Bubbles Below Scuba Charters, Kauai
South Shore Dive Sites

When I think of South Shore diving, I think of turtles. Big Hawaiian green sea turtles reaching 300 pounds. These large graceful reptiles socialize with their young, giving us families of multiple generations to visit underwater. Through long term tagging, studies have shown that there are only 750 adult female green turtles in the population of Hawaii. In 1978 all turtles in Hawaii became protected under the Endangered Species Act. This Act has allowed the population to replenish themselves again, but turtles grow slowly, not reaching sexual maturity till 25 years old. We have over a dozen sites where divers can swim with the turtles of various ages and learn to distinguish between the males and females. We invite you to experience the turtles, the lava tubes, the thick black coral gardens and the friendly fish of the South side with us, Bubbles Below, as your marine guides. 
						Aloha Nui,  
						Linda Marsh & the Team

Turtle Bluffs

This site is an underwater peninsula jutting southward. The lava rifts produce an intricate network of multiple pukas, or holes. Kind-a-like lava condos for invertebrates. On the Bluff itself, the tops on the condos have been rubbed smooth by turtles resting. The turtles show a desire for socializing with one another, as there are usually quite a few relaxing together. There are caves on the peninsula's sides which sharks and u'u (squirrel fish) hide out. Depth range: 40 ft. to 90ft.

Fishbowl

The topography is a series of coves with the largest cove the actual fishbowl. Schools of blue stripe snappers and other species fill the bowl to the brim so divers are immersed in swimming fish. There is an excellent diversity of fish here, like Boar fish, Hawaiian Morwongs, and Anthias. Depth range is from 40 ft. to 80 ft.

The General Store

On March 22, 1892, a ship named the Pele, ramed into an underwater pinnacle, tearing her belly. She sank a half mile later in 84 ft. near the 10 fathom curve line. All this together makes for a very interesting area to dive. There are even lava tubes with black coral trees at the foot of the wreck. Depth range is 45 ft. to 90 ft.

Brennecke's Ledge

The top is 50 ft. with a beautiful lava overhang down to 90 ft. Large black coral trees hang down from the ceiling interspersed with mauve tubastraea coral (cup coral). This unique dive site is best veiwed from the bottom up as the ceiling of the overhang is where the Long nose hawk fish, the sponge crabs, and the Hawaiian Lionfish live as neighbors. Several resident sharks and turtles live here who we visit when we drift through the area.

Pyramid Magic

Lava fingers complimented with many reef fish. Excellent variety of species of fish as well as coral. The magic here is with the Pyramid butterflies and Pennant fish. There can be many of them packed in formation. The depth range is 45 ft. to 80+ ft.

Deep Pinnacle

The top is 90ft. the bottom a remotely visited 200ft. We dive it at a max.of 110ft. This pinnacle becomes a market of activity, with pelagics frequently cruising by. There is a great covering of red sponge which makes photography colorful.

Sheraton Caverns

User-friendly at it's best. This popular dive is a series of lava tubes which produce beautiful images. Visit the lobster rookery which is also a turtle burial site. Depth range is 35ft. to 66ft. There are many, many turtles who reside here along with the night time visitor, the Spanish Dancer nudibranchs. Thus making this a hit as a night dive.

Fast Lanes

Life in the fast lane where cruise-bys happen. This is a series of lava fingers which is home to many turtles, eels, and sea cucumbers with crabs in their mouths. There are 2 different species of black coral trees here. Depth range is from 50ft. to 90ft.

Beach House Arch

A lava arch that is home to turtles and many shells . The depth range is 50ft. to 90ft. This site is usually done as a combo with Fast Lanes.

Oasis Reef

This is the lava pinnacle that the ship, Pele, struck. Depth range is 2ft.to 35ft. The surrounding area is current swept flats which is excellent grounds for grazing species but not for just hanging around. As a result, most fish graze the flats, and then when not in feeding mode, hang out at the pinnacle.

Tortugas

A pretty place to visit with a large resident population of horned helmet shells, as well as turtles. The depth range is 15ft. to 50ft. with alot of coral in the 15ft. range.

Yellow Brick Road

An excellent drift dive along a coral laden path. The path is home to many tropicals as well as an array of invertebrates. The depth range is 30ft. to 50ft.

Amber's Arches

Critters, Critters! Home to many specific great visions. Like a black coral tree decorated with as many as 6 Hawaiian Lionfish at once. Pipefish, wormfish, puffers, frogfish, Anthias and more. And then there's the invertebrate life, Mantis shrimp, ghost shrimp, sponge crabs, yellow hairy hermits, and then there's the sharks and the turtles. Oh don't forget the beautiful tubastraea coral that is covering the ceilings of the arches. Depth range is 45ft.to 80ft.

Shauna's Shelves

See sharks at Shauna's shelves! From turtles to Feather dusterworms, this area has the critters, and the caves. The excellent diversity of life at Amber's can also be seen at Shauna's. Depth range is 40ft. to 70ft. These two dive sites are named after my daughters.

Hale O' Honu (Turtle House)

Another great drift dive or a stationary. Abundance is a key word here. Usually we see sharks, lots of turtles, schooling Heller's barracudas, and quite a few lobster. The depth range is 25ft. to 60ft. This is a rare find.

Shipwrecks

No shipwreck, but a great shallow ledge (25ft. to 50ft.) . We drift this to see the abundance of schooling fish. This is a fishy dive. It's also a great cruise-bye site. This site has a natural Kapu system which means it is weather dependant. But if you get the chance, dive it!

Variety Is Key

There are several other dive sites which have been identified. We don't tend to dive them often for one reason or another. But if we have a request to go there we can accommodate that request depending upon weather and seas. These other sites are as follows; Ice Box, Sculptured reef, Superbowl Sunday, and Kanaka Nui.. For information on dive sites at Mana Crack, Niihau, the East shore and the North shore, please let us know. Interested? Click here for reservations.
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