Dive 43 : Mid Reef, Molokini, Hawaii
Dive No. 43 of 236Date Aug 18, 1999
Bottom Time
To Date25:02
This Dive0:49
Cumulative Time25:51
Location Mid Reef, Molokini, Hawaii
Time IN 17:02Time OUT 17:55
SI
6:04		 PG
 PG
58'
DEPTH		 0:03
15ft STOP
0:49
Air Temp 80F
Water Temp 78F
Visibility 100'
Buddy Lily
Dive Chart
Notes
Late afternoon dive. Soon after we started, Andy spotted a Manta Ray in the distance. It took me a while to see it.

Soon after we settled down on the bottom and waited. Shortly two more Manta Rays approached. One of them circled around behind us pretty close, the other one in front of us had a Jack hiding underneath it. We watched the Ray try to shake the Jack but wasn't successful. The Mantas were all pretty small, maybe 4' or 5' across.

After the Mantas left the area, Andy showed us how an Ulua (Hawaiian name for a Black Trevally) will think a dive knife is a fish and attack it. I guess the Ulua thinks the shiny knife is an injured fish that is sinking to the bottom.

The rest of the dive we checked out the area as we will be doing our night dive in this area. I saw a small Eel slither around the floor. We also saw a Whitetip Shark patrolling the reef in the distance.

Click on thumbnail for a full-size picture.

This was the best shot I've been able to get of the Manta Rays. This is the one that passed behind us.
Viewed: 88 times.
This Manta Ray was in front of us, but pretty far away. It's hard to see in this picture, but there is a Jack hiding in the Manta's shadow.
Viewed: 57 times.
The divemaster is showing us how this shell buries itself in the sand.
Viewed: 46 times.

This Black Trevally (Ulua in Hawaiian) was attracted by a shiny dive knife.
Viewed: 56 times.
Here the Black Trevally is diving to the bottom after the knife.
Viewed: 64 times.
A great shot of a Moorish Idol.
Viewed: 39 times.

A crappy shot of a Fire Dartfish. These fish are very rare in Hawaii, but there are several in this area. I couldn't get any closer without them darting into hole.
Viewed: 53 times.
A pair of Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasses wait at a cleaning station for a fresh parasite covered fish.
Viewed: 32 times.
After the dive we hung out on the boat, ate pizza and watched the sun set.
Viewed: 45 times.

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