1 Rounding a head of coral at Tunnels beach was this welcome sign lying on the bottom |
2 First day of diving at Tunnels and we saw the largest Spanish Dancer nudibranch I have ever encountered, well over 4 inches across. |
3 Spanish Dancer nudibranch |
4 A huge array of plate coral |
5 A small Leaf Scorpionfish at Tunnels |
6 A small Bryazoan of undetermined type |
7 Squirrelfish hiding out in a small nook |
8 Reef Lizardfish |
9 |
10 Friday morning dives at Tunnels started out finding this Goldrim Flatworm on the sandy bottom |
11 |
12 Turtle cleaning station on top of the Tunnels reef |
13 The turtles hang motionless as the fish pick algae and debris from their bodies |
14 |
15 |
16 The reefs are volcanic in nature and don't have the vibrant soft corals that you see in the Caribbean |
17 Tunnels is so-named because of the tubular surf-break during the winter. However, it is very appropriate for the underwater topo of many swim-throughs, channels, and canyons. |
18 |
19 |
20 Hawaiian Conger Eel being attended by several cleaner shrimp. Unusual for the daytime since congers are typically nocturnal. |
21 Really cool, a Tom Smith's nudibranch |
22 |
23 Stout Moray peeking out |
24 As we were coming up at the end of our dive, I noticed this Lined Sea Hare (kind of a slug) on the shallow bottom |
25 |
26 My third day of diving at Tunnels started with close encounters of the terrapin kind |
27 The turtle cleaning station was even more active than the previous week |
28 Slipper Lobster |
29 Whitemouth Moray at Tunnels |
30 Whitemouth Moray |
31 Juvenile Spotted Boxfish |
32 At the end of our second dive, we clambered back onto the beach to discover this baby Hawaiian monk seal taking a sunny snooze |
33 |
34 |
35 Hawaiian Monk Seal |
36 Showed up Wed afternoon at Fathom Five Divers to find out that my divemaster had just called in sick. Since I had dived Koloa Landing many times in the past, Randee was kind enough to set me up with a tank and weights, and send me on my way solo. Koloa Landing is pretty silty, but has easy entry and lots to see, such as this Goldring Surgeonfish. |
37 Pacific Trumpetfish |
38 Orangeband Surgeonfish are very common |
39 Blackside Hawkfish |
40 Barred Filefish |
41 There were at least a dozen turtles at Koloa Landing, sleeping, resting, and cruising through the gloom |
42 Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle (Honu) |