the southwest, we reached our first dive site: the LCU wreck. The LCU is a an upside down landing craft utility vessel; such vessels are used by amphibious military forces to transport military personnel and equipment to the shore. This particular wreck lies in approximately 95′ of water and is mostly intact. After we “geared up,” it was time to enter the water. Descending down the tag and mooring lines, divers made their way to the top of the wreck (the bottom of the overturned vessel). Visibility was good and the current was mild. Making our way around the base of the wreck first, divers explored the many refuges and hideaways to be found in the concrete blocks that skirt the wreck (concrete blocks were used to sink the wreck so they are abundant at the site). After exploring the perimeter, divers made their way along the sides and top (bottom) of the wreck before ending the dive. Frogfish, morays, scorpionfish, nudibranchs, cushion stars, and reef fish were abundant on site. An octopus and spotted eagle ray were also seen.
After a short surface interval, Cap. Kendalltron brought us over to Fantasy Reef where we tied up to the westernmost mooring and entered the water. Fantasy Reef consists of two large reef structures, several smaller surrounding reef heads, and abundant “swim throughs”. We saw plenty of turtles, large morays, pufferfish, some octopi, numerous reef fish species (e.g. triggers, damsels, butterfly-fish, wrasse, coneys). After skirting the perimeter of the two reef structures, we bisected the reef to reach the mooring and exited the water. Captain Kendalltron then brought us safely back to the marina.
Conditions: Warm, Partially cloudy with a mild northeast breeze.
Clear visibility: 80’+
Dive Sites: LCU and Fantasy Reefs
Dive Conditions: LCU 80+ vis., max depth 95′, 30 min. dive time, water temp 76 f, West current; Fantasy Reef 60+ vis., max depth 52′, 76 f, moderate west current
Marine life observed: frog fish, moray eels, crown of thorns, turtles, spotted eagle ray, octopi
Staff: Capt Kendall, Instructors Sam and David, and Crew Dene
We saw a TURTLE! actually, lots of them, plus eels, including a viper moray, frogfish, an octopus, and loads of reef fish. skies were blue, water was warm, with a bit of surge at Koko Craters and Turtle Canyons. TJ was teaching OW 3/4, while i had some intro divers, plus some certified ones.
Wednesday night Stu, Ryan, Brent, Nic, Mike and I all jumped into super clear water and descended on the Kahala Barge. Once again we had divers with torches in their hands that shined like the sun; its always an impressive sight. I was interested to see what crawls and swims at night on wrecks. Every hole I looked into: slipper lobster. No joke. Down inside the barge? Blue crab. Delicious. We moved onto the Sea Cave. Brilliant. A Black Trevally meets us at the entrance. Delicious. Lobster everywhere, starting to get hungry…. Surf and Turf anyone? And then Surf again?
Troops gear up to the setting sun.
Shramp!
The slipper lobster eyeballs dubiously.
Green flash?
Weather Conditions: Normal Trade Winds, Ocean Waves <1ft, 80F Air Temp
Dive Sites: Kahala Barge, Sea Cave
Dive Conditions: Visibility good, current low, depth deep
Marine Life Observed: ALL THE SHELLFISH
Staff: Capt Kendall, Crew Parker, Kellan Inst.
https://i0.wp.com/www.oahuscubadiving.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/G0150343.jpg?fit=2048%2C1536&ssl=115362048Kellan Bernhardthttps://www.oahuscubadiving.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/logo111.pngKellan Bernhardt2014-03-12 06:26:072014-03-23 19:41:04What Goes Bump in the Night? It’s Surf-n-Turf
We departed on time at 8:30 on a bright sunny day. Where we took a half hour to get to our first dive site The Baby Barge. We were lucked out and had minimal current and light trade winds and good visibility. We got down to the wreck and saw at lease three turtles, with the current being so slight we got to go off shore to the cement pilings where there was a white tip reef shark and several moray eels. We did a thirty minute dive once we got back on the boat we did a thirty minute surface interval and got to do some whale watching. Our second site was Spitting Caves where we did a 40 minute dive, and had a baby turtle and a baby frog fish with some more moray eels. Eels on eels on eels they were everywhere. After our dive we got back to the dock at 11:30 on schedule like always when you dive with Max!
White tip reef shark at cement pilings off shore of Baby Barge
Not so happy to see my happy bubbles
Spitting cave adorable baby frog fish
Advanced divers descending for a drift dive
Baby barge sea life
Weather Conditions: Light trade winds, light west current and 80+ visibility
Dive Sites: Baby Barge, Spitting Caves
Dive Conditions: Baby barge 80+ vis., max dept 80 ft, time 30 minutes, water temp 76 f, West current; Spitting caves 60+ vis., max depth 56 ft, 76 f, light west current
Marine life observed: White tip reef sharks, frog fish, Moray eels, Crown of thorns, and Turtles
Staff: Captain Joe Crew Dave Instructor Maxine
Weather Conditions: Winds East 10-15, Seas choppy 2-4
Dive Sites: Corsair, LCU, and Fantasy Reef
Marine Life Observed: Green Sea turtles, moray eels, large frog fish, and sponge crabs
Staff: Capt. Joe, Amy, Everrett, and Lauren (on deck)
Aloha,
Thanks for choosing to dive with IDH today. Lauren and I were very lucky ladies and had a boat full of great divers. Captain Joe lead the Fox today. We headed out for an early morning dive on the Navy F4 Corsair. We had minimal current and great viz. Saw some soldier fish, a giant moray eel, garden eels, and a sponge crab. After some Red Vines, chocolate chip cookies, and hot chocolate, we headed back into the water for our second dive at the LCU. We saw two really nice frog fish, turtles, reef fish, and some small moray eels. We cruised around the bay during our lunch break before heading to Fantasy Reef. Saw some whales in the distance over lunch too! On our final site, Fantasy, we swam through some nice swim-throughs, saw 6 turtles, and lots of eels. Overall, it was a great day to be on the water. Thanks again for joining us. Until next time, dive easy!
Aloha,
Amy
Grumpy Frog fish
Trio of Men
Corsair
Turtle Lovin’
https://i0.wp.com/www.oahuscubadiving.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_4712.jpg?fit=2048%2C1536&ssl=115362048Amy Bosslerhttps://www.oahuscubadiving.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/logo111.pngAmy Bossler2014-03-10 00:24:372014-03-10 00:24:37Sunday Funday with Island Divers, 3/9/14
Weather Conditions: Light winds, surface was smooth like a lake
Dive Sites: LCU-Maunalua Bay/Sea cave-KoKo Head
Dive Conditions: Slight current, good viz (60-80ft)
Pulling up to the LCU it was super flat with a slight current. After tying the Sea Fox off and really getting a good look at the crystal conditions we plummeted down the water column to the wreck without a moments hesitation. Well, except for Bob Fleckenstien who still sports an old school film underwater camera and savored every minute of his dives. Thanks Bob for your positive energy from beginning to end of the our day no matter what.
Under the sea I immediately found Frog Fish Delight. SEE VIDEO CLIP- I believe that is a pregnant frog fish, please let me know what you think divers. My divers, Stu, Robert, Sam, Bill, Ronald, Kaytlyn, and Brent, were a chill group of divers as comfortable in the water as an moray eel hunting octopus. Thanks guys.
After exploring the LCU wreck, watching Sam try on boots, finding nudibranchs, and snowflake coral, we came up to grab some snacks and hot chocolate.
Sam, boot shopping
After, we motored on over to Sea Cave, dropped in negative, and found a pleasant current speed to drift with. Along the way we found nudibranch’s, huge one eyed puffer fish, turtle juniors, schools of butterfly fish, cowries and hawk fish in and out of the cave. The temperature on the dive was 74 degrees Fahrenheit so after about 50 minutes all the divers were back on the Fox for hot pours, and tea. Even after arriving back to the dock, cleaning the boat, and getting my divers back to Waikiki, Bob and I were still raving about the gorgeous dives at LCU and Sea Cave.
God Bless & Safe Diving
Davy
Audio clip is by Funkadelic- Nappy Dugout
https://i0.wp.com/www.oahuscubadiving.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/G0410932.jpg?fit=2048%2C1536&ssl=115362048Davy Eleen Vercoehttps://www.oahuscubadiving.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/logo111.pngDavy Eleen Vercoe2014-03-08 04:47:272014-03-08 05:05:34Morning Frog Fish Delight – March 6, 2014
It was a sunny Saturday afternoon and the sea was as calm as it ever gets. All the divers on the boat were looking forward to getting into these nearly-perfect conditions. We had Jake, Scott, Steve, Mendy, Lucas, Brock, Sydney, Jessica, Brook, Peter, Bob, Joanie, amd Blake all on the boat. Some people were doing the first couple days of their certifications, some people were finishing up our brand new 2 DAY OPEN WATER COURSE, and some people were just doing what we do best, which is diving for fun. I personally was getting to work with Jake and Scott, the former of who was getting certified, and we had a great time. The video is us playing rock-paper-scissors on our 3 minute safety stop, which is a game I highly recommend any time you have time to kill under the water. If you have a slate, tic-tac-toe works well. Jake crushed me, btw. RPS world champ? Maybe.
)
Jake helps scott out with a loose tank, one of the new requirements of the PADI Open Water Course
Spotted Moray Eel (Gymnothorax isingteena)
Pete and T.J.’s Two Day Open Water students hover.
Photo Op. with the Koko Stone Warrior
Weather Conditions: Sunny, air temp 75F
Dive Sites: Koko Crater, Pa’ava
Dive Conditions: 35-40 FSW, water temp 72F, small Koko head current, small wind waves, no swell.
Marine Life Observed: Green Sea Turtles, Spotted Pacific Eel, Homo Sapiens Aquatica
Staff: Captain Joe, Kelsey, Pete, T.J., Matt N., Kellan, Everett
https://i0.wp.com/www.oahuscubadiving.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/logo12.png?fit=120%2C26&ssl=126120Kellan Bernhardthttps://www.oahuscubadiving.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/logo111.pngKellan Bernhardt2014-03-08 00:00:032014-03-13 01:53:00Sunny Afternoon at Koko Craters
Weather Conditions: Mild SE swell with mild SE Kona wind
Dive Sites: Skimmin’s Reef & Sea Cave
Dive Conditions: 120’+ Visibility, Mild N current
Marine Life Observed: Green Sea Turtles, Blue Dragon Nudibrach, White-mouth Morray Eels, White-Tip Reef Sharks, Giant Hairy-legged Hermit Crabs, Hawaiian Octopus
We were graced with pristine conditions this morning and decided to head out around Port Lock Point (China Wall) to Skimmin’s Reef just off of Sandy Beach in southeast Oahu. Total of total of 14 divers spent 50 excellent minutes exploring the ledge, swim-through’s, and top reef of the Skimmin’s Reef system. After nearly being ran over by a green sea turtle hiding in a swim-through we found a Hawaiian Octopus, some more sea turtles and countless varieties of reef fishes hanging out around the ledge.
After surfacing we had a quick surface interval with some refreshments and snacks with Capt. Joe on the Sea Fox before heading back down again into one of our favorite dive sites, Sea Cave. Inside the cavern we discovered some White Tip Reef Sharks tucked away just inside the entrance near the western wall. After Spending about 25 minutes exploring the cavern of the ancient lava tube the group headed out the same way we came in and drifted east along the wall where we encountered a few green sea turtles, a school of Butterfly fish chowing down on some Hawaiian Sargent Major eggs and an abundance of hard corals thriving on the sea wall.
https://i0.wp.com/www.oahuscubadiving.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/GOPR0195.jpg?fit=2048%2C1536&ssl=115362048Lauren Smithhttps://www.oahuscubadiving.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/logo111.pngLauren Smith2014-03-07 23:52:002014-03-08 05:37:53One Awesome Morning with World-Class Conditions at Skimmin’s Reef & Sea Cave – 3.7.2014
