Surge and Waves at Electric Beach, Oahu

Blue Dragon Nudibranch

Small Blue Dragon next to Heidi's pinky finger

 Winter is here and the swells are bringing huge waves to our north and west shores here in Oahu. This is great for surfing, we had three huge professional surf events here last month, but can be problematic for scuba diving. Especially if you want to take underwater photos. But, after a bit of a dry spell for us diving here in Oahu, Heidi and I geared up for a shore dive at one of our usual spots called Electric Beach. It got this name because of a huge factory located just across the road from this beach, which has two huge output pipes running out into about 30ft deep water. Cold, deep ocean water used for cooling in the plant is pumped out here creating upwelling and a visible disturbance on the surface. This, and the clouds of fish attracted to this area make it pretty easy to find.

Desirable Nudibranch

Desirable Nudibranch (Flabellina exoptata)

 The real attraction for Heidi and myself is the fact that many nudibranchs crowd the area on top of the outflow pipes. It is a great spot to find blue dragon nudibranchs and desirable nudibranchs, both of which are very rare on Maui. 

  Today, despite the very difficult surgy conditions we were able to find quite a few blue dragons and desirables, as well as a rare Phyllida, white margin, and imperial nudibranchs. Here are a few pictures that I managed to snap in between surges.
 

Lizard Fish in ambush mode

Teardrop Butterfly Fish juvenile