Love
on the Rocks - Hawaii Coral Spawning
The
signals are subtle. First, a fat full moon droops through the hot heavy
clouds of a tropical summer night. Below the ocean's surface, coral
polyps swell slightly. The experienced eye knows how to read the signs:
it's time for the coral to spawn. It happens every summer, April-September.
Many corals thrive here in the Hawaiian Islands. Cauliflower, antler, lobe, and finger corals
are most commonly seen. These species may fill the surrounding clear
tropical waters with tiny pearl-like eggs and smoky sperm during sexual
reproduction.
Hawaii
is the only place in the world where coral spawning can be observed
during daylight hours.
Coral
spawning is an amazing thing to observe. During this annual event, the
wonders of the reef are even more amazing. Oftentimes other critters
join the action and spawn as well. There is a good chance you can witness
sponges, brittle stars, and marine worms spawn at the same time. In
addition, a myriad of tiny fishes swarm to the area to feed on the spawn.
This draws bigger fish hoping to feed on the smaller fish, and an entire
food chain may be observed in a microcosm.Catching
sight of coral spawning in the wild is, in many ways, a
guessing game. But our researchers say observers stand the best chance
with the following species on the specified dates and times. 
Cauliflower
or Rose Coral (Pocillopora meandrina): April -- May, at full
moon and/or 2-3 days after, around 7:30 in the morning. Profuse spawning
can reduce visibility from 100 ft. to fog in about one hour. This one
is a "don't miss"!
Mushroom
Coral (fungia scutaira): June -- Sept. on the first full moon
and as much as three nights later, between 5 and 7 p.m.. 
Rice
Coral (Montipora verrucosa): June -- August, 3-5 days after a
new moon between 8 and 10 p.m.. This spawning may be the easiest to
see.
Finger
Coral (Porites lobata): June, July and sometimes August, two
to three days after a full moon, around midnight. Kind of hard to see,
looks like a haze. 
Lace
Coral (Pocillopora damicornis): Year-around, with all phases
of the moon. This coral releases larvae throughout the day, but mostly
at night.
Book
reservations well in advance for Wild Side's popular coral spawning
snorkel charters. Rates are $105 per person for approximate four-hour
charters which take place near, and include, visiting the resting grounds
of Hawaiian spinner dolphins. Email
Us for more info
