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I recently had the opportunity to visit the sunny shores of Waikiki and to search out some of the dive spots in the area. After talking to several dive companies including Gabe Scotti at Kaimana Divers my wife and I decided to hit the water with Gabe. All of the companies we contacted seemed to visit the same spots for roughly the same price but it was Gabe's energetic and comfortable style on the phone that steered us in his direction.
For the dives we met Gabe early at a marina across from the Ala Moana ( I butchered the spelling I am sure) Shopping Mall at a very easy to find spot. Gabe showed up early and in a few moments had the tanks lined up waiting for the boat to pull up and onload. The boat itself was a very nice and wide catamaran that several dive companies used at the same time. Even with the 20 odd divers onboard there was enough room for the short ride (15 minutes) to the dive spot where the wrecks of the YO 257 and the San Pedro lay in the deep blue waters off the Waikiki coast.
Gabe had us setup our dive gear while in the marina and had us finish suiting up minutes before we arrived at the site so that we were able to enter the water before the rest of the divers. The boat itself has a stride entry point off the side and a very nice walk up/down stairway at the front so congestion was definately not a problem.
The currents over the wrecks were very strong and we hand-walked the line down the first 25 meters or so until we were within visual of the wreck where we then drifted down. The wrecks were a delight and fun to swim around. There is lots of life from turtles to fish and assorted chunks of coral. The pictures are a small collection of what I actually took and are from the YO 257 as well as the San Pedro and the Sea Tiger wrecks.
Turtle resting on the deck of the San Pedro
Gabe and his buddy on the back of the YO 257
Crew of the Sea Tiger
I must apologize for the quality of the photos, I was using a Canon G7 and a single DS51 strobe. At the depths these wrecks are at there is very little light to work with despite the fairly clear conditions.
The famous red frogfish of the Sea Tiger
The frogfish was the only time I felt crowded on the dive. Gabe had found the fish and brought me over to photograph it when a large gaggle of divers did everything possible to get in my way. Despite the camera/strobe in my hand they swam into the field of the photo, grabbed the railing next to me and eventually pushed between me and the fish at which point I left. As I left the frogfish decided he had enough too and actually floated/swam along with me as he made his escape so in the end the other divers didnt get much opportunity with him as it turns out...
Wrecks and large animals are two of my favorite underwater things to see. Diving with Gabe produced some great memories (and photos) that will be with us a long time. The wrecks are large, in good condition and make for some fun exploration.
Screw of the YO 257
Portside gangway of the Sea Tiger
Huge rudder of the Sea Tiger
I am not sure if everyone is ok penetrating the wrecks but Gabe urged me to go in the wheelhouse of the Sea Tiger which is where this photo comes from...
I live in the far pacific rim and am used to large coral formations etc and was surprised that Hawaii does not have similar growths. The sea floor between the YO and the San Pedro was mostly rocky sand with small hard coral growths. Small eels, starfish, urchins and small fish were the norm.
Crossing the wrecks (very strong current!)
My wife and the best dive partner with a HUGE turtle
Eel in the coral growth
Very cool octopus that Gabe found and was content to sit on my wifes hand (until the strobe went off...). No matter what I did I could not encourage my wife to put it on here head like a set of store bought dreadlocks... but I DID try!!
The 2nd dive of each day was at a very shallow location and on this day we ended up at some huge pipe! I am not sure if stuff comes out or goes in but it is a really big pipe none the less.
Diving with Gabe at Kaimana Divers was fun and I would recommend it to any of my friends. The whole dive was well organized, unhurried and conducted at the level where my wife and I were very comfortable. Gabe did his best to both be present as a guide and to keep his distance and not become a nuisance, a very difficult task and one which he pulled off very well. I would expect that for a new diver or a rusty one he would be a fantastic resource and for an experienced diver a valuable professional local dive resource.
Way to go Gabe! Keep up the good work!
Did you use the slates for the YO/SP briefing?
I had the opportunity to use it prior to an Adv class deep dive and it was great. No confusion or wandering divers, they all knew exactly where to meet to do skills and what the remaining dive plan was!
Good job again, we need more instructors like you!
Drew
Drew.... I DID use the slates and the kids loved em too. Ski, bummer about your ID brosef. Many Mahalos to everyone. I kinda like my job, does it show?
Two thumbs up Gabe! If I ever get settled in to my new job, we'll have to go out! You too Leesa! I haven't gotten wet since.....hmmm....I can't remembe when. Maybe I need a refresher course.
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