Kayak and Scuba Dive at Molokini Crater

Giant Trevally coming in for a look
What an adventure! What a dive! Heidi and I kayaked out early in the morning to our favorite off shore rock, Molokini, for a scuba dive. We lucked out with great weather, with just a little swell coming in from the trade winds. When we arrived at the crater we were about to tie up to a mooring when our friends pulled in on a dive trip and offered for us to tie up to their boat. With that taken care of we descended down and almost immediately Heidi found a long blue dragon nudibranch which quickly turned into three blue dragon nudibranchs when we noticed the other two very close by. One was a brown color variation and the other two very blue.
Gold Lace Nudibranch
Varicose Phyllidia
 As the dive continued we spotted many more small treasures of the reef. It is funny that these made up our dive since most people go to Molokini looking for big things like sharks, rays, or other pelagic fish. I did get buzzed by a giant trevally, or ulua as they are known locally.

feeling safe deep in antler coral

blue dragon nudibranch

white mouth moray at Molokini
 Later in the dive we found a couple of eels poking out from their lairs. This white mouth moray eel was surrounded by beautiful reef which shows just a little of what Molokini can offer. The colors are so vibrant since there is very little sediment murking up the water. The colors can also be seen on the starry eyed parrot fish. And finally Heidi called me over and pointed out this hulking crustacean perched high on a rock. It took me a few moments but I finally recognized the shell of a very large slipper lobster. Usually I only find these guys at night and flat against a stone. It was wild how this one was standing up on its tip toes almost like a ballerina.
Molokini is where to go for clear water
starry eyed parrot fish making sand
slipper lobster like I've never seen it

blue dragon nudibranch, #16 on this dive!



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