Today started bright and cheerful when we picked up Cynthia, Max, Robert and Jeremy in Waikiki, a family visiting from Ohio who were eager and excited to see turtles up close and in person. Back at the shop, we got them all properly geared up and loaded on the boat. On the boat ride out, the sun was warm on our backs as we reviewed the scuba skills briefing to familiarize everyone with their first experience breathing underwater.
Cynthia, Max & Robert. Where's Jeremy?!
Our first dive site was Koko Craters where we tied up to the mooring line and proceeded to gear up. Cynthia and Max were first in the water and encountered no problem with breathing through a regulator under water. They hung on the line just under the boat, watching the passing fish as we then brought Robert and Jeremy down to join them. Jeremy was a real trooper and worked right through his nervousness and soon was so comfortable underwater he kept wandering off! LOL! Good job, Jeremy!
On their very first dive, the four first time divers got to see five Hawaii turtles (hono) up close, along with several eels large and small, a sponge crab, blue scorpion leaf fish, sargeant fish and then Bodhi the photographer found an octopus!
The elusive Spotted Eagle Ray!
Thirty minutes later we all surfaced, boarded the boat, pulled anchor and headed for our next favorite Hawaii shallow reef dive site, Turtle Canyons. This time, all four beginner divers had no problem slipping beneath the waves and we quickly set off to explore the nooks and crannies of Turtle Canyon reef. Visibility was a little reduced due to an unusual thermocline, but that didn't stop us from spotting the elusive Spotted Eagle Ray as it winged silently by. A short while later we found a baby turtle the size of a basketball tucked away under a ledge, sleeping peacefully. On the way back we also ran across a large Helmet Conch shell, buried in the sand. Finally, our dive was done and we were back on the boat.
Thank you Cynthia, Max, Robert and Jeremy, for coming out with us today and letting us share our scuba diving passion with you! We loved seeing how excited you all were - it makes our day! And we look forward to seeing Jeremy and Max in two days for their Open Water Scuba Certification! Aloha and Mahalo!