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Dive
Site: Place of Refuge
Depth: 15 -100 feet
Location: South Kailua-Kona
Visibility: 50-100 feet
Level: Beginner - Advanced
Sea Life: Yellow Tang, Moorish Idol, Achilles Tang,
eels, crabs and much more |
| This
Kona Coast dive site is possibly the most beautiful, diverse, easily
accessible, interesting dive location we have on the Island of Hawaii.
It is at Honaunau Bay, just north of the National Historic Park, Pu'uhonua
O' Honaunau (Place of Refuge), sometimes incorrectly referred to as,
"City of Refuge". This whole area is an ancient Hawaiian
fishing/religious ceremonial area, so treat it as such and show the
proper respect, please. |
| There is
an abundance of colorful reef marine life, making this is an excellent
place to snorkel as well as scuba. The clarity of the water here is
conducive to exciting sightings of various marine-life species. There
are two fine routes for scuba divers to take from the entry point
- so bring two tanks. One is straight out toward open ocean, the second
along the rocky shore in a northerly direction. If you are going straight
out, watch and listen closely for the many fishing boats that use
this bay as a launch site (a cautionary dive flag float is recommended).
The straight out route will take you across many coral heads and sandy
channels holding a multitude of invertebrates and reef fish. A gradual
slope will drop off to about 30'-35' until, in the center of the bay,
you'll reach a living coral reef that is punctuated with countless
pukas (holes) that hold numerous eels, crabs and shells of many descriptions.
Watch for the Giant Green Sea Turtles in this bay as they often frequent
this fantastic dive spot. Remember, the Green Sea Turtle is a protected,
endangered species. So don't touch, grab on to, or try to ride these
valuable creatures - the penalties for such action, if reported, is
mega bucks and it ain't worth it. Just enjoy their presence. I once
saw a Hawaiian Monk Seal near this center-bay reef. (Monk Seals are
now being released along our Kona Coast - transplanted from the Northwest
Hawaiian Islands in hopes of saving this endangered species).
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| Here's
a hint on diving anywhere: When you see a coral reef
that is covered with living coral, thoroughly inspect it, slowly,
for it will be filled with delightful sea-life, in, around, under
and above it - but don't touch it. Dead coral heads and most rock
rubble areas generally hold fewer species (but fascinating ones, nonetheless). |
| If you
opt for the northerly shore route from the entry area you'll find
many caves and indentations as you explore the underwater terrain.
The lava wall is literally filled with hiding places for Kona's famous
ula (Spiney Lobster) and (although they are being over harvested)
you just may glimpse one or two peeking out at YOU! |
| Only
a few yards away from the shoreline you'll notice a gradual slope
of branch coral rubble. It slopes down more rapidly as you descend
to over 80' before leveling off in a sandy flat at over 100' (so watch
your bottom time). As you float over this ledge watch for the infamous
Crown of Thorns Sea Star. This voracious critter is covered with sharp
spines that can cause considerable pain when touched (so, don't touch
'em!). This is the animal that often decimates areas of the Great
Barrier Reef of the northeast coast of Australia. The only known natural
predator of the Crown of Thorns is the Triton Trumpet shellfish -
so if you see a Triton, leave it alone, so it can do its job on the
Crown of Thorns. At the bottom of the bay, in the sandy area, you
used to see several giant pupuhi (Horned Helmet Shells) but they,
too, have been taken home for souvenirs. Occasionally, huge Manta
Rays, and often, leopard rays are seen resting on the sandy flats.
We've seen schools of opelo here that numbered in the thousands (often
being chased by hungry skipjacks). Sometimes these schools are so
dense they actually blot out the sun, appearing as black undulating
masses of unrecognizable blobs of darkness. As they draw nearer, or
if you are a brave soul and go toward them, you'll see that the 'blob'
is actually thousands and thousands of tiny fish. Quite an experience!
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| Description
provided by; Dick Dresie (website) |
Diver
Reviews:
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this dive site. |
Water
Temperature:
70/75 F, 21/24 C from November to April
75/80 F, 24/27 C from May to October |
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