Back Underwater in Maui with Dad

  Oh it feels good to be back. Shortly after arriving back out to Maui with the family, my dad and his partner Cheryl arrived for a bit to hang with the grandkids and take in some of the tropical vacation vibe. We had a wonderful time with them visiting, from evenings out to beach and pool time at their Sugar Beach condo. Both kids got out on the boogie board with me in small waves which was a big step up from their comfort level in the water last year. Maybe all that pool time back in Stowe is going to pay off. 

   I wanted to jump in the water and show my dad a new snorkel spot so we headed down to a little secret spot in Makena. Turtles and beautiful coral can be found pretty much anywhere here in Makena, as long as the bottom is rocky. This spot was located on a lava rock outcropping at the very end of a beautiful beach. After walking through the waves we slipped on our fins and kicked out towards the submerged rocks. 

  The relief of the underwater landscape here is great for freediving. And it provides a great place for green sea turtles to rest, find food, and get cleaned by some friendly surgeonfish. We spotted all the usual suspects, the humuhumunukunukuapua'a, moorish idols, highfin chubs, butterflyfish, goatfish, trumpetfish, and wrasse. Then we got lucky at the turtle cleaning station where two turtles were hovering in mid water while little fish pecked off algae growing on the turtles shell and body. 

  It is a spot I'll continue to go back to. And I bet my dad is ready to return as well...although it will have to wait for his next trip. Till then..enjoy the photos and the memories, dad.