Latitude 59
Contributor
Did a shore dive to Makaha caverns on Oahu early AM, gorgeous lighting in there. Went back there on boat dive, so many things to look at didn't want to swim! Did one shore dive at Shark's Cove but was a total pain walking down fully geared up hauling camera gear, literally stepping over people on towels as beach was jammed to find waters edge. Was afraid I'd trip and kill someone with tank. Did boat dives with Bruces charters. Boat jammed and guides would not allow buddy teams to go off on their own and were not sensitive to photographers who require more than 1 second to set up a shot. Mostly tried to swim folks out of air. Was not impressed!! A nice change of creatures from usual Caribbean ones.
On Big Island dove with Kona Honu - a manta less night dive - totally skunked. Black water dive I loved, only 3 divers plus guide. I was first one in, dropped to 45 ft, faced the current and using 3 lights was able to immediately start picking out the creatures. Like looking directly into blinding snowstorm and focusing on one flake to see what it is as it gets closer. A bit of vertigo when others flashed lights towards my eyes following creatures they found but overcame it. Wished I could have stayed down a couple more hours as everything was different!!! Back to harbor after 1AM.
Did a few more dives with Kona Honu and much better guides than Bruces. Good briefing on creatures we might encounter. Topography boring but many creatures if alert. All staff pleasant and try to go the extra mile to assure everyone has a good time.
Shore dove Place of Refuge which was great to park, gear up and fall right into water. Boring topography but tons of life in every nook and cranny and white tip shark. Stayed at Kona Coast Resort condo and would recommend them. If I went back would do much more shore diving.
Of note, asked Kona Honu for shore diving maps and wasn't provided much. Went to Jack's Diving Locker (happened to be driving by) and they had great map and directions to sites, local scoop.
On Big Island dove with Kona Honu - a manta less night dive - totally skunked. Black water dive I loved, only 3 divers plus guide. I was first one in, dropped to 45 ft, faced the current and using 3 lights was able to immediately start picking out the creatures. Like looking directly into blinding snowstorm and focusing on one flake to see what it is as it gets closer. A bit of vertigo when others flashed lights towards my eyes following creatures they found but overcame it. Wished I could have stayed down a couple more hours as everything was different!!! Back to harbor after 1AM.
Did a few more dives with Kona Honu and much better guides than Bruces. Good briefing on creatures we might encounter. Topography boring but many creatures if alert. All staff pleasant and try to go the extra mile to assure everyone has a good time.
Shore dove Place of Refuge which was great to park, gear up and fall right into water. Boring topography but tons of life in every nook and cranny and white tip shark. Stayed at Kona Coast Resort condo and would recommend them. If I went back would do much more shore diving.
Of note, asked Kona Honu for shore diving maps and wasn't provided much. Went to Jack's Diving Locker (happened to be driving by) and they had great map and directions to sites, local scoop.