Feb. 23, 2015---The Dumps and Kameole 3---
 
Yea!!!  Checked the snorkel site for Maui and it said "fair" visibility for the South side.  I'll take that!  The surf was down, too, and the sun was shining most of the time.  It was a fantastic day!  So we headed south---to the Dumps (just past Ahihi).  We had never snorkeled there.  Didn't know about it 2 years ago.  I had read there was a small sandy area for entering at the Dumps, so Ken was willing to try it.  The parking lot is for both Ahihi and The Dumps patrons and it was almost full.  The walk to The Dumps is over a bunch of warn down lava rock.  We even ran into these goats along our way.

 Finally got to the "beach" and walked to the far side where there was a little bit of sand.  Most people were walking in and out without too much problem, but my tender feet made it slow going for me, but boy was it worth it!!!!

 I now have a new favorite place to snorkel on Maui!!!  (the rocky area to cross before getting to the entrance area above.)

 Almost immediately we were met by this fellow.

We actually swam to Ahihi from The Dumps---a pretty good distance, but we're use to snorkeling for hours at a time, so it was fun.  Just outside of Ahihi we saw this guy.  Looked like he was being cleaned by some fishies.  Ahihi's visibility was considerably poorer then The Dumps and all along the way there, so we didn't spend much time there before taking our time going back.

A couple Leatherback Jacks

an idea of the beautiful coral heads

This guy was quite large---larger then any of the parrotfish.  Another new fish for me!  --- maybe an adult Emporer?

a female red lip parrotfish 

A male parrotfish getting cleaned.

Places like this reminded me of the wall at Molikini---and this was free!

lots of schools of fish----and lots and lots of yellow tangs.

good detail of a Black Triggerfish.

part of a school of Blue Trevallies

This very large eel decided to join the Trevallies and swam off with them.  But they swam at me initially to get over the coral---a little spooky having an eel swim up towards you, especially one this size!

Yep, another turtle.

There were lots of these large Peacock Groupers.

close up of an adult yellow Tang.

Lizardfish

Whitebar surgeonfish

Another new one for me!!!  Reticulated Butterflyfish--rare to Hawaii.

Soldierfish



squirrelfish

We spent about 4 hours snorkeling there.   We sat out and dried awhile, then went in search of a late lunch/early dinner.  Of course I had to take some more pictures on the trail out.  Like of these weird wild flowers.

 Really!?  No hiking ?   Originally I thought this was what it was like to get to the Dumps, but there is a pretty nice path there.   Can't imagine anyone leaving the path and hiking the lava.

  Decided on 808 Deli (with coupons for free drinks).  Got a kick out of this bench outside the Kihei 808 Deli.

We took our sandwiches over to Kameole Park 3.  The whales were active around there tonight!  Started off with this guy slapping it's tail several times.  I'm surprised my p and s camera caught it so well.

After eating, we decided to check out the snorkeling there.  I wasn't expecting much, but was really surprised at how good it was there, too.  Not The Dumps by any means, but still quite entertaining.

Milletseed Butterflyfish

School of Ringtail surgeonfish.  There were actually several schools of fish here, even a school of young Jacks.

and some more turtles!

Never seen these big guys before, either.  I believe they're Bone fish.

Ken snorkeling away.

La te da---another Turtle.

Ambon toby.

I noticed the lifeguards left so assumed it was after 5, so shortly after that we got out.  I'm thinking the lifeguards must have left earlier then 5 because I'm sure we waited more then 1 1/2 hours for sunset.

But we were entertained for quite awhile by some active whales.  We watched this group of about 4 whales for quite awhile.

Wondering if this is a baby whale breeching.

Finally sunset came--and several couples asked me to take their pictures.  When someone sees you with an expensive DSLR (which I switched to after snorkeling), you get a lot of people asking you to take their picture.  I don't mind, though.  Usually it starts some interesting conversation.  It was another night to see the green flash.  I got another picture of it, but if you've seen one, you've seen them all. :)

Back at the resort, we still hit the pool and Jacuzzi.  Sure like that the pool is right next to where we park the car.  I hear the South is getting another wave surge, but it's not suppose to be to advisory levels.   It's great to finally get back in the ocean!