Since I was buddied up with Jo we were first in the water. There were 18 divers and three "guides", so they paired up all the divers and the three guides each took a group.
Visibility was good - about 60 feet. I headed down to the wreck and waited for the rest of the group to make it down. A couple of them were having a little trouble descending. We all followed along behind Jo as she went on a little tour.
At the bow, the huge Blue Dragon Nudibranch was still there.
Blue Dragon Nudibranch
This is about the coolest patch of Transverse Coral I have ever seen. the books always say that the center of the calyces can be green, but this is the first time I have seen it!
Transverse Coral
A close-up of Snowflake Coral - only a few polyps open, but shows good detail.
Snowflake Coral
This huge school of Spotted Eagle Rays was hanging around so I just had to sidle over and take some photos.
I switched to video and just after I did, two other divers decided they wanted a closer look. Instead of coming over from behind, they simply swam toward the rays and they turned and hightailed it away. Frustrating! But I did manage to get a short video.
Spotted Eagle Rays
As I was ascending slowly along the mast, I got some other really good photos. These Philippine Hydroids were really healthy. They have not looked so good in a while.
Philippine Hydroid
The Orange Cup Corals were out in daylight feeding. I see them every dive, but rarely open like this.
Orange Cup Coral
These hawkfish usually skitter away, but this one stood its ground.
Redbarred Hawkfish
The Spotted Eagle Rays did another flyby just as I was getting to the top of the mast. They were a little too far away for good photos and I was out of time and air so I couldn't go chase them.
I did my safety stop under the boat and then swam up to the ladder and climbed out.
On the second dive, we made the normal tour through Makaha Caverns. Another view of a Rough-Spined Urchin.
Rough-Spined Urchin
Lots of Green Sea Turtles today - up close and personal!
Green Sea Turtle
This Day Octopus was hiding out in a little hole in the reef.
Day Octopus
This Bloody Hermit Crab was packing this huge chunk of coral around on his shell! I was shocked when the coral moved and took a closer look.
Bloody Hermit Crab
This is only the second one of these that I have seen!
Blue-Black Urchin
Hung around under the boat until I used up my air and then slowly ascended and climbed out.
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