Kona Aggressor II Captain's Logs

[Aggressor Adventures]

Weather: Sunny Skies
Air temp 80 -85 F
Water Temp 81 F
Recommended Wetsuit 3mm - 5mm

This week we are met again by a very different group of folks; half from the USA and the other from South Korea. It was Brian and Valorie from Chicago, Fred from New Jersey, Amy from Ohio, Walt from Georgia, and from South Korea Sang, Inseok, Andy, Bunnyl, Younsook, Angela, and Dooyoung. We had some very avid divers with the first two days looking like it was going to be all Iron divers, but slowly one would drop, then two, and finally another - until there was only three!!! It must have been those secret late night parties with the guys and gals from South Korea!!! You know beer and wine, dried cuttlefish and soup bowls - yummy!!!

Sunday: Turtle Pinnacle was the location for the first two dives of the week with Giant Morays, Yellow Margin Morays, White Mouth Morays, Ghost Shrimp, and Horned Helmet vs. Collector Urchin, Picasso Triggerfish, and Strawberry Nudibranch are what our divers were talking about on the dive deck. Garden Eel Cove was to be our resting point for Sunday. There was plenty of action though Hawaiian Knifefish, Whitesided Razor Wrasse, and Spinner Dolphins on dive three and four with them spending almost the entire dive on three with our divers!!! Then of course it was to be Mantas, Mantas, and yet more Mantas on the night dive with a pod of curious Bottle Nose Dolphins after the dives were over.

Monday: Meadows was to be the first dive site of the day with Whitley’s Boxfish, Thornback Cowfish, and Cowries they found while swimming through the lava tubes are what our divers remembered most from the dive. Driftwood was the location for dive two and it was to be White Tip Reef Sharks in both caves and Regal Slipper Lobster and a Rainbow Swimmer Crab eating a dead Spanish Dancer in the lava tube that our guest remembered most. Rob's Reef was to be our moorage for Monday night. Yellowtail Corris (all phases), Rock Mover Wrasse, Conger Eel, Red Striped Pipefish (with eggs on its belly), White Striped Cleaner Shrimp performing a manicure for Amy were just a few things mentioned about our dives here.

Tuesday: Dome was the location for dives one and two with White Tip Reef Shark, Frogfish, Peacock Razor Wrasse, Ewa Fanged Blenny, Gold Laced and Blue Dragon Nudibranchs; Stout and Dwarf Moray were some of the highlights of the dives!!!
Lyon's Den was the spot for dive three. Playing with a Day Octopus had most entertained for the dive, with Short Snout Scorpionfish, Red Lionfish, Commerson’s Frogfish, and a Whitley’s Boxfish was what other divers enjoyed the most.
The Hive was the final resting place for the Kona Aggressor on Tuesday. It was 7-Eleven Crab, Sleepy Sponge Crab, Tufted Lobster, Banded Lobster, Sculptured and Regal Slipper Lobster, Conger Eels, Decoy Scorpionfish, Vyper Moray, and a Spanish Dancer dancing for guest was the talk on the dive deck after the dives.

Wednesday: Neverland was the dive site for our first two dives of the day. Wire Coral Gobies along the vertical wall on the crater, Stocky Hawkfish perched on coral heads, schools of Pyramid Butterfly Fish, White Margin Nudibranchs, and guest appearance of two Bandit Angelfish, and one Tinkers Butterflyfish that had our divers excited!! Au Au Crater was the last stop of Wednesday. With a Green Turtle taking a nap on two dives! Orange Mouthed Lizardfish, Sleepy Sponge Crab, Slipper Lobster, Long Handed Lobster, and duel to the death between a Triton's Trumpet and a Crown of Thorns is what our guest were talking about afterwards!!!

Thursday: Hammerhead was the location of the first dive of the day. It was plying with a Day Octopus that had most excited!!! The others were to remember the odd Leaf Scorpionfish, and the Devil Scorpionfish as their favorites of the dive. Amphitheater was the location for dives two and three for the day. Pufferfish, Triton's Trumpet vs. Crown of Thorns, and playing with a Day Octopus was all the talk on the dive deck afterwards!!! Manta Ville was the spot for our last two dives of the day!!! The name for this spot made obvious with Mantas on both dives!!!

Friday: Sharkfin was the location of the last two dives of the week. It was a fly by of a rather large Gray Snapper, White Mouth Morays, Mu’s schooling near the drop off, and one playful Octopus in the shallows that was to be what was remembered most!!

To all our guest this week a big Mahalo for understanding all the difficulties with boarding during the Ironman!!! We wish you all safe travels from the Crew and Captain of the Kona Aggressor!!!

Mahalo
Captain Karl

 

[Aggressor Adventures]

Well the really big storm is tearing up the east coast this week. But that hasn't phased our group this week. Catherine and her crew: the 'Johns", dive shop owner Margaret, jeweler Karl and Chemist Joanne-all from the Boston area, didn't even think about canceling their liveaboard adventure just because of a little rain! Ha! Blanca, the Colombian from New York agreed, she's having her sister brave the storm for her! Also onboard, the effervescent Kelly, a physical therapist from the Olympic Mtns. of Washington, and last minute guest Marci (she booked the night before the trip!)

Day one we were northbound, with Kalokos Arches the site for the first two dives. A Day Octopus along with a Dragon Wrasse, a Viper Moray and several other species set the tone for the trip -"lots of critters". 'Lefty" showed up for the afternoon dives at Garden Eel Cove and several more of his cronies made the night Manta dive truly an experience.

Monday we zoomed south to Amphitheater. Karl got some nice action footage of a Tiger Cowry (ha ha) on his new Go Pro, along with some shots of a Frogfish, and a Red Striped Pipefish. Joanne especially liked her tour of the Dome. Set up at Rob's for the evening, everyone did the big cave.

Tuesday started out with a bang as everyone got "hammered" at Neverland. No less than FIVE Scalloped Hammerheads did a nice close fly by, and then Catherine saw three more separate ones at the pinnacle - unprecedented! Tubestrea Tunnel was crawling with Hairy Hermit Crabs. Manuka Bay provided everyone with good viz and tranquil conditions. While everyone dashed off to see the Bi-Colored Anthias, Kelly lingered behind and got a rare prolonged glimpse of a Flame Angelfish. Night dive produced a Hairy Hermit Crab in a Marlinspike Cone shell, (very unusual) and a Spanish Dancer was coaxed by Blanca into doing a little routine! Joanne spotted an Octopus! And thanks to Margaret for providing the cocktails after the night dive!

Wednesday morning we lingered at Manuka Bay for a dawn dive (hopefully) with the spinners dolphins. They were a no-show so we ventured next door to Catacombs and saw a Leaf Scorpionfish, a Gold Laced Nudibranch, and Kelly was digging the Orange Spiked Unicornfish that were hanging around for a handout. Pulled into Land of Oz on a beautiful sunny calm late morning, the sand channels were lit up by the morning rays-beautiful! Oh and DM John made a rare find here, a Henshaw Snake Eel. On the way north toward our next stop, Kelly happened to catch some Spinner Dolphins carousing at Okoe Bay so we decided to lay in there for awhile. Motored north to the Hive for the late afternoon/evening. DM John got a great shot of a Sleepy Sponge Crab, as well as Bullseye Lobsters, Decoy Scorpionfish, Tiger Snake Moray and of course some Spanish Dancers!

Thursday it was a Paradise Pinnacle kind of morning. A pod of Spinners on the move greeted divers as they jumped off the dive deck. A Yellow Hairy Hermit Crab (big fella) was hanging on the Pinnacle. We added another cool site to our repertoire this week. Stopped at an interesting area along a remote stretch where engineer Cliff was able to find a secure mooring site. So we all jumped in to check it out. Lots of rugged lava formations and black sand channels. Saw a Triton's Trumpet feasting on a Crown of Thorns there so naturally the guests christened this site "Triton's Triumph"! Had a nice relaxing lunchtime cruise north and saw a school of small tuna ravaging a "baitball"-very cool! Driftwood was ON FIRE! We saw THREE White Tipped Reef Sharks, TWO Yellow Margin Morays, a Viper Moray hiding in plain sight, an Octopus, a Horned Helmet eating a Collector Urchin, and the highlight-a Giant Trevally! Everyone was up for another Manta experience, so we pulled into the Sheraton for a visit to Mantaville for the evening. A lone Manta put on a great show that had Blanca shrieking with delight as she got out of the water-so cute!

Friday morning we did something little different! Dropped everyone off right in Kona Bay for the morning dive. The crew has checked this area out before during down weeks and we decided to share our little secret with the guests. They weren't disappointed, lots of pristine finger coral and broad sand channels, with lots of fish about. Finished up the week with a Predator Wreck dive, and yes, everyone got to ham it up for the Atlantis submarine.

"Great sports" everyone was this week, even while we bobbed around all night at sea on Monday in order to avoid a possible Tsunami that was expected from an earthquake off Canada. Turned out to be a false alarm, but hey, you don't mess around with Mother Nature! Besides, it's going to make for some great storytelling when they get home. "Atta boy/girl’s to our Iron Divers this week: John S. John D. charter master Catherine and P.T Kelly!

 

[Aggressor Adventures]

Weather: BEAUTIFUL
Water: Like a cool bath
Wetsuit Recommendation: 3-5 mil
Log Entry by Capt. Todd

Started our week at Kalokos Arches. Trumpet fish, Dragon Wrasses and Divided Flatworms greeted us. A move up to Hoover's Tower for the late morning revealed a Reticulated Butterfly, a Tiger Cowry and a Fried Egg Nudi. A drift dive at Aerials gave the divers an opportunity to see a rare Male Whitley's Boxfish and a Fuscia Flatworm. Afternoon at Garden Eel Cove saw 4 or 9 Mantas (varying accounts ) The evening show had five.

Southbound Monday to Meadows early, then Hammerheads late morning. A building north swell had us running for cover 18 miles south at lunch to south facing Okoe Bay where we had time for a dusk dive before dinner. Nite dive revealed "many" juvenile Flying Gurnards on the surface under the lights (very rare-see photo). This was our first night dive here, and the place was crawling with Eels, including Yellow Headed, Tiger Snake and some kind of Larval Eel (?), in addition to many types of plankton floating around - interesting!

Tuesday-Stoney Mesas opened the day where a Dragon Wrasse, Yellowtail Coris, a Flame Angel and a 'Fugu" (Japanese for Box Pufferfish) caught our eye. Catacombs gave up a Black Leafed Scorpionfish, Fried Egg Nudi and a Day Octopus. Manuka Bay in the afternoon saw some Spinner Dolphins, but they weren't in the mood. That's okay though, the diving was all that and more; saw a young Green Sea Turtle, an Octopus, a White Mouthed Moray, a Porcupinefish and the resident Orange Frogfish.

With a diminishing swell, Wednesday we made our escape north to Thompson's Reef for the first dive. Marilyn saw a big shark as she did her safety stop! Land of Oz revealed the Peacock Razor Wrasses in the sand channels that this place is popular for. A 7-11 Crab, assorted Nudi’s and Wrasses also filled the bill. Neverland in the afternoon saw Tinker's Butterflies, a previously unknown Yellow Frogfish, and the Wire Coral Gobi's with the micro-mini Coral Shrimp hanging nearby. The Hive was alive with Conger Eels! DM John found three of them in one nest.

Thursday- Paradise Pinnacle- HAMMERHEADS! We saw FOUR swim right above us, just beyond arms reach (like we were gonna grab one!). Lion's Den was ablaze with activity. A Frogfish, an Octopus and an array of Surgeonfish up in the shallows were among the creatures that our "critter magnet" James pointed out to our eager guests. After lunch, Driftwood had the shark thing going on - a White Tip was hanging in a new spot. Tina saw a Gold Laced Nudi, thanks to our new guy Martin - good job newbie! I showed everyone the lava tubes at Amphitheater, and saw some nice big Reticulated Cowries right out in the open! Must of been sunning themselves. It was Pelagic Magic after that and everyone was thrilled.

Friday, we had to do a "make up" dive to replace the one we missed Monday in the afternoon, so I got the new guy (Martin) up early and had him lead a dawn dive at our mooring. Loren, Melissa and Tina were up and eager to go! We wrapped up at Sharkfin Rock and Predator Wreck. Iron Divers this week- Melissa and Tina!!

 

[Aggressor Adventures]

Kona Aggressor II Captain’s Report Nov 10 - 17, 2012

Weather: Warm, partly sunny, slight swell from the NW
Water: 73 degrees
Wetsuit recommendation: 3-5 mil.
Log Entry by Capt. Todd

This week we welcome 13 guests from around the world. Bill and Jan, returning for their second round on the KAII from the bay area. Nancy and Marie, from Texas, Ken and Linda, from the Redding area of Northern California, Loren who didn't get enough last week (he was a guest on the last trip) and is out for round two! Bill and Kristin, part time residents of the Big Island, Aussie Gary, Londoner Rich and Russ from the central valley of California.

Sunday, we went with the standard game plan; north for Mantas, as they are calling for a N. swell later in the week. Did Kalokos Arches for both morning dives. A Viper Moray, a Curious Wormfish (? -so says Karl) and a Yellow Margin Moray were among the locals spotted here. Garden Eel Cove for dives 3,4,5. A lone Manta appeared for the night show and performed well.

Took a straight shot south Tuesday A.M to a new spot; "Ridges". The day boats frequent it but it's new to us. What a surprise, lots of interesting lava formations and a nice drop off. It was holding Lionfish, Octopus, Finescale Triggerfish, a Turtle and assorted Eels. Nice! A live dive at Capt. Cook Monument followed with some Hellers Barracudas spotted. Au Au Crater for the evening, the young Green Turtle we see often was there as were a Devil Scorpionfish, a Decoy Scorpionfish and a Conger Eel was seen devouring a Surgeonfish (someone didn't make it home for dinner that night...)

Tuesday - Tubestrea! Yes, we were there for the morning dive. Minimal current, good viz and the appearance of the storied Hairy Hermit delighted all the divers. I led the gang at Land of Oz and managed to spot a few juvenile Razor Wrasses in the sand channels for the cameras. Manuka Bay in the afternoon. Martin found his favorite local critter-the Hawaiian Lizard Fish- for the guests and a Triton's Trumpet was seen getting a belly full of starfish. And something unusual: Sea Urchins "smoking"! That's right! (Actually they were spawning)

Catacombs in the morning. I led the group north, my first time in that area and was impressed by all the swim thrus and grottos. Thompson's Reef next, where a slight current kept everyone close-by, but they still managed to see the resident White Tips (2!) Big guys too!... After lunch it was time for something new. We decided to "live dive" Neverland (noted for it's Hammerhead sightings) in the hopes of seeing those fellas in the absence of the noisy boat. Everyone swept through the drop offs there and sighted some Tinkers Butterflys, the newly discovered Frogfish and Bandit Angelfish. Pulled into Rob's for the evening. Saw a really big "fraidy-cat" Yellow Margin Eel that kept to himself in a hole and a couple big lobsters.

Lion's Den Thursday morning. Then we tried a new spot! Found a beautiful place just below "Place of Refuge" that we're gonna put on our divesite list. Some nice seacaves and a long submerged finger jutting out with caves and skylights. Ended daylight diving at Meadows. Everyone enjoyed the many "overhead environments" and we found a sleeping White Tip Reef Shark. "Pelagic Magic" was the unanimous choice for the evening. Nice calm conditions prevailed for pleasant viewing of nature's oddities from the deep.

Friday it was Sharkfin Reef followed by the Predator Wreck for some "submarine-side" antics! Iron Divers this week: Loren, Ken and Rich. Well done gentlemen!

 

[Aggressor Adventures]

Kona Aggressor Captain’s Report Nov 17 – 24, 2012

Weather: Cloudy early in the week, sunny later!
Air Temp: High 70's Water Temp: 72 degrees
Recommendations: 3-7 mil
Log Entry By Capt' Todd

The Kanucks are here! They've come en masse from Calgary and they are ready to dive! They're all divers from "The Dive Shop" in Calgary and they are: Rene, Chuck, Glen, Curtis, Stefan, Brad, Darcey (and his lovely wife Jen-Ben-the token girl on the trip), Alan, Dwayne, Phil, Doug, Alex and Bill - did I leave anyone out? These guys have been planning this trip and chatting over beers at Chuck's pub for over year now, so now, it's up to us, the mighty KAII crew to produce! (Fortunately the pristine diving here speaks for itself, so this should be easy!)

Found out on our first dive at Kalokos Arches that these guys know their stuff, all are DM's up thru instructor and it shows. Took them to Hoover's Tower for dive two, and then right into a "live dive" at Aerials after lunch. Only saw one Manta at Garden Eel Cove that evening but it was a worthy experience nonetheless, as the animal managed to visit everyone. And "Frank" the friendly eel, added some excitement as he became very affectionate with Rene! (photo)

As dawn broke Monday, we found ourselves pulling into Ridges for the first dive. Saw a Spotted Eagle Ray! Also present were a Dwarf Moray, a Guard Crab and a "Humuhumu Nukunuku a pua' a" (say that ten times), the local name for a Picasso Triggerfish, also happens to be the state fish. Moved on to our newest site "Midway" where Chuck and Rene spotted a Magnificent Snake Eel, and the guests got a stunning view of the boat from within the big sea cave (photo) Lion's Den followed where we found the newly discovered Yellow Frogfish. Night dive at the Hive. The Congers weren't around but plenty of other creatures came out for the lights.

Next morning we dropped in at Neverland and pulled a Hammerhead out of our hat! Continued on to Land of Oz and then Manuka Bay for the night. Saw a Day Octopus during the day (ya think?) and a Dragon Moray and Giant Ridgeback Slipper Lobster on the night dive!

Wednesday we ventured through all the grottos and caves at Catacombs for the morning. Did the same at Tubestrea Tunnel for the 10:30 dive. Treated everyone to another "live dive" after lunch at an interesting spot along our route. Saw a Turtle! Rob's Reef for the remainder of the day, where another turtle was spotted. (And that's a good thing because they don't have any turtles in Canada)

Thursday began at Au Au Crater. An Orange Mouthed Lizardfish made DM Martin's day, and a White Mouthed Moray hissed menacingly at divers as they swam by. Paradise Pinnacle gave up a rare beauty! A "Jolly Green Giant" Nudibranch, (photo) thought only to be found in the northern Hawaiian Islands was spotted by Glen- (good eye!) James our resident expert went down after the dive and confirmed its identity. After countless dives at these sites we still occasionally encounter the rare and bizarre, keeps it interesting! On the afternoon dive we explored new territory on a "live dive" north of the "City of Refuge". Exciting new terrain revealed a Borradaile's Ghost Shrimp (first one I've heard of), a Strawberry Nudi, a couple o' eels and a nice sized Ulua cruising by (always exciting). And get this, those of us who were topside got to see the FIRST HUMPBACK OF THE SEASON swim by not a hundred yards off our bow. Afternoon we were at Amphitheater where Rene and Chuck, while checking out the lava tubes, went off on their own and discovered another new one! Final night dive at Mantaville where we had the best showing of those animals I've ever seen there. SIX friendly beasts hung around and came right up to Jenben, Curtis and Glen while they were snorkeling above the group.

Friday morning it was Predator Wreck and Sharkfin Rock where a healthy school of Heller's Barracudas hung motionless for all to see. Had a hoot of a time with the Kanucks this week, everyone got along well and we did some serious diving. Thanks for inviting us to sit with you for Thanksgiving supper. Chuck is gonna hang the "Canada Friendship Flag" (photo) in his bar in Calgary to remind everybody of the good times had on this trip. Good job Doug, Bill and Brad for being our Iron Divers this week.

 

[Hawkwood]

Todd,

We all agreed that it was an awesome trip. Many thanks to yourself, Karl, James, Martin, Charles, and of course Vern. The folks are still posting on Facebook about his food.

Mahalo,
Bill

 

[Aggressor Adventures]

Weather: More sun this week than not!
Water temp: Getting down there, 77ish.
Recommendations: 3-7 mil
Log Entry by Capt. Todd

Well here we go again! This week we welcome 2 gals all the way from Poland, Krystyna and her daughter Alicja who came in late and were ready for bed after a 29 hr, flight! Also, Astrid, a former crewmember all the way back from the original KA I ! Hope to show her some new sites this week. She along with husband Bob is here to do some serious photography. Also on board, Mike and Jan - seasoned divers, Theresa and Kevin, Victoria, a Berkeley grad and Marion from the Bay area.

High Manta counts lately led us north again this week. Turtle Pinnacles first, where a Spotted Eagle Ray and some Spinner Dolphins got the ball rolling for the week. Aquariums produced a Flame Back Shrimp and a Yellow Margin Moray. Karl took Astrid and Bob on a special sojourn to the far side of Garden Eel Cove to get some shots of the reclusive Long Fin Anthius. The rest of the crowd enjoyed afternoon sightings of several Mantas as well as an Octopus. A great number the goliaths showed up for the evening (25!)

Monday early, I started em' up and headed south to Amphitheater, saw four Octopus and a Red Striped Pipefish. Driftwood revealed two more "eight legged" sea creatures-it's turning into an Octopus kind of a day. Midway, our newest site, after lunch where we found out there's a Frogfish living there! Rob's cave came alive at night with a Cusk Eel, a Conger Eel and a Regal Slipper Lobster. James, our naturalist, found a new type of Cowry-it's not in the books! Gonna go online and check that out.

Tuesday_ Started our day at Neverland, checked out the Bandit Angles at the bottom of the chasm. Then did something a little different; we traveled south along the drop off to a cave we discovered on an earlier drift dive here. Found a Sleepy Sponge Crab in there! Onward to Tubestrea Tunnel, it was a Nudi fest! (behave!) Saw several different types of Nudibranchs including a Gold Laced, a White Margin, and a Snow Goddess. A drift/live dive at Catacombs fulfilled our early afternoon dive and spied a very large Tufted Spiney Lobster, and a Spotted Eagle Ray made a brief appearance out in the blue. Catacombs for the wrap up. Mike saw TWO Dragon Morays on the night dive.

Wednesday-We woke up at Manuka Bay to the sound of dolphins around the boat; so a few early risers got a morning "dip with flipper". After a nice snorkel encounter, we idled over to Catacombs for the morning dive. Saw a Viper Moray, a Day Octopus and a nice big Tiger Cowry. Up to Land of Oz where Peacock Razor Wrasses were dancing about in the sand channels. The Hive for only one afternoon dive, still saw lots of nocturnal creatures in the dark cave including a Slipper Lobster and a Reticulated Cowrie. Night encounter at AuAu Crater. A Conger Eel, an Undulated eel, a Long Handed Lobster were among the night dwellers lurking there.

Thursday- Began at Paradise Pinnacle; saw the Long Nosed Hawkfish, a Thornback Cowfish and a Red Stripe Pipefish. Lion's Den showed the new Frogfish and a Moray getting a Cleaner Shrimp makeover. The evening was a Manta encore at the Sheraton. Saw several, and the roving school of Blue Trevally was busy stalking small reef fish.

Friday we wrapped up with a dive on the Predator Wreck and Sharkfin Rock.

 

[Aggressor Adventures]

Kona Aggressor II Captain’s Report Dec 1 – 8, 2012

Weather: Another sunny week, light winds out of the west. NW swell.
Water Temp: 75 (ish)
Log entry: Capt. Todd

This week we headed south right out of the gate in anticipation of a looming northwest swell. We started our splash in out at Driftwood where our divers roamed the southern region of the site and found a leaf scorpionfish and a pufferfish. Midway was our next site and we encountered a spotted eagle ray there! Rob's Reef had lots of action with a turtle, a red swimming crab, slipper lobster and some pebble covered collector urchins.

Monday we headed straight for Manuka Bay where we saw the bi-colored anthias, a Potter’s angelfish, milkfish, octopus and a manta! Not bad for a day’s work. Today’s night dive revealed a hairy hermit crab in a Triton's trumpet shell.

Tuesday we ventured further south to Wall's Wall. We haven't been there lately due to high winds down there and today we saw some rarities including a Whitley’s boxfish and a long handed lobster. We wound up at Okoe Bay for the evening and Karl took the divers on an extended foray out into deep water and saw giant and spotted pufferfish, undulated and giant morays and a tube anemone. We’ll have to do that again!

Wednesday morning's dive was The Maze, which is a site we haven't dove in a while. Here domino damsels, a white-mouthed moray and a teardrop butterfly were among the creatures wandering the passageways. Neverland and AuAu Crater were the afternoon and night dives.

Thursday it was Paradise Pinnacle followed by Lion's Den where a restless white tip reef shark was spotted. Lunchtime we ran north to Amphitheater for some lava tubes and then on to Mantaville where the mantas didn't let us down - we saw seven!

Friday I led the first dive so we tried a new spot for me called The Naked Lady! It's an old steel hulled sailing vessel that went down in Kona Bay some years ago. It's got a colorful story behind it, but we'll talk about that some other time What we'll talk about now is the big yellow margin moray hiding in the hollowed out mast! It made for a great "Kodak Moment". Turtle Pinnacle concluded our dives this week and here we spotted a horned helmet that was in hot pursuit of a collector urchin. He got so close I'm sure he could taste him. The urchin however had other ideas and quickly (ha ha) made his escape.

Thanks to: Ken and Ann, Karl and Alison, Sherri and Ron, Tom, William, Bonnie and Dave, Alison and Karl and finally Brian and Lynn. You all were a pleasant week's worth of fun. Hope to see you out there (under there) again one day....

Incidentally, the photos you are enjoying attached to this week's log are courtesy of Ken! You can see more of he and wife Ann's work at kenannphoto.com

 

[Aggressor Adventures]

Kona Aggressor II Captain’s Report Dec 8 – 15, 2012

Weather: Holding fast at "sunny and pleasant". (70's w/a slight westerly breeze)
Water Temp: A little chilly! (73-74 F.)
Wetsuit Advice: Seeing some 7 mils out here!
Log Entry By Capt Todd

To our latest divers this week: Deedee & Mark, Paul, Lon & Laura, Janet & Doc Mark, and Jessie...Welcome!

On a hunch, we headed north Sunday to hopefully make contact with the Mantas, who've been a little elusive this past week. We did our first two dives at Kalokos Arches. There we saw a Sailfin Tang, a Whitley's Boxfish and an Octopus to talk about. Garden Eel Cove was where we were for the entire afternoon. We saw a Freckled Snake and a Long Armed Octopus, not to mention a brief appearance by the Spinner Dolphins. And that evening our hunch paid off as the Mantas re-appeared!

Tuesday early, we ran our usual pattern-southbound! There we showed everyone the really cool "overhead environments" at Meadows - and we saw a White Tip! As well as a Green Sea Turtle and a Flame Angel, all prized sightings. Next door to Ridges we went next. This is one of our newest, exciting sites. There we saw an array of Nudibranchs and "some" Giant Puffers. The conditions there at the Redhill area were so lovely that we decided to spend the night there. We did our night dive at The Dome and lucky for us, a lone Manta showed up!

Wednesday we sailed south to Lion's Den for the morning dives. I led the first one and we managed to shake out a Lionfish or two. Karl led the second dive and found a Harlequin Shrimp in some Antler Coral, and a cluster of Bottlenose dolphins did a "swim by". Our afternoon was spent at The Hive where very calm conditions made for "easy street" diving in the "creature cavern".

Thursday we headed back north and stopped at Paradise Pinnacle where we saw the Red Striped Pipefish and the Long Nosed Hawkfish. Rob's was next and was a pleasant cave foray, thanks again to surgeless conditions. We ventured to Amphitheater in the afternoon, followed by Mantaville at 4:30. It was then Pelagic Magic, by popular demand, for the night dive where Jessie got a great shot of a Crowned Jellyfish (thanks Jess, and for the rest of the photos also!)

Friday we got "wrecked" at the Predator and we finished our diving week at Turtle Pinnacle where the Frogfish couldn't elude us and a Longfin Anthia came into focus for the cameras.

Thanks for a great week.
Kona Aggressor Crew

 

[Aggressor Adventures]

Kona Aggressor II Captain’s Report Dec 22 - 29, 2012

Weather: Mostly sunny with increasing cloud cover later in the day.
Air Temp: 70's
Wind: light
Water Temp:73-75F
Recommended wetsuits: 3mm-7mm.

Saturday we were met by our Happy Holiday travelers at the Kailua Pier. It was Manuel and Yocasta from New York, Gianine from Rhode Island, Vera from Belgium, Beth from North Carolina, Mary from Wisconsin, Richard (VAZZ) from Tennessee, Bruce and Sanja from Florida, and Barbara from Texas. These guys got along great!!! I was convinced they all ready knew each with their board games late at night!!!

Sunday:
Kalokos was the first of our trip and we were escorted to the site by a pod of dolphins. The talk on the dive deck was of a huge yellow margin moray, dwarf moray and a fly by from an eagle ray.

Aquarium started off with three leaf scorpion fish right by the boat. They also had an eagle ray join them on the second dive of the day.

Garden Eel Cove was the final resting place of the day and the location of our last three dives including our ‘Manta Dive’. We were also met yet again with a huge pod of spinner dolphins. On our way to the third and forth dive of the day it was garden eels, Hawaiian knife fish, white-sided razor wrasses, one male long fin anthias and a zebra flatworm. On the manta dive we had, as we say, “Manta Mayhem”. With mantas following us back to the boat where Vera just couldn't get enough of them!!!

Monday:
Meadows we had yet another escort to our dive site by dolphins. Down below they saw a slipper lobster in the lava tube and then later a dragon wrasse, Whitley’s boxfish and zebra moray.

Ridges - here the talk on the dive deck afterwards was all about the underwater terrain and cool canyons. For others they just enjoyed a dragon wrasse dancing over the small rocks.

Lyon Den - The talk on the dive deck was about the scenic canyons for some, but for Barbara it was all about the "Turtle", the rest just enjoyed the dragon wrasse.

Rob's Reef - This was the spot for our last two dives of the day. Our guests remarked about decoy scorpionfish, 7-Eleven crab, cusk eel, dwarf moray and on the night dive turtle, Spanish dancer, conger eel, jeweled anemone crab, and another cusk eel. After the night dive our guest were visited by a small pod of bottlenose dolphins!!

Tuesday:
Land of Oz - This was the spot for our first two dives of the day and what our guest remembered most of the dive was peacock razor wrasses dancing over the sand with the movement of the waves above. There were also dwarf morays, leaf scorpionfish, Potter’s angelfish, and a giant moray.

Manuka Bay - The highlight of the day was the Hammerhead Shark spotted by Bruce and Sanja!!! Others really enjoyed the bi-colored anthias, but there was so much more with leaf scorpionfish, octopus, spotted boxfish and a spiny cowfish only being a few things mentioned.

Wednesday:
Neverland - This was the spot of our first dive of the day and it was Hammerhead Sharks again!!! Others remarked on red spotted nudibranch, wire coral shrimp, red striped pipefish, and wire coral gobies were the critters mention most.

Au Au Crater - After the first two dives here our guest liked it so much we decided to stay the rest of the day!!! This was a good thing as we had two very playful turtles (Barbara's Favorite), Whitley’s boxfish, undulated morays, long armed lobster, spotted Hawaiian flatworm, and a match between a Triton's Trumpet and a Crown of Thorns!!! Manuel couldn't get enough of them!!!

Thursday:
Dome - This was the spot for our first two dives after Bruce, Sanja, and Gianine asked to stay for just one more dive here!!! This was a good thing as they got to see eagle ray, turtle, peacock razor wrasse, octopus, frogfish, and blue dragon nudibranchs amongst other things!!

Amphitheater - This was the spot for dive three and four. They dove both of the Lava Tubes and saw regal slipper lobsters, fried egg nudibranchs, octopus- that played with the guests for along time it seemed, leaf scorpionfish and a Picasso triggerfish.

Pelagic Magic - This was the night dive for Thursday and for Bruce, Manuel, Barbara, Gianine, and Vera a dive they soon won't forget with all its alien-like life forms that come up from the depths in the largest migration that takes place on earth!!!

Friday:
Sharkfin Rock - This was the spot for the last two dives of the week. The highlights were a playful day octopus, a fly by from an eagle ray, and a giant moray.

It was a sheer pleasure having our holiday group this week and can't wait for their return!! A special thanks to Bruce Shafer for the great shots you see!!!

Mahalo
Captain Karl