Diving May 16-24, 2016

Ocean, weather, and surf conditions were much better than last year at the same time. I was able to get in several North and South shore dives during our time on Kauai.

Spotted Eagle Ray Tunnels Reef, Kauai Spotted eagle ray at Tunnels. Compared to last year at the same time, North Shore conditions were fab.

1 Spotted eagle ray at Tunnels. Compared to last year at the same time, North Shore conditions were fab.

Cavern swimthrough Tunnels Reef, Kauai Cavern swimthrough at Tunnels

2 Cavern swimthrough at Tunnels

KauaiDiving2016-012 Honu resting on top of the turtle cleaning station at Tunnels

3 Honu resting on top of the turtle cleaning station at Tunnels

Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle

4 Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle

KauaiDiving2016-022 An egg sac laid by the Spanish Dancer nudibranch

5 An egg sac laid by the Spanish Dancer nudibranch

KauaiDiving2016-024 Tunnels topography

6 Tunnels topography

KauaiDiving2016-027-Enhanced-NR View from one cavern into another, sunlit from above

7 View from one cavern into another, sunlit from above

Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle (Honu) Koloa Landing dive site, Kauai Thursday I headed south for some shore diving at Koloa Landing. Immediately upon entry was this green sea turtle resting and taking a nap.

8 Thursday I headed south for some shore diving at Koloa Landing. Immediately upon entry was this green sea turtle resting and taking a nap.

KauaiDiving2016-038 Whitemouth Moray

9 Whitemouth Moray

10 You may just be able to make out the profile of this Shortsnout Scorpionfish

Crown of Thorns star Koloa Landing dive site, Kauai Crown of Thorns star at Koloa Landing

11 Crown of Thorns star at Koloa Landing

Stout Moray Koloa Landing dive site, Kauai Stout Moray

12 Stout Moray

Stout Moray Koloa Landing dive site Stout Moray's come in a wide variety of color combinations

13 Stout Moray's come in a wide variety of color combinations

KauaiDiving2016-071 This Lizardfish was pretty good sized

14 This Lizardfish was pretty good sized

KauaiDiving2016-073 Turtle heading for the surface at Koloa Landing

15 Turtle heading for the surface at Koloa Landing

I love the eyes of this female Marbled Shrimp found clambering at twilight over a head of cauliflower coral. The females sport bristles on their body and front legs that earns them the nickname Fuller Brush Shrimp. I love the eyes of this female Marbled Shrimp found clambering at twilight over a head of cauliflower coral. The females sport bristles on their body and front...

16 I love the eyes of this female Marbled Shrimp found clambering at twilight over a head of cauliflower coral. The females sport bristles on their body and front…

Hermit crab on a head of antler coral Koloa Landing dive site, Kauai Hermit crab on a different head of antler coral

17 Hermit crab on a different head of antler coral

Purple Velvet Stars used to only be found at significant depths, but they are becoming more common on the shallower reefs of Hawaii Purple Velvet Stars used to only be found at significant depths, but they are becoming more common on the shallower reefs of Hawaii

18 Purple Velvet Stars used to only be found at significant depths, but they are becoming more common on the shallower reefs of Hawaii

KauaiDiving2016-090 First time I've seen a black sea cucumber holding out a welcome sign

19 First time I've seen a black sea cucumber holding out a welcome sign

KauaiDiving2016-092 My first time seeing a Pustulose Nudibranch, wish I had gotten a better shot of it

20 My first time seeing a Pustulose Nudibranch, wish I had gotten a better shot of it