Most Excellent Shore Diving Reviews of Frank DeCarvalho!

Review Date       AVG       ShoreDiving Site

03/05/2002        3.31      Ko' Olina Resort Oahu, Hawaiian Islands

This site is well worth exploring, mainly for scuba divers. Snorkelers will find the poor visibility close to shore frustrating. Divers must swim out 200 yards before finding clear water worth exploring. Max depth is around 25 feet. One good thing about this site is the health of the reef. There are many reef fish, eels, lobsters, and shells, especially the rare Tiger Cowry. I haven't found any over five inches, but plenty of 4.5s. Please Leave the live ones behind. There is also an airplane engine near the shoreline in about 15 feet of water. Its propellers are bent backward to suggest an impact with the water...1941 perhaps. See if you can find it. I like this site because its a good work out (swimming far offshore) and the sea life is great. I caught a 5 pound spiny here one day in the daytime. Watch out for waves as the rocky shoreline makes it difficult to enter and exit. Best time to dive is during periods of calmness, usually during the winter when swells are predominantly from the north. Check out the many depressions, trenches, and large coral heads, some are five feet tall and 10 feet wide.

01/23/2002        2.94      Kea'au Beach Oahu, Hawaiian Islands

Keaau Beach Park is another excellent dive site located off the beaten path. Despite the difficult entry and exit, this site is unmatched for night diving. Giant parrotfish or "Uhu" are abundant. Their vibrant colors and uncommonly large size make this dive a must for the photographer. About 400 meters from shore there is a large drop-off known as "Keaau Corner." You can swim to the drop-off, but it is long and may prove tiring. Near the drop-off there is a large Canyon that leads back into the reef. At night you may suspect you are entering a cave, but it is actually a huge archway. Many large pelagic fish venture close to shore and divers may spot a school of amberjacks or the occasional and beautiful Rainbow Runner. Count off the road lights to mark your exit location before making your descent.

01/23/2002        2.91      Makua Oahu, Hawaiian Islands

Makua Beach, also known as Pray for Sex Beach by local divers, is off the beaten path. The drive out to the site is pretty long, but well worth your time. You can either enter by the sandy strip of beach or by performing a giant stride from a triangular shaped outcropping located to the left of the beach. The surrounding reef is punctuated with several large trenches, all leading into deeper water. The area is also marked with many small caves and overhangs, all great hiding spots for eels, turtles, lobsters, crabs, and small reef fishes. During the winter months and when surf conditions permit, you may hear the sound of Humpback Whales communicating in the distance. The sound at times becomes so clear you get the feeling that the whales are right next to you. The best time to dive is during high tide and preferably during the morning hours when wind is usually calmer. Water visibility is normally greater than 75 feet. Leave a shore watch to protect your valuables.

01/23/2002        3.31      Waimea Bay (wall) Oahu, Hawaiian Islands

Despite the long surface swim from the entry point, this is an excellent site worth exploring. The many raised "islands" along the shore provide an abundance of sea life to view and photograph. Look carefully within the small rock openings for the elusive Hawaiian Humpback Cowry. Once you make your way down the wall, the shore opens up into a small bay surrounded by rock outcroppings and ledges. The area has many caves and small overhangs. I have seen numerous lobsters hiding within the shadows and several large passing pelagic fish on many occasions. On calm days, the swim out is very relaxing and enjoyable. I love the scenery and beauty of the surrounding hills. Wear your booties when walking over the hot sand to and from the entry point. This is also a very good night diving spot. Showers are available to wash your gear, making this a great place to spend the day. Also look at diving along the opposite side of the bay (Northern side near the church). The point is simply spectacular with depths averaging 50 feet or more. You can thank me later.