Most Excellent Shore Diving Reviews of Barry Fackler!

Review Date       AVG       ShoreDiving Site

01/22/2003        4.31      Mile Marker 4 The Big Island, Hawaiian Islands

A great dive site in the summer but a hit-or-miss proposition in the winter when NW swells drive the surf right into this little cove. In Summer 2002, a parking lot was added just north of this site by the county. You can gear up in this lot and walk down a narrow path to the entry. This is nice because parking is limited along the wall on Ali'i Drive. An added bonus is the shower & toilets @ the north end of the lot (for adjacent Magic Sands Beach Park). Once in the water, the best variety of terrain is to the left (south). There is a series of lava tubes, canyons, and caverns in this direction. Outstanding variety of tropical reef fish here. Saw 6 Green Sea Turtles on a single dive in this area. Lots of Whitemouth, Undulated, & Yellowmargin Morays. You can stay shallow & explore the reef tops or go 40 to 60' and check out the canyons. In a couple of caverns you can see uncommon Wavy Cave Sponges on the wall. This is a good place to find mollusks like Tiger Cowries, Leopard Cones, Triton's Trumpets & Day Octopi. Heading straight out can also be a good dive. In the shallows you can spot Lagoon Triggerfish and Dragon Wrasse. In around 20', my wife & I once saw 2 White-tip Reef Sharks tucked under a ledge. Further out, on the sand flats I've seen big Horned Helmet shells, Kona Crabs, and Blackside Razorfish that dive headfirst into the sand when you approach. Bluefin Trevally patrol out here also. The sand flats are also home to a couple colonies of Antler Coral each standing around 3 feet above the otherwise featureless terrain. When exiting the water, it's best to wait for any sets to pass. The bottom is really rocky and uneven and just a relatively small wave can knock you over. Likewise, the path that leads up to Ali'i Drive is strewn with loose coral rock that can easily make you lose your footing.

01/20/2003        3.96      Place of Refuge The Big Island, Hawaiian Islands

As a Big Island resident, I've found Honaunau to be one of the best sites on the island. The diversity of marine life here is amazing. Green Sea Turtles can be seen every day. Other big animals I've seen at this site include Manta Rays, Eagle Rays, White-Tip Reef Sharks and (on numerous occasions) Spinner Dolphins. The entry here is easy and convenient. A natural Two-Step formed in the lava rock that you can giant-stride off of. Exit from the Two-Step is also easy but I recommend wearing gloves as Rock-Boring Urchins are on the step. The entire shoreline is lava rock and entry/exit anywhere but the Two-Step is dangerous for the diver & bad for the littoral environment. You can go as deep as you want here. At 130' on the north end of the bay is a rock on sand bottom that is alive with Bicolor & Longfin Anthias. The shallow reef has numerous cleaning stations which allow great photo ops as the colorful reef fish spread their fins to be cleaned. The drop-off has impressive plate coral formations. It's best to get there early as this relatively small bay can get crowded. Also ascend with extra caution. In addition to motorized craft from the boat landing, this bay is home to a local canoe club. You can't hear an outrigger coming! Also, this general area is sacred to the Hawaiians and some common-sense respect for the land & the water should be observed. Don't litter and don't impose your values on the locals. Spearfishing is occasionally practiced here as it has been for centuries without damage to the ecological balance. It is a local custom that will be vigorously defended if challenged. With the variety of depth, terrain and marine life, this is a good place for a two-tanker. Especially if you are making the trip from Kailua-Kona or the Kohala resort areas.