Winter hike to Blacktusk

Snow-covered Blacktusk sitting in the saddle:

Taylor Meadows:

The view to Garibaldi Lake:

Winter hiking:

Garibaldi Lake:

Scuba Diving Maui

A perfect twilight morning - the full moon glowing as the sun barely rises behind the 3000m Haleakalà volcano. Waiting at the boat launch is the specially crafted dive boat of Ed Robinson's Diving Adventure, macadamia nut coffee and several other keen divers all stoked about getting under the calm shores of the south coast of Maui. 20% of Hawaiin fishes are found nowhere else in the world, so a dive here means that you are likely to see things you will not find back home.

Our first dive is at the crescent-moon shaped Molokini Crater, a volcanic crater about 20min offshore. For more information about this area click here. The current is strong and we plan a drift dive. The idea is to let the current do all the work, to relax and look out for the BIG fish - white tipped reef sharks, turtles and rays.

The endemic Hawaiian Dascyllus below:

The endemic Spotfin Scorpionfish below (if you can find it!):

Our second dive was at the wreck of an old WWII landing craft that was now a multi-coloured reef. In rusted out holes you could find hidden fish, eels and spiny urchins.

Diving alongside a fat sea cucumber below:

The endemic Garden Eels below burrow into the sand and then slowly raise their heads out up to 3ft to feed on zooplankton:

If you do find yourself in the lucky situation of being in Maui, take a chance to explore the unique world underwater. I would highly recommend Ed Robinson's Diving Adventures. I was amazed at the level of service they provided: perfectly brewed coffee, knowledgeable dive masters who take the time to show you lots of different sea life, an opportunity to just relax as they take care of eveything! You can find there details here. To find out more about the endemic sea life of Hawaii click here.

*Photos courtesy of Maui Scuba.