We have been fortunate to have had a number of adventures here in Hawaii, but thanks to our daughter Micaela, this one should remain quite memorable. Finding out about " Snorkeling with Sharks" off the coast of Hawaii through our adventurous neighbors, Tom and Kieri...Micaela was "all in", So, Kathy, Micaela, and I ventured to the north shore of Oahu where "Shark Adventures" took us about three miles off shore in rough waters and tied up at a morning in about 400 feet of water.
The history is interesting. This is an area where the bottom drops off to deeper ocean and is frequented by large numbers of crabs. Over the years crab boats (similar to our NE lobster boats), would tie up, drop their traps, and haul crabs. Once on the surface they would keep the larger crabs and toss the smaller ones overboard. Sharks learned this over the years and respond to the sound of the diesel engines. They come to the surface for a free crab buffet, and eat the smaller crabs as they are tossed into the Sea...it is like ringing the dinner bell.
So, after tying up, the crew gun the engines a bit and up they come. Soon we could see fins and sharks circling the boat. Next the cage is lowered over the side and in we went,,, with our snorkels and masks. Fortunately, the top of the cage rises about two feet above the surface. Next the cage is drifted about twenty feet away from the boat and evidently the electrical force of the metal cage in salt water produces an electrical field that attracts the sharks as they started circling the cage. (I thought it might be the tender morsels in swim suits and rubber masks!)
They were Galapagos sharks about eight or nine feet long and to my surprise, once in the water one is more in awe of them than afraid of them...off course the bars helped ! Very exciting and exhilarating.
A few days later we snorkeled with Micaela in a bay known to have many, many beautiful fish. It is a common, "must do" tourist destination called Hanouma Bay on the South coast. Kathy and Miceala waded out and began snorkeling...soon, they turned around, came right in and told me they saw a six foot reef shark swimming by (quite unusual in this area)...this time, no cage.
OK....time to go for a hike !
 |
| Hmmm..no crabs...wonder how those people would taste? |
 |
| A little too close for comfort |
 |
| Hope sharks don't jump ! |
 |
| "Keep your hands and feet inside the cage at all times please" |
 |
| Male in foreground female behind...don't they make a nice couple? |
 |
| Nice LITTLE fish at Hunama just before Kathy and Micaela saw the reef shark...time to hike |
 |
| This is a Lava tube where the hot lava burned right through the rock to the ocean...in we go |
 |
| Two funny looking folk at the ocean end of the tube...well one anyway |
 |
| Can you find the Monk Seal resting? |
 |
| Beautiful rock formations |
 |
| Dinner at Haliewa Joe's and Micaela was off to the Mainland ! |
