Dear Mike,

After a week on the Midway Atoll, we are 'back at it' on the Kona Coast. We had three great dives with the Midway Dive Operation and we have to tell you, "They do a great dive program, with a friendly, well informed, well managed dive operation". 

The boat is quite nice, well maintained, and we were pleased to see how they ran the tours with as many as twenty divers on the first day and as few as 7 on the last day.  We dove twice each day, with a different location chosen by the dive master (and ship captain), so we could get an over-all view of the underwater terrain and underwater inhabitants.  Different sites brought different sea-life, depths, currents and made each dive unique and interesting.

From depths of over 100 ft (to view 'the corsair' lying on the bottom) with a huge (at least 9 ft from wing-tip to wing-tip) sting ray, to a shallow 30 ft site where miniature Hawaiian Lion were found in small pukas (holes) on the shelf. Underwater photographers delighted in macro shots as well as wide-angle scenes, taking pictures of teeny-tiny nudibrancs to fantastic photos of sharks and spinner dolphins.  Although we didn't see any swimming monk seals, I'm sure they saw us... and opted to get out of our way.

Various shark species were seen on almost every dive, from the gigantic tigers to small reef sharks, with Galapagos and black tips often spotted looking us over - then deciding we weren't on their menu - so merely came by for a look-see (in the sea).

We dove on the outer shelf of the reef atoll, having sailed through the mouth where just off-shore the depth became extreme.  Inside the lagoon, the pure white sand glistened brightly, turning the few overhead clouds a glorious green and turquoise.  My wife, Phyllis, snorkeled there one day and loved it.
Each dive we took brought a different view of what was there and one couple even discovered a cowry or two, although spotting shells was difficult at best, as many were covered in coral they had found as camouflage.  I did spot a sea biscuit or two... dead and in perfect condition, however, so there are shells to be found.

The viz was not as clear as I had anticipated, with maximum views no better than 50-80 feet.  I presumed it was simply a few days of choppy seas (and the fine white sand) that brought the underwater visibility to less than expected.  When the seas are flat, the viz improves, I'm sure.
All in all, the tropical fishes were fewer than expected, too, but those seen were often species we do not see at the southern end of the Hawaiian Archipelago, and many were HUGE.  We observed several Hawaiian Groupers that were as black as the ace of spades - and BIG... like three feet long, weighing in at 50 lbs or more.  Giant Ulua (Jacks) were seen on each and every dive, too.  Eels were plentiful, as well, in a variety of families, from spotted morays to snake eels (and everything in between).

So, our trip to Midway was considered a success... and the underwater adventures were the icing on the cake... as the land tours with literally thousands and thousands of albatross nesting and resting (before the fledgling's departure) was absolutely astounding.  These young birds (in our mid-June visit) are almost ready to fly... but not quite, as they jump and spread their gigantic wings in early attempts to soar.  Within a couple-three weeks, they will all have learned (on their own as the adults have long gone) to fly - and they'll be gone - not to return for up to 4-5 years, when they'll migrate back to their birthplace to mate and care for their own little chicks.

How would we describe Midway?  "Awesome" comes to mind.  "Historically educational" seems right, too.  How about "rewarding"?  Yes, that's what Midway is.  Rewarding.  Not too many people take advantage of the opportunity to visit this wonderful destination.  Too bad, too.  More people should take this beautiful site in... on land and under the sea.  Take our word for it... it is worth the time, the bucks, the experience.  It is one you will never, ever forget.  And that's a promise.

Aloha,

Dick Dresie and his wife-mate, Phyllis