Kona Trip: First of the dives

[silentcivilian]

http://www.facebook.com/v/10150201236458034 -- Manta Ray Dive

[Delphinus]

That is so wicked. I wanted to do the nighttime Manta dive but got sooo sick when I was there (you can take the Calgarian out of the cold, but you can't take the cold out of the Calgarian). I was in peril of not being able to dive at all but the last weekend my sinuses had cleared out just enough to sneak in ONE dive with the guys before getting into that whole "no diving 24 hours before going on a plane" thing. Did see one Manta from the boat though, thing must have been 16 feet across just under the waves. Wowza.

Thanks for sharing these man, I'm jealous (I shouldn't be, but I am, haha).

[Delphinus]

Incidentally, the email notification for this thread showed a whole pile of picture links which don't seem to show up in the thread itself. Not sure what's up with that.

[silentcivilian]

They should all be there now... I hope.. should be 16 pics laid out 2x8

[silentcivilian]

I did some snorkeling today and got some fantastic pictures.. and we are snorkeling Captin cooks memorial soon, and that is rated the islands best snorkel place.. so I should have some amazing shots from that.. Just as a reference of depth.. that Long Fin Anthia (85ft), Stocky Hawkfish (1st shot: 65ft, 2nd shot: 90ft), Yellow Margin Moray Eel (95ft), view of the slope in garden eel cove (110ft)

[Delphinus]

Kealakekua Bay (where Captain Cook Memorial is) is a fantastic snorkeling spot, you'll like that. You'll probably be greeted by dolphins when you get there. The entrance to that bay is where some houses had to be sunk by the coast guard back in March since they had been swept off their foundations (thankfully only the houses were casualties in that), I guess it drops off very quickly and they are now sitting in 300' depth.

When I was there it was raining tonnes (not the in the bay itself but nearby) and the rocks on shore were literally weeping with freshwater and consequently there was a lot of intermix occlusion near the surface (had this in most snorkel spots when I was there), just had to dive down under it but when you're snorkeling you run out of air quicker .. Love snorkeling still but it's one more reason I want to do more diving from now on - get under that surface mixing layer and stay under long enough to see stuff! I don't have my ticket yet. Actually this trip was supposed to be where I could do my open water but that winter cold that pretty much dropped me to the ground unfortunately meant that had to be canceled. Oh well, a reason to go back some other year I guess.

Looking forward to more pics.

[silentcivilian]

[fishytime]

those are some amazing pics mang....love the one of the arc eye hawk....and the orange shoulders are incredible.....

[silentcivilian]

The best one that I couldnt get a picture of was a black long nose butterfly fish. They are only black in Kona Hawaii. A aquarium even took one and introduced it to their tanks as the rare black.. only to have it turn back to a normal yellow long nose... Thing is.. shooting pictures of a timid black are exceedingly difficult in a tough surging water..

[lorenz0]

I hate that camera!

looks like your enjoying all the local joys