Flatworms Everywhere
Feb
22
2010

Dive No.: 1993 Dive Site: Hawaii Loa, Oahu, Hawaii Max Depth: 40ft/12m Total Time: 26 mins Air: 200bar – 140 bar Mix: EANx36 Tank: 80cu Weight: 8lbs Visibility: 80ft/24m Water: 75F/24C Exposure: Rash Guard, 5mm full wet suit, 3mm skull cap Comments: Flatworms everywhere! In my brief time swimming the perimeter of the crater at Hawaii Loa, I spotted half a dozen beautifully colored divided flatworms. Fish life, particularly schools sergeant majors, was noticeably abundant. Several spotted eels poked their heads out from from the coral mounds surrounding the site. Unfortunately, my Open Water students were a bit too nervous to stretch out the dive, so I had to leave this flatworm-infested site prematurely. Dive No.: 1994 Dive Site: Koko » read more «

Bad Open Waters
Feb
16
2010

Dive No.: 1989 Dive Site: Koko Craters, Oahu, Hawaii Max Depth: 38ft/11m Total Time: 36 mins Air: 200bar – 140 bar Mix: EANx36 Tank: 80cu Weight: 8lbs Visibility: 80ft/24m Water: 75F/24C Exposure: Rash Guard, 5mm full wet suit, 3mm skull cap Comments: What better way to start off an Open Water course than with a super-chill turtle cruising with the group for the first ten minutes? This particular turtle looked so relaxed cruising in the mild current and let my divers approach him within mere feet. I was even able to swim underneath him inverted and gently blow bubbles against him belly without him minding in the least. There were also a handful of snake eels, lizardfish, and pufferfish to » read more «

Long Day
Feb
16
2010

Dive No.: 1985 Dive Site: Corsair, Oahu, Hawaii Max Depth: 108ft/32m Total Time: 26 mins Air: 200bar – 120 bar Mix: air Tank: 63cu Weight: 8lbs Visibility: 130ft/40m Water: 73F/23C Exposure: Rash Guard, 5mm full wet suit, 3mm skull cap Comments: The visibility was jaw-dropping on this dive. We could see the entire wreck of the Corsair from the surface. The current was fairly strong; using the line was critical during the 100ft/30m ascent and descent. This WWII wreck was packed full of squirrelfish and soldierfish and surrounded by a vast field of garden eels. A handful of morays peeked out from inside the fuselage. I wish my group hadn’t gone through their air so fast, because I would have » read more «

First Guided Dives in Hawaii
Feb
12
2010

Dive No.: 1983 Dive Site: Two Minutes Out, Oahu, Hawaii Max Depth: 52ft/16m Total Time: 42 mins Air: 200bar – 130 bar Mix: air Tank: 80cu Weight: 8lbs Visibility: 60ft/18m Water: 75F/24C Exposure: Rash Guard, 5mm full wet suit, 3mm skull cap Comments: My first dive guiding certified divers on Hawaii! This was a gentle cruise around an urchin-covered ledge where many eels poked their heads out from tiny crevices. Two turtles swam in slow circles around the descent line at the start of the dive. I also spotted a tiny leaf scorpionfish, a enormous queen conch, and the pivoting eyes of a mantis shrimp hidden in its hole. Dive No.: 1984 Dive Site: Turtles, Oahu, Hawaii Max Depth: 42ft/12m » read more «