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"Dives & Critters", Volcanic Geology, Shipwrecks, & Marine Life

 

Hawaii's Habitats & Our Access

We take our stewardship of the ocean environment seriously and ask that you leave the rocks, coral and living critters in the ocean for future generations to enjoy.

As Oahu's ONLY dive company operating boats on both sides of the island, we have the widest variety of walls, caverns, arches & lava tubes, AND we have the unique opportunity to CHOOSE the best conditions daily, given the local surf & wind reports.

Learn more about our guided, two tank dive charters and "Extreme Comfort" boats in additional e-mails entitled Your Day With Us & Services Menu. 

We also enjoy wreck diving because that's where the richest variety of marine critters live. The vertical aspect of these artificial reefs provides a habitat that supports the entire food chain. The smallest wreck or structure becomes an oasis of life, even in areas of mostly barren sand or "limestone pavement" bottom. We often see a squadron of spotted eagle rays flying gracefully in formation around the shipwrecks.

Much of Hawaii's reefs are volcanic lava formations with cauliflower and antler coral on top, rather than solid coral composition. This is because the islands are very young geologically. We don't have the soft corals, sea fans or large sponges which most people associate with picturesque seascapes because our water temperature varies each year between 70 and 80 degrees. The good news is that our 650 species of inshore reef fishes includes over 200 found no where else in the world. You'll recognize the basic fish groups, such as tangs, wrasses, butterflies, etc. but see color patterns unique to Hawaii. This is due to development in isolation nearly 2,000 miles from the nearest continent or island reef habitats. We have over 38 varieties of moray eels, nine species of frogfish (anglerfish) and a dozen or so types of scorpion fish. There is an abundance of marine flat worms, nudibranchs, shrimps and crabs.  We take the time to brief you on Hawaii's unique volcanic geology, fishes and the history of the wrecks. During our drift dives on walls, we usually visit two or three cavern or arch features in a single dive. The ceiling of these habitats support lace coral, orange cup coral, black coral whips and sponges. Perhaps what stands out the most to Hawaii's first time visitors, is an abundance of Pacific Green Sea Turtles. 
 
WEST OAHU

MAHI SHIPWRECK Our daily west side Jet Boat, the PRO 42, visits the minelayer shipwreck "MAHI", a 186 ft. U.S. Navy vessel built in Winslow Washington in 1939 for WW II service. Of the dozen or so wrecks around Oahu, this is Hawaii's most famous dive. It's located on the calm, dry side of the island known as the leewaed coast, and well worth the 45 minute drive on the freeway. The MAHI was voted by Rodale's Scuba Diving Magazine's reader survey as the fourth best wreck dive in the United States which is remarkable considering its remoteness. Three decks and a pilot house between 58 and 78 foot depths include a safe penetration area. In 1982 hurricane Ewa moved the ship 90 degrees from its original direction on the 92 ft. ocean floor. The boat ride from the harbor is only 12 minutes and close to shore because of Hawaii's steep volcanic geology.

MAKAHA LAVA TUBES Hawaii's diving is all about volcanic geology and this calm "leeward coast" offers the best examples of this type of structure. Our favorite shallow dive and turtle habitat is Makaha Caverns Lava Tubes which lies at depths of 10 to 40 feet and is ideal for non diving friends who wish to snorkel. We prefer these reefs because the caves, caverns, archways and lava tubes support more marine life than flatter "pavement" reefs of the south & east shores near town. Occasionally the surge is heavy here, so on those days we choose slightly deeper, more "comfortable" lava reefs. Most days we see a white tip reef shark resting under the ledges (we ask that you don't pull their tails though). We often see dolphins frolicking and greeting the boat as we cruise the coast between dives and Pacific Humpback Whales are plentiful from December through April on both sides of the island.
 
SOUTH OAHU

From mid-November through February we usually move our Jet Boat to the south shore near Waikiki for the winter because the ocean conditions are more comfortable (1-2 ft surf as opposed to average 4-6 ft on the West coast during winter). There are three shipwrecks at similar depths as the MAHI: YO-257, SEA TIGER, SAN PEDRO. The shallow coral & sand reefs after the daily wreck dive are not as interesting as the west side "Lava Tube" reefs but they support turtles & fish and it's better than coping with surge caused by north & west winter surf.

EAST OAHU

        Our other boat near Waikiki in Hawaii Kai, does a greater variety of "serious dives for experienced folks" or advanced class dives, including night diving, drift dives and specialty classes. We host a maximum of six passengers. It's the only other boat on the island with a hot shower so we really enjoy those sunset/night charters.

CORSAIR FIGHTER        Our premier dive on the east side is the U.S.Navy Gull Wing Corsair Fighter (F4U-1A). Lieutenant Holden made a "dead stick landing" in 1945 on a training mission and was rescued, leaving behind an "intact" relic with the canopy open, tail hook down, propeller bent, and instruments & gull-wing clearly visible at a depth of 105 feet. This rare piece of history hasn't been salvaged due to its depth and remoteness, protecting it from hurricanes and humans until about 8 years ago when I helped established the first mooring. The "oasis" of marine life supports an ecosystem of incredible variety, 55 years in the gathering, including fields of garden eels. We often see horned helmet shells nearby (conch), as well as well as a rare crocodile eel. Large pelagic fish such as barracuda, jacks, or stingray frequent this site for feeding, herding large balls of bait & reef fish. With a white sand bottom, visibility is usually 100 to 150 feet even on winter days and it's only a 20 minute boat ride from our east side harbor. Once outside the shelter of Maunalua Bay, we call the next ten minutes "rougher than snot" during periods of strong east tradewinds, so we get completely ready to roll off the boat upon arrival.

DRIFT DIVING WALLS    After a proper surface interval back in the sheltered bay, we get our gear ready again before going around the point to drift dive the Sea Caves or other parts of Koko Head Wall (a volcano composed of ocean floor sediment and volcanic ash with it's well known crater; Hanauma Bay). Vertical cliffs several hundred feet high plunge to 30 - 90 foot depths, then slope out in a giant boulder bottom. This area faces the Molokai channel so during windy conditions it's pretty bumpy on the surface, but very rewarding for rich marine life. During "fresh Trades", we dive the more sheltered Portlock Point Wall. We train you how and guide you on the drift dive. We drift effortlessly along the wall with the mild current and the boat follows to pick us up when we surface together. Three other shipwrecks are on this southeast shore but a long way downwind so visits are infrequent. Most people are fine diving these offshore east sites after we tune up your skills on the calmer west coast.
 
SUNSET & NIGHT CHARTERS
        Sunset & night dives are very popular with two or three charters going each week on either side of the island, focusing on the wide variety of invertebrates, crustaceans, and eels. Times vary seasonally due to sunset time. See Services Menu.
        

INTRODUCTORY DIVES / REFRESHER DIVES / TRAINING DIVESOur east side six passenger boat near town is also used for shallow introductory dives, training dives & refresher dives, in the clean, sheltered waters of Mounalua Bay. Schedules vary, with morning and afternoon times, but these dives offer the best "Bunny Slope" conditions for "First Time Divers", with the class conducted at the beach before an hour & a half boating activity. Family & friends of certified divers may join the west side charter for snorkeling or introductory dives but the conditions are not as ideal for "baby-step" training during the 3 1/2 hour cruise, although there's a better chance of seeing dolphins. 

        "Very Rusty" or "Fresh Out Of Class" certified divers looking for skill & comfort building dives are encouraged (time allowing) to visit the quicker east side activity a day before joining the Shipwreck/Lava Tube charter on the west side. Training & refresher dives are occasionally conducted at a local beach park to meet such scheduling needs. See Your day With Us & Services Menu for details. 

THREE DAY PACKAGES / PRIVATE ITINERARIES FOR GROUPS (15-20% OFF)

We recommend that multi-day divers choose the west side first (easy multilevel shipwreck & lava reef dives, unless you're in serious need of a refresher). Then choose the more challenging east side (rougher, deeper, Drift). Receive the 3-day discount even if you've done the first day at full price, by paying the balance on the second day. We visit nearly a dozen different sites in a given week on our own boats and have over 69 dive sites in our repertoire on the west side alone. 

We can arrange special itineraries and private charters for groups of 5-20 people for SCUBA, Snorkeling or Dolphin/Whale tours, or any combination.

MORE DIVE SITES 

Every Saturday afternoon the west (or south) boat goes to alternate dive sites (selected from 69 sites and often announced the previous Wednesday). We often have Sunday afternoon "Club" charters as well.

We have about 3 sunset / night charters each week: On the east side during the weekdays AND on the west (or south) side during weekends.

About once a month we do a Kaena Point Triple to the end of the island.

JUST PICK A DATE OR DIVE SITES AND THAT IS WHERE WE'LL PROMOTE, offering that charter to others during the week of the charter. If you have three
or more people, the charter will surely go, but it takes someone to place
a reservation to get the ball rolling.

We provide free transportation for visitors, but some guests prefer to drive to the harbors. we can e-mail "Directions to both Harbors from any neighborhood" and have a map to fax or mail.

Thanks for asking.
Capt. Bruce

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