Scuba, Snorkel, and Conservation on the Big Island of Hawaii

The Trip

Gear up, scuba divers and snorkelers, for a most unique scuba experience in Kailua-Kona and surrounding areas on the Big Island of Hawaii. The focus of our trip is scuba diving and snorkeling with manta rays and turtles, marine science, conservation, and volunteer service work -- all embraced by the hospitality of Hawaii Island, Hawaii.

Manta rays of Hawaii:

The inspiration of this trip is the close encounters of the majestic and magnificent resident reef manta ray population (Manta alfredi) that resides in the warm waters near Kona. On one of our days together, we will boat out during the night and visit an area frequented by mantra rays that feed on plankton. The manta ray night dive is a unique and memorable encounter.

Imagine a night dive with several divers sitting on sandy bottom in a circle all shining their dive lights into the center (“the camp fire”), attracting plankton for the mantas to feed on. The beautiful creatures, which can reach 14-foot wingspan or more, will “fly” over our heads, opening their mouths and using the cephalic fins to scoop up their dinner. Dive and travel magazines rate this as one of the world’s best night dives. Of course, we hope to see the mantas, but remember they are wild creatures, and as such nothing can be guaranteed.

Manta Advocates founder, Martina Wing, will be filming us with the manta rays and everyone will take home a custom video of the experience. Since 1991, Manta Advocates have been filming, observing, documenting, and maintaining a vast data base on the Kona manta rays.

Experience island history and snorkeling with turtles:

We will visit an independent, community-based center for research, conservation, and education and a non-profit, located on a snorkeling beach that features protected coral and green and young hawksbill sea turtles. Hawkbills are critically endangered and green sea turtles are threatened.

Marine science: 

We will tour the first-ever rehabilitation facility devoted to the monk seal, and the Natural Energy Laboratory Hawaii Authority (NELHA), which serves as a business incubator, research facility, and economic development agency. It offers the opportunity for organizations using seawater, sunshine, and ingenuity to perform research, engage in conservation and education activities, and produce sustainable commercial products.

The Project

Volunteer conservation and service:

We will visit an ancient Hawaiian watershed and will drive down a hidden road to visit the Kiholo Fishponds. This is an incredible experience. You will see green turtles and fish in ancient Hawaiian fishponds. We will work with local residents to help restore the fishponds by removing invasive plants or do whatever work is needed. In volunteering with The Nature Conservancy, we have the rare opportunity to learn more about Hawaiians and we can contribute to their efforts of sustaining their history and culture.

This is a general description of our outing. It is subject to changes due to weather, dive conditions, logistics and other factors. Please come with an open mind and a sense of adventure!  

Day 1: We will meet at the Kona International Airport at 2:00 p.m. near the baggage collection area. After we drop off the luggage at the house, we will go to Big Island Divers to pick up dive gear for the following day’s dives. Then, we’ll enjoy eating dinner together at the house and getting acquainted. 

Day 2: The first day of snorkeling will be at the popular and historic Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau place of refuge, where dolphins are often sighted in the morning. All water activities will be subject to weather conditions, keeping safety our main goal. We will also visit Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park.

Day 3: We will have an early morning start as we board a boat and make two fun dives. We will see lots of tropical fish, eels, coral reef, and be on the lookout for monk seals and mantas feeding during the day.

Day 4: Today will include an afternoon dive and a night dive with the majestic manta rays. Manta rays are wild animals, so there is no guarantee that we will see them. So put out your good critter karma and help attract these majestic creatures.

Day 5: We will snorkel in the morning at a protected cove that is home to young green turtles. We will get a briefing by a Hawaiian from Kaholo Marine Center. You will have the opportunity to purchase an Hawaiian shave ice.

Day 6: We will have a land-based day, visiting Hawaii’s Marine Mammal Center, a monk seal hospital, and Natural Energy Lab. We’ll picnic at the ocean and have unstructured time in the afternoon.

Day 7: We will possibly shore dive and/or snorkel, do some underwater and beach clean-up and generally relax at the ocean.

Day 8: Today is our service project day, when we will join The Nature Conservancy for a private tour and volunteer work at Kiholi Fishponds. This experience will include a beach walk, snorkel, and visit to turtles that sun themselves on lava rock in a picturesque and historic setting.

Day 9: The last day we will breakfast together and then you will be transported to the airport.

The dive sites are subject to change depending on conditions. We will have a potential of five or more dives during the week. Snorkelers are included on all the boat dive days. We will try to include a hike or two, depending on conditions and time constraints. 

This schedule is subject to change. Being flexible and on “island time” will make this an amazing outing.

Getting There

The trip begins on day one (Saturday) at 2:00 p.m. and ends on day nine (Sunday) after breakfast. Air travel to and from the Kona International Airport will be your responsibility. We will meet at the baggage area of Kona International airport at 2:00 p.m. The trip leaders will pick you up and transport you to our accommodations.

You might want to consider arriving a day or two early in order to guarantee your arrival by the trip's starting time. At the end of the trip we will transport you back to the airport. All other on-trip transportation will be provided. 

Please do not make travel arrangements until the leader has confirmed you as a trip member.

Accommodations and Food

We will be staying in a home with shared bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and an additional outdoor shower. This home, located in Kailua-Kona, is on a hill with beautiful views of the ocean, ample outdoor seating on the lanai, BBQ, and place to hang drying scuba gear. It is a short driving distance to the ocean, restaurants, and dive sites. The beds vary (up to four people in a room) -- from bunk beds, sofa sleeper, two queen, and one king bed -- all with Serta mattresses. Although some may be sleeping on bunk beds, it sure beats camping on the hard ground. And there is a washer/dryer, TV, and Wi-Fi. The home provides a large kitchen and great room for sharing conversation, meals, and dive stories.

All meals except the last dinner are included. The last dinner we will go out to a local restaurant together. We plan to "eat local" foods that are fresh and healthy. Participants should come prepared to experience the eclectic cuisine of a tropical island, prepared in the style of the different cultures, including the original Polynesian peoples who migrated east. In typical Sierra Club fashion, participants will take turns assisting our cook in meal prep and cleanup. The trip price includes meals beginning with dinner on the first day through breakfast on the last day. Vegetarians and gluten-free diets can be easily accommodated.

All breakfasts will be at the house and lunches will be packed to take with us on the day’s activities. Most dinners will also be at the house, with one night on the dive boat and the last night at a local restaurant.

Trip Difficulty

All divers must be certified by a nationally recognized agency. Divers and snorkelers must have DAN (Divers Alert Network) insurance or similar and have dove or had a refresher course within the last six months. To fully appreciate this outing, divers must be in excellent physical condition and have good buoyancy skills. 

Divers should have experience with the following: boat and shore diving with waves, diving in surge, and diving multiple times in one week (as it can be extremely tiring). We recommend a full wetsuit that is 5 mm or thicker. Hawaiian waters can be cold, typically 72-78 degrees.

Some of the diving and snorkeling will be from the shore in beautiful protected bay areas that have minimal surf, under most circumstances. When diving from the boat we will be diving from 35 feet to 100 feet deep.

Equipment and Clothing

It is recommended because of comfort and familiarity, that you bring your own dive gear, wetsuit, BCD, regulator, computer, etc. All gear must have been serviced within the last year. However, if you prefer, Sierra Club will provide gear from Big Island Divers. The dive shop will also supply tanks and weights and air fills. Nitrox is included.

If you haven’t dove in the last six months, it is recommended that you take a refresher course or get out and dive before the trip.

Bring multiple swimsuits, and clothing to dress in layers. It will rain and air temperatures vary. Comfortable walking shoes are a must. The average air temperature in November is 84 degrees, but it can get considerably warmer or cooler. The average rainfall in Kailua-Kona varies, with light rain almost daily and humidity average of 70-85%.

We will provide a first-aid kit and oxygen for any diving-related emergencies, but you should bring defogger, Band-Aids, and Tylenol (or the like) for dealing with the little aggravations of life, as well as any personal medications you require. Please note that all participants must have a current tetanus shot within the past 10 years. This injection is most commonly available from your doctor or at your local public health department for a modest cost.

A full list of needed equipment will be sent to you after you've been accepted onto the trip. If you have questions, please contact the trip leader.

References

• Outing video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QHegriYtDw
• Big Island Divers: https://bigislanddivers.com
• Manta Ray Advocates: http://www.mantarayshawaii.com
• Ke Kai Ola-The Marine Mammal Center: http://www.marinemammalcenter.org
• The Nature Conservancy-Kiholi Fish Ponds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8WhT7qLTe8
• The Marine Mammal Center: http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/what-we-do/ke-kai-ola/
• Friends of Natural Energy Lab Authority Hawaii: http://friendsofnelha.org
• The Nature Conservancy-Kiholi Fishponds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8WhT7qLTe8
• Racing Extinction: http://racingextinction.com
• Snorkeling Guide: http://www.hawaiisnorkelingguide.com/kahaluu_beach_park_snorkeling.html

Conservation

Mantas are found in temperate, subtropical, and tropical waters. Both species are pelagic; M. birostris migrates across open oceans, singly or in groups, while M. alfredi tends to be resident and coastal. They are filter feeders and eat large quantities of zooplankton, which they swallow with their open mouths as they swim. Gestation lasts over a year, producing live pups. Mantas may visit cleaning stations for the removal of parasites. Like whales, they breach, for unknown reasons.

Both species are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Anthropogenic threats include pollution, entanglement in fishing nets, and direct harvesting for their gill rakers for use in Chinese medicine. Their slow reproductive rate exacerbates these threats. They are protected in international waters by the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals, but are more vulnerable closer to shore.

Although international protection for the giant manta ray is still poor, a number of countries have established legal protection for this iconic species in their own waters. For example, manta rays are now legally protected from fishing around Hawaii, Mexico, the Philippines, Ecuador and New Zealand, while the Maldives have a complete export ban on all ray species.

Dive tourism involving manta rays is a growing industry, and can potentially give the giant manta ray more economic value than the short-term profits from fishing. However, the industry needs to be appropriately managed to prevent harm to the giant manta ray or its habitat and to ensure that it remains sustainable.

All of our diving will be in conjunction with Big Island Divers who are known for the conservation efforts.  We are grateful for the encouragement and assistance (and gear) provided by Big Island Divers.