Larry Hogan

SHARK IN THE DARK !!! 11 November AM

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well, actually lots of sharks in the dark!  great dive at LCU today with spectacular conditions.  no wind, no current, and crystal clear water gave us an incredible day of diving!  one of the best i’ve ever seen!! besides ideal conditions we also had great sea life encounters, starting with 5 sharks under the LCU, two groups of eagle rays, totaling about 9!  three octopus, plus big eels.  man, what a dive!  we were all just blown away today!  2nd jump was over at Fantasy, where we decided to moor the boat up, as the conditions were still excellent.  Another spectacular dive, as we swam with giant green sea turtles, saw two more octopus, schools of reef fish, shoaling amidst the beautiful coral and lava formations at Fantasy.  what a day!  thanks to all for safe diving,  larry, max, joe, ashley (see photo of her working hard)

LCU  90 feet  180 viz  40 minutes

Fantasy reef  52 feet  200 viz 45 minutes

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David Sanchez

What day is it? HUMPDAY! Oct 12

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What a great Wednesday afternoon dive on the Fox! Great weather, sun was shining, and a calm bay welcomed our divers: Lloyd and Karen doing their DSD, Drew completing his Open Water Certification, James and Morgan who were Certified, and Manolo who was conducting a Rescue Diver Class  along with Shaun.  We moored up at Koko Crater for our first dive and were met with 70ft visibility and a slight current. Turtles, eels and reef fish cruised the area and hid in the coral of the crater…

Hawaiian Honu at Koko Crater

Next on to Anglers reef.. again great visibility and no current. Using the lines our divers dropped into the shelf and began a leisurely dive where many reef fish, eels, and octopus were observed in and around the site… a great day of diving for all!

Moray Eel

Thank you to all our divers for a safe and relaxing day of diving!

Koko Crater 36ft

Anglers Reef 43ft

Water temp 77*

Dave Sanchez- Lead

Bradley – Support

Joe- Captain

Dan- Crew

Marnie Cadden

Drifting East (Nov12)

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We have been so lucky the past couple of days to be able to make our way around the east side of the island to check out some new dive sites. With calm seas, the few divers we had aboard the Sea Fox decided to make our way to the east, to check out some less traveled dive sites.DCIM100GOPRO

The first place we hopped into was right off the mouth of Haunama Bay, also known as Paliea Point. We drifted east and made our way down the wall on the Southeastern tip of the island.

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We came across all different kinds of reef, from a 60+ft wall, to coral covered sea floor. Divers had a great time seeing all the marine life that inhabited the bottom and came across some rare creatures!

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We came across this super rare dragon moray that is highly priced among the illegal fish trade here in Hawaii. Its good to see them around on the reefs!

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At the second site, we hopped in at Skimmin’s Reef and had a nice time exploring the reef and the wall that create this diverse dive site. We even came across a rater exposed octopus that swam along side of us for quite some time.

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CREW: Marnie (instructor) Joe (captain) Danny (crew)

CONDTIONS: 100+ft visibility, 82*F air, 81*F water, eastern current

DIVE PROFILES: Pailea Point: max depth 66ft, dive time 38min

Skimmin’s Reef: max depth 80ft, dive time 36min

MARINE LIFE: dragon moray, eagle ray, brittle sea star, wrasse, Moorish idol

 

David Sanchez

Monday Funday! Nov 10

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WHAT A GREAT DAY FOR DIVING! Perfect conditions, Awesome divers (Paul,Whitney, Brandon, Howard, Kristi, Alicia, Stuart, Pat, Carl, Jeff, Eric, Zack, Cody, Marnie, Myself, Kendal and Chris) and a great first dive site… Corsair! We were met with a slight current, 80ft visibility,  and a few interesting creatures…

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Garden Eels, Various Reef Fish, an Octopus, and as we made our way up the descent line… a Spotted Eagle Ray! This dive did not disappoint!

After a short surface interval it was on to Sea Cave… As soon as we entered the water we were met by a Turtle making its way towards the cave, as 3 White Tip Sharks were lazily cruising the entrance and the back wall of the cave…

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next it was onto the wall where Eels, Reef fish of all shapes and sizes, and turtles went about their business… all in all an AWESOME DAY! Thank you to all the divers who exhibited great skill and care for the reef today!

Corsair 109 ft

Sea Cave 50 ft

Dave Sanchez- Lead

Marnie Cadden -Support

Kendal Vercoe -Captain

Chris- Crew

Marnie Cadden

An Afternoon in Waikiki (Nov9)

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The morning started off a bit chilly for the three tanker, but divers were excited and ready to hop in the water for some great diving. We decided to head straight over to Waikiki and do both of our deep dives in that bay.

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Or deepest dive, the Sea Tiger, we dropped down onto a rather large green sea turtle that was relaxing on the deck of the boat.

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We explored all different parts of the boat and enjoyed the numberous swim throughs that we came across.

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After our dive, we made our way back to the boat and enjoyed a nice drive in the Waikiki Bay for our surface interval. We then hopped back in the water and dropped down onto the YO-257 and San Pedro.

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Over at the YO-257, divers got to explore this yard oiler at its best. We had almost no current which allowed us to swim between the two wrecks.

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Have to watch out for that submarine!

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Over at the San Pedro, we got to see the schools of fish that inhabit this wreck, which is broken in the middle section of the boat.

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Our last dive was Spitting Caves, which had fantastic conditions as well. We drifted west along the wall with the reef on our right side. We explored all of the caves along the way and came across some rather large white tipped reef sharks.

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CREW: Marnie (instructor) Carlos (divemaster) Joe (captain) Lauren (crew)

CONDTIONS:85*F air, 81*F water, SE current in Waikiki, W current in Maunalua Bay

DIVE PROFILE: Sea Tiger: max depth 115ft,  dive time 36min, 100ft+ visibility

YO257/San Pedro: max depth 103ft, dive time 32min, 100+ft visibility

Spitting Caves: max depth 54ft, 30min dive time, 100ft+ visbility

MARINE LIFE: white tipped reef shark, viper eel, green sea turtle, moray eel, crown of thorns, baracudda

Marnie Cadden

Photobombs and Sea Cave (Nov8)

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The weather is getting chillier here in Oahu and the diving just gets better. The conditions were pristine for our first dive at Koko Crater, and with just two divers, we had a lot of room to play.

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We spent a long time on this shallow reef and explored with some extra-curious sea turtles at Secret Ledge.

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I love this little guys photobomb in the crater!

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We came across this slipper lobster as well, he was buried in the cracks along the reefs edge.

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After our first dive, we chose a more challenging site for our second. This diver (who dove with us on the morning boat as well) was ready to see one of my favorite sites on this island.

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When we hopped in at Sea Cave we were greeted by another friendly turtle who was making his way out of the cave.

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We also spotted this moray sitting on the sand at the entrance to the cave.

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Once we got in the cave we found four small white tipped reef sharks enjoying the calm conditions in the cave.

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Once we left the cave, we made our way to the west,  with the wall on our right side. We came across tons of fish and turtles enjoying the clear waters.

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We spotted an octopus that was hanging out in a rock pile that stayed just long enough for me to snap this photo.

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Another great find along the bottom was this overturned trident shell.

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Just before we made our way to the open water, we were sent off by yet another friendly turtle, a great way to end some awesome dives this afternoon.

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CREW: Marnie (instructor) Joe (captain) Kelsey (crew)

CONDTIONS: 86*F air temp, scattered showers, 81*F water temp, diamondhead current (w)

DIVE PROFILES: Koko Crater: max depth 40ft, dive time 52min, visibility 80ft

Sea Cave: max depth 70ft, dive time 45min, visibility 100ft+

MARINE LIFE: sea turtles, reef sharks, eels, trident shell, cowfish, octopus, slipper lobster

 

 

 

Manolo Cabasal

Double Rainbow All the Way…11+8+2014

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This morning on the Sea Fox we had a handful of divers setting up their gear in a persistent drizzle. Energetic and chipper, they were unfazed by the inclement weather. They were rewarded for their joyous attitude, because as soon as the Sea Fox left the harbor the sky cleared up and revealed a magnificent double rainbow. It was so intense.  A double rainbow all the way across the sky to the first dive site of the day, No-name barge.

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*No-name Barge*
84ft – 33min

With spirits lifted high by the sight of the double rainbow, the divers entered the water and free-descended down to the bottom. Surface conditions were calm with variable winds and the visibility was an impeccable 100ft. With a mild current the divers explored the newly rediscovered dive site, courtesy of Capt. Joe, and spotted a large collection of newly formed coral heads and numerous kinds of juvenile fish. Juvenile yellow tangs, butterflyfish, and surgeonfish hugged the z-blocks and a crab was spotted in the barge.

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*Fantasy Reef*
56ft – 40min

Double rainbows don’t last forever, but the call of the ocean does. With the current beginning to pick up steam, the divers set up to drift Fantasy Reef after they enjoyed some hot chocolate and cookies courtesy of the crew. Jumping in on the far west side of fantasy, the divers descended through a school of fusiliers. Zig zagging across the reef, the divers came across a host of local aquatic celebrities: a couple of giant green moray eels, a snowflake moray, an octopus, nudibranch, scorpion fish, crown of thorns starfish and a couple of hawaiian green sea turtles.

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Angelica and Gerald, it was a pleasure diving with you. We look forward to diving with you again in the future.

A special thanks to the crew for making everything possible: Captain Joe and the Lovely Kelsea.

 

Turtles puffers and eels oh my!

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Started a beautiful breezy Friday afternoon prepared  for a day of teaching and diving. Our up and coming open water students Carrie and Jason were practicing compass skills while the rest of our certified divers were suiting up. Our afternoon dive sites were planned for Angeler’s Reef and Koko Craters. Our first dive of the day had amazing visibility with a slight current. After working on a few skills our student and certified divers began our search for the creatures hiding between the rocks. Several eels poking their heads around and a few swimming freely between the cracks of the ledge. Puffer fish were all around this afternoon, swimming in schools of 5 and 6! Our second dive of the afternoon was met at the bottom of the mooring line by a HUGE green sea turtle. Our shelled friend effortlessly hovered in place while we kicked our way down into the Crater. After finishing up our last bit of skills the dive group hung out with a few sargent majors, trumpet fish and the happy Buddha statues standing guard. Our day ended in smiles and cheers for our new certified divers all the way back into harbor! _ DCIM100GOPRO CREW: Bradley (instructor) Jessica (instructor) Neil (captain) CONDITIONS: light rain/clouds, 84*F, 81*F water, visibility 80+ft DIVE PROFILES: Anglers Reef: 46ft max depth, 35min dive time Koko Crater: 40ft max depth, 36min dive time MARINE LIFE: spotted moray eel, green sea turtle, scorpionfish, puffer fish

Manolo Cabasal

The Classroom in the Ocean 11~6~2014

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This afternoon on the Sea Fox we had a boat load students, a rare treat for this instructor. Not having to worry about other divers, the students could concentrate on sharpening their dive skills. With light winds and a 2ft swell, the conditions were impeccable. The afternoon’s destinations were Koko Craters and Hawaii Loa Reef.

*Koko Craters*
36ft – 38min

With 100ft visibility and a mild current, Koko Crater was near pool-like. After completing open water dive 1 and adventure navigation training, the students saw numerous turtles, pennant monarchs, pin cushion starfish, and sergeant majors.

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*Hawaii Loa Reef*
39ft – 37min

The conditions at Hawaii Loa weren’t as pristine as the previous site due to a flood tide that brought in a moderate current and 50ft visibility. The students fearlessly entered the water and continued their undersea education. After spending the first 15 minutes performing mask, rescue, and buoyancy skills, the students went on to explore the site. With numerous cracks and crevices to peak into, the young padawan divers spied a couple pufferfish, nudibranchs, damselfish, and crabs.

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Congratulations to Damien for completing his Navigation and Peak Performance Buoyancy Adventure dives and to Carolyn and Jason for completing their first two open water dives in the ocean. Best of skill to all of you guys as you progress through your PADI education.

Shout out to the crew: Capt. Kendal and Scuba Steve!

David Sanchez

White Tip Wednesday! Nov 5

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AM showers didn’t dampen the spirits of our adventure seeking crew. Along with Larry and I today were Lucia, Maria, Jorge, Claudia, Maria, Jose, Luisa, Edgar, and Mark. We decided to start our day at Baby Barge where we were met with a bit of a surface chop and a small current. Using the descent lines we dropped down on the wreck and began our tour. Visibility was fair (60Ft) and many reef fish were scattered around the site. As we entered the cave under the Barge a few turtles swam out and surprised our guests. A very calm and relaxing dive…

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Next on our list… Fantasy Reef which lived up to its name today… good visibility (80 Ft) and a fair current were in the works, and the site was alive with abundant sea life… Turtles, Moorish Idols, Hawaiian Sergeants, Goatfish, Triggerfish, Octopus, and then…

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a Spotted Eagle was seen eating on the bottom. About a minute later…

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a White Tip came cruising under a coral shelf…

A great dive was had by all… thank you to all our divers for a safe and fun day!

Dave

Larry

Capt Joe

Crew Max

Baby Barge 80 FT

Fantasy Reef 55 Ft