Best
snorkel, free dive or scuba dive spots on Oahu's West Coast beaches
How to Respect Hawaii's Marine Life, video
FIND NEW ADVENTURES WITH HAWAII'S MARINE LIFE
Sure, you can vacation in Hawaii for the spectacular beaches, but stop there and you'll miss the fascinating world beyond the sand. Hawaii 's waters are home to an extraordinary array of marine life, from the vibrant fish to the graceful and mysterious spotted eagle rays, the playful spinner dolphins to the mighty humpback whale. Jump in on the surface with a mask and snorkel, or go deep with scuba gear and see what you can discover!
Makaha
Beach Park, Caverns, Turtle Town, Hale O Honu
Being
underwater in Hawaii is like visiting a national park, but more. In
the park you may see birds, bears or other wildlife, but snorkeling or diving (or even boating!) on the coral reefs, the diversity and
magnitude of marine wildlife encountered is many times that of its terrestrial
counterparts.
The
following coral reefs, great for snorkeling, and free diving on the
Leeward Coast of Oahu, Hawaii, put tourist-heavy areas like Hanauma
Bay to shame for the serenity and natural beauty of healthy reef ecosystems.
Pukano Point (South end of Kewa'ula / Yokohama Beach)
Excellent
coast line to explore, shallow with beautiful lava and rock formations
to swim and peer into. Many small nursery type fish and mature adults
in this protected habitat. Nice Pics and Descriptions of Yok's.
Makua Beach
This is one of those dives that must be explored like a one would
do when moving into a new neighborhood. The depth can be from 15
- 50ft. and houses a ledge abundant in fish
and invertebrates. Dolphins can be in this area, and lots of white
goat fish, moorish idol schools, giant parrot fish, large yellow
tang schools, and the famous Hawaiian checker cowries.
The area is also marked with many small caves and overhangs, all
great hiding spots for eels, turtles, lobsters, crabs, and small
reef fishes. During the winter months and
when surf conditions permit, you might hear the sound of Humpback
Whales communicating in the distance. The sound at times becomes
so clear you get the feeling that the whales are right next to you.
One more fact worthy of noting; the water temperature here is usually
2-3 degrees warmer than anywhere else on the island, with the exception
of Electric Beach, near the outfall. Water visibility is normally
greater than 80+ feet
At
Kea'au Corners
- You'll
find a lava tube that goes straight down and is surrounded by tons
of reef fish (about 35-40 feet deep) A nearby overhang/cavern regularly
houses Jacks, bigeye soldierfish, and peacock grouper amongst other
creatures.
Makaha
Beach Park (Caverns)
- Oahu's
second most popular dive site overall. This superb
SNUBA or snorkel area supports water with a wonderful aqua blue
tint. Underwater formations resemble caverns, arches and tunnels
at depths of 20 to 40 feet. Visibility is normally excellent, with
little current. Sealife includes large schools of ta'ape, octopus,
several species of eels, resident (tame) white tip reef sharks,
tons of green sea turtles, transiting dolphins, and occasional manta
and eagle rays. You can even visit a unique turtle feeding ground
and with its own natural underwater cleaning station Hale O Honu or "Turtle Town". Abundant photographic
opportunities exist at this (and all) our sites.
Electric
Beach at Kahe Point
The key feature is the power plant outflow which discharges in about
30 feet of water. The rocks around the twin pipes form an artificial
reef spurred by the thermal outfall which is at optimal temperature
for coral growth. The coral supports a wonderfully abundant and
diverse chain of wildlife. Tech reef is located closer to the Ko Olina Resort area.
Getting
there aboard our catamaran through pristine waters, gives
you time to relax, enjoy the view, and learn little known facts about Hawaii.
Lead by a marine biologist team with an active interest in this
diverse area in their "backyard" - and with an
intimate 16 passenger limit, this journey is so much more than a
"taxi service" shuttling you between sites. Snorkeling
is combined with our morning wildlife
charters.
- Wild Side Specialty
Tours, LLC on the island of Oahu:
Waianae Boat Harbor, A5
Oahu Hawaii 96792 (near Ko Olina Resort)
TEL (808) 306-7273
FAX (808) 668-4075
email: reservations@sailhawaii.com
