Scuba Diving Hawaii - Garden Eel Cove

This dive site is another average scuba diving site on the Kona side of the Island. It is a comparatively shallow dive, approximately 60 feet and less, along a gentle slope of stony corals.

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Overall Rating = 3.2 out of 5

Access - Moderate; boat only and 25 minutesfrom Honokohau Marina & Small Boat Harbor, Kailua Kona
Depth to 70 ft
Visibility - moderate to good
Current - variable
Marine Species variety - Good; can find Dolphin and Manta Rays on this site
Reef health - Good

Garden Eel Cove is another average scuba diving site on the Western side of the Island. It is a somewhat shallow dive, 60 feet and less, following a gradual slope of stony corals. This site can be extremely good as a late afternoon dive, previous to a night-time Manta Ray dive as you will often find the Manta's beginning to gather in anticipation of their "feast" that will arrive presently in the night. The corals on the location are very healthy as they are for the most part in the Kona locale. In spite of this, for those scuba divers who are accustomed to warmer water, you will not see soft coral in Hawaii and you might think the coral reef appears less healthy than in warmer climates. The solution is you need to comprehend what you are focusing on on Hawaiian reefs. These coral reefs are in actuality teeming with marine life. You just have to be aware of your environment. So before you dive in Hawaii I would recommend you to read a bit on the reef so you can value it on your dives.

On this dive you may also find dolphins, sea turtles and a number of marine species. It can be a especially relaxing and remarkable dive. Make sure you keep your ears and eyes open on this dive. If the dolphins are at hand you will hear them well before you are able to see them.

This scuba diving site receives its name from a sandy spot just offshore of the coral reef where there is a group of Garden Eels. These shy eels will quickly retreat in their holes if approached hurriedly so if you require to get a close look you will have to approach slowly and be very patient. After you have checked out the Garden Eels you will work your way along the coral reef and should find a large diversity of fishes, crustaceans, and many others. There are normally a number of "Crown of Thorns" starfish (Acanthaster planci) is a large nocturnal sea star that preys upon coral polyps. The crown-of-thorns gets its name from poisonous thorn-like spines which envelop its body. There are normally a large quantity of Hawkfish on the dive site and they make splendid pictures sitting on top of corals against a lovely blue background.

During my previous dive here we had seventeen Manta Rays which decided to join us for a swim along the reef on a late afternoon dive. It was brilliant. That same day we dove at night and had another 37 Manta Rays swimming along with us. Really a grand encounter. Check out the video that is posted from the night dive at http://blog.stevenwsmeltzer.com/2012/06/28/manta-rays-silent-sentinels-of-the-sea/. This short film will give you a sense of the elegance and grace of these amazing creatures. The dive was dove with Big Island Divers on our previous excursion and they handled us very well. There are a number of other dive operators in the area but make sure to schedule a Manta Ray dive it can be a once in a life-time experience.

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