MILE 4 - On Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona

This Shore Dive site is: "Mile 4" on Alii Drive, just four miles south of Kailua Village. This interesting Shore Dive spot is easy to find. It's just about 150 yards south of White Sands (or what many call Disappearing Sands). It has a green County Sign that reads: Mile 4. Figures, huh? Park your vehicle on the makai (ocean) side of Alii Drive at the sign, close to the stone wall, as close to the guard rail as possible. The rocky beach has a semi-trail down to the water's edge - only a few feet from the road to the water. Simple. An easier entry is difficult to find. The rock wall along Alii Drive used to be the right height to set up your gear and prepare for your dive. Not any more. It's too tall now, so just set up on the cement/asphalt beside the road where you park your car. When you come out, walk up to your vehicle and gear down. Simply super. Slightly north of center of the rocky beach is a semi-sandy area. Walk into the water there, rinse off your mask, put it on, then put your fins on. I have found this technique easiest, especially when the surf is flat (which it usually is).

The bottom is quite rocky as you go out, so watch for reef fish immediately (even in 3 or 4 feet of water). Humu-humu-nuku-nuku-apua'a (the Reef Triggerfish, which is Hawaii's State Fish) are often seen right at the water's edge. Snorkel out about 50 yards (to conserve air), then dive to the bottom, which will be only 15' to 20' down. Explore the reef there, as it is covered with urchins, flat worms, and tropical fish of many colors. Watch for o'opuhue (Spotted Pufferfish) around this reef. Turn left (south) and cruise along the bottom with the reef on your left. After about 50 yards you'll come to a sandy channel that heads toward shore (with a large rocky outcropping almost blocking the entrance to the channel).

Follow the channel into a crevice in the lava and coral shelf. At the mouth of the sandy channel you often will see a friendly puhiuha (Mustache Conger Eel), especially on night dives. To your right and left, as you head east (or toward shore) you'll see many nooks and pukas (holes) in the walls of the channel. Thoroughly inspect these small and medium holes for cowries, crabs, and occasionally, slipper and spiney lobsters. Within just a few feet you'll see you have come to an archway and darkness will surround you. If you have a light, turn it on. If you don't have a light, simply pause for a moment or two until your eyes become accustomed to the semi-darkness. You'll see directly ahead of you a large cave with a sandy bottom. Venture into it, because the roof of the cave is usually crawling with slipper lobsters and cowries. The cave doesn't go far - only 5' to 8', but it is exciting. Come out slowly so you don't stir up the silt for your Dive Buddy, and swing slightly south again.

Here is another cave, with sunlight filtering in at the far end. Several pukas are inside this lava tube, so check them out. In many you'll see "stinging limu" (Hydroids) that can sting like the dickens if touched by bare skin, so watch it. Many times sponge crabs are sighted in this interesting tube. Continue through the tube until you see the chimney that leads to an opening very near the surface. The bottom of the chimney is about 25' deep, with the opening at less than 10' from the surface. All along the chimney are branch tubes that contain dozens of sea creatures, from lobsters, to kohala (Porcupine Pufferfish), to cleaner shrimp (red and white banded creatures that maintain "cleaner stations" for their sea-neighbors), to sea stars. As you ascend through the chamber's chimney watch for nudibranch (those colorful and delicate sea slugs) that inhabit this area. Often I've sighted small eels in the chimney too, opening and closing their mouths as I passed by. (Actually, eels are nothing to fear - as publicity would have you believe - but more about that in a later "Underwater Thoughts" segment). When you reach the top of the chimney, depending on the tide, you'll find yourself in shallow water - on a flat ledge - that is but a few feet off shore. Watch the surge - because the water is so shallow. If the surf is up, you can get washed into very shallow water. If the surge is minimal (which it usually is), explore that shelf. It is covered with small holes that hold many lobsters, cowries, and crabs. If the surge is kicking up, head straight out away from shore, over the ledge and down to safer depths.

Continue away from shore, over a smooth sandy bottom for about 25 to 50 yards. You'll come upon a coral and rock outcropping that is teeming with reef fishes. You'll see tons of kihikihi (Moorish Idol), awela (Christmas Wrasse), a moa (Spotted Trunkfish) or two, humuhumuhi'ukole (Pinktail Durgon) by the score, and more. Bear north along this mound of stone and coral for about 50 to 75 yards, then head toward shore. You'll be at about 40' - 50' depth when you start your shoreward swing and will slowly climb toward shallower water. By the time you've travelled a short distance you'll start to recognize the same area where you entered the water - a shallow rocky inlet. Surface, and you'll find you are right back where you started, at "Mile Four". Many of the dive shops in Kailua-Kona use this easy entry, easy exit spot for their Introductory Dives for beginner and novice divers, so refrain from taking any of the marine environment home with you. Leave the area as you found it, so everyone can find it, and enjoy it, too. This pristine place is beautiful for the experienced diver. Just imagine what the beginner feels when this is their first dive!

No promises,
but at this site, listen and watch
for Humpback Whales
from mid-December to late April!

IMPORTANT: On this or any dive I suggest, YOU are responsible for your diving. Dive only when you and the conditions are right. If, for any reason, you do not feel competent in making the dive, whether it be from shore or from a boat, DON'T DIVE. I cannot be responsible for your incompetence, heavy weather, tide, or current conditions. Diving is a SAFE and ENJOYABLE sport. Don't dive if you are at all uncomfortable with the conditions or your safety.