Molokini and Turtle Arches

We got up at 5:00am today and drove to Maalaea Harbour to take the 7:00am charter to Molokini and Turtle Arches. We were on the "Ocean Odyssey" -- a large catamaran run by the Pacific Whale Foundation. The boat can take 150 passengers and 6 crew. Today we had 100 passengers and 6 crew (all crew were certified life guards and naturalists).

Weather conditions were perfect --- light wind, clear skies, etc.. The trip to Molokini took about 45 minutes. On the way out, the crew served breakfast. Once we got to Molokini, we snorkeled for about an hour. We got in the water around 8:00am --- it was a little chilly, but not too bad. Visibility was at least 75' -- crystal clear water with a lot of fish. My only complaint was the number of snorkelers in the water with giant "pool noodles" --- it was a little irritating.

After Molokini we headed over to Makena Beach to a spot called, "Turtle Arches". When we arrived there were about 20 spinner dolphins about -- they did not seem too thrilled to see the big boat load of snorkelers. However, Derek, Dana and I jumped in the water right away. I put my head in the water and listened --- I could head the dolphins "clicking to each other" as they swam away. We tried very hard to find some turtles but we did not see any --- many people on the boat did see one or two though. After snorkeling we had a BBQ lunch on the boat --- the food was very good. Amazingly, Derek ate two vegie cheeseburgers (he did not realize they were vegetarian until it was too late).

On the cruise back to Maalaea harbour the captain slowed down and we were surrounded by about a dozen large "green turtles". We watched them for about 10 minutes before making the final approach to the harbour. I did manage to get a couple of picture of these turtles.