Not a usual destination for us, Tire reef lies between Big Barge and the LCU, so we occasionally pass over it while drifting the barges (depending on current direction).  the barge drifts are always an adventure and leave everyone smiling, as we cruise along the connecting ledges and over the concrete block piles, spotting sharks, turtles, octopus, and listening to the whales nearby.  what’s not to smile about!!  be sure to check out the photo of the gigantic tire – not sure what it’s from!  our first dive was at LCU, and we saw white-tip sharks and spotted eagle rays, as well as large schools of shoaling fish.  current was ripping!  our 3rd and final dive was another great dive on Fantasy reef – such a great dive spot – so much live and such interesting topography!  we all loved this dive – current was mild as we zigzagged back and forth, spotting huge turtles, lots of various eels, banded coral shrimp, and lots of fish amidst the swim-thrus and coral heads.  great dives, and lots of big smiles heading in.  thanks to all for safe diving – larry, joe

lcu   90 ft   100 viz   35 min.

barge drift  70 ft  120 viz  40 min.

fantasy reef  50 ft   120 viz  44 min.

check out the size of this tire!  the small ones in a row above it are regular auto tires!

. . .and then you will understand everything better – Albert Einstein.  well, i think that is true, and diving is certainly a unique look!  Diving the volcanic walls off of Koko Head crater, with their canyons, caves, and lava tubes, always gives me a profound sense of power, mystery, and timelessness. Add in thousands of varieties of fish, mammals, mollusks, nudibranchs, reptiles, and, of course, octopus, then one is subject to a feeling of awe at this creation, and how it fits together.  I enjoy diving so much more than Honolulu traffic! First dive was the ever-popular Corsair airplane wreck, still in great shape, with plenty to see around it – fish, eels, crabs, morays – and being a deeper site, the potential for whales, sharks, and amazing translucent critters riding the currents.  great conditions – mild current and good viz, and we had a great dive.  2nd jump was a drift of Baboon Nose, and what a treat.  such a spectacular dive experience!  just amazing topography – walls, ledges, channels, and caves, all holding and supporting a myriad of sea life.  thanks to all for safe diving!  larry, joe

corsair   107 ft    100 viz   30 min

baboon nose  50 ft  140 viz  44 minutes

The wonderful conditions continue diving off Oahu today. We still have nice, calm winds and the surface conditions are great. We did have some strong currents as we had a big tide swing today so we headed out for a couple drift dives off the wall by Hanauma Bay.  We dove off the wall by Sea Cave for the first dive but with some weird currents missed the cave itself.  It was still a great dive as we had wonderful viz and fish everywhere.  There were schools of pennant butterflyfish and wrasses swimming about us and found a few turtles in a couple smaller caves that swam out as we came upon them.  Soon it was time to head up and continue to the next dive.

For the second site we dove Palea Point and it was awesome.  The viz and current we perfect and we cruised the reef.  Again there was life all around the site with large schools of butterflyfish and damsels swimming around the rocks. We also found a large octopus and a massive cornet fish resting near the bottom. There were a couple more turtles on the reef. It was a wonderful day diving the southeast side of Oahu.