Finally, after 30 years in Hawaii, I am doing the Niihau dives off Lehua Rock. Since the crossing to Niihau is often not doable, I booked 5 charters with 3 different companies in the hopes of getting there at least once. We made it all 5 trips!
And it was truly awe inspiring! Monk seals on almost every dive, tons of new species for me: Sandbar Shark, Redstripe Pipefish, Blackstripe Coris, Tiger Flatworm, Longnose Hawkfish, Regal Parrotfish, Wood’s Razor Wrasse, Spotted Knifejaw, Island Goatfish, Sargassum Frogfish, and the Hawaiian Reticulaterd Cowry.
I will post day by day as I finish editing each day, so here is day 1, a 3-tank charter with Fathom Five Divers on their 6 pack boat. The dive guide was Linda, who is a 45 year veteran Kauai diver who founded and ran Bubble’s Below Scuba for 38 years before selling it and is now just diving for other companies. Couldn’t ask for a more knowledgeable guide. She was absolutely amazing above and below the water.
On the way to Niihau, and Dive 1 at Pyramid Point:
Dive 2 at Twin Arches. This dive is all about topography.
Third dive at Neon Cave:
