Friday 5th February - Diving

A 6.30am start - haven't had one of those for a while now.

Fitted out for a wetsuit at the dive centre and drove down to the harbour. The boat isn't kept here but is launched down the boat ramp.

Got chatting to a couple of other divers whilst waiting for the boat to be made ready. Bill from Calgary, Canada has done 500+ dive with Big Island Divers, Bob from Hawaii has done over 200 so they are pretty independent. There's Steve from Portland and another couple plus one man doing his dive training.

First dive was to Pine Trees/Golden Arches. As it is a while since we last dived (around 2 years really) it look some time to get comfortable again. Saw lots of fish (have posted several photos from this and the second dive). Visibility was excellent - could see for 15-20 metres. Saw quite a few fish. Apparently there was an octopus which Vinnie the dive guide was pointing at but it was really well camouflaged and I couldn't see it.

Back on the boat for a snack and drinks and then off to the next site - Kaloko. Had less weight this time so felt much better, buoyancy under control. An excellent dive with lots of fish. We saw a few rare ones - a male Whiteley's boxfish which is blue. Everyone got very excited about it. Also a flame angelfish and the strangest fish I have ever seen - a juvenile dragon wrasse (also known as a rock mover). It doesn't look like a fish at all.

As we came up there were humpback whales breaching to the south. One of the other divers said he could hear them underwater.  The boat has a hot shower and even hair conditioner! For female divers this is quite something.

Very relaxed on the way back. Picked up a fish id book from the dive center and spent part of the afternoon trying to match our photos to those in the book.

Have booked ourselves on the night time manta ray dive plus a twilight dive to the same place just before so we know where we are when it is dark. There will be a circle of lights and we will be kneeling next to them and the mantas should be attracted to the lights and feed on the plankton. Fingers crossed that we see one.