All posts tagged Turtles

Turtle Spotting at Japanese Beach on the North Shore

by Coty on October 22, 2012 in Beaches with 2 Comments

A few weeks ago I had the chance to attend a going away beach party at Japanese Beach on the North Shore. The beach party was great, but the underwater party was even better. I brought along my snorkeling gear and GoPro and decided to do some exploring. What we discovered was beyond what we expected. We thought that we would see one, maybe two, turtles if we were lucky. We were more than lucky on this day.

While snorkeling, Joel and I encountered what seemed like a family of turtles. Joel’s 10-year-old nephew, Isaiah, on the other hand, was struggling with his snorkeling gear and fins. He complained that he couldn’t see any of the turtles. During our hour or so of snorkeling, Joel and I saw at least 15 different turtles. Some of these turtles we small, baby turtles, while others were very large and probably very old turtles. These had to be some of the largest turtles that I’ve ever encountered. It was an amazing feeling to swim alongside these gentle creatures.

As we were swimming back to shore, Isaiah, finally encountered a turtle. It got up close and personal. It freaked him out and he quickly swam to me. As he latched on to my leg, he jumped out of the water exclaiming that he finally saw one and that it was huge! He was stoked.

Photos by Joel Sabugo.

Turtle in the distance.

Turtle Up Close.

A whole turtle.

A turtle’s behind.

A turtle runs away.

Laniakea Beach: A Tourist Favorite for Viewing Turtles

by Coty on February 5, 2012 in Beaches with No comments

There’s one place on Oahu that tourist flock to just to get a glimpse of Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles in their natural habitat. That place is Laniakea Beach on the North Shore of Oahu. Since 1999, honu (Hawaiian word for Hawaii green sea turtle) have been regular visitors to Laniakea Beach.

Malama na Honu (Protect the Turtles) was created in 2007 to protect the sea turtles at Laniakea Beach. Since that time, they have helped to harmlessly identify and tag over 20 different turtles. You can even check out the Malama Na Honu website for profiles of each of these turtles. The first turtle that was tagged using a Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) at Laniakea, is a male, weighs about 166 pounds, is between 35-40 years old, and is named Brutus. Brutus still actively basks ashore at Laniakea.

Laniakea Beach Turtle Spotting. Photo by Coty Gonzales

If I was a turtle then this is what I would be doing most of the day. Photo by Coty Gonzales.

During a recent visit to Laniakea Beach, we spotted three turtles basking in the sun. However, what was most concerning was the obscene amount of tourists that were there to snap photos of the turtles. This was my first time to Lanikea and I was shocked by the number of tourists there crowding the turtles. There was easily 40-50 tourists crowding the shore. Fortunately, there were a couple of Malama na Honu personnel there to provide a perimeter around the turtles so the humans would not get too close. Although Laniakea provides a beautiful backdrop for the abundant turtles, the experience is a bit hampered by the vehicle traffic in the area and the insane amount of people there trying to snap photos with the turtles.

Mark Sneaks Photobombs this photo. I really want just a photo of the turtle! Photo by Coty Gonzales.

The turtle trifecta. Photo by Coty Gonzales.

Malama Na Honu Says Care for the Turtles. Photo by Coty Gonzales.

Don't be surprised when you see this crowd and Laniakea Beach. The tourist love to stop here to take a peek at the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles. Photo by Coty Gonzales.

A Turtle Warning. Photo by Coty Gonzales.

From the sign above, regarding basking Hawaiian sea turtles:

“Green turtles (honu) are native to Hawaii and can be found in shallow coastal waters of our island. The turtles commonly come close to shore to feed on seaweed (limu) growing on the bottom. During recent years, green sea turtles have begun to crawl out on the sand and rocks to bask and rest, primarily during the daylight hours. This basking is a natural behavior special to Hawaiian green sea turtles. Green turtles are a Threatened Species protected by both state and federal law. It is illegal to disturb them in the ocean or on the beach and fines can be imposed for doing so. If you see a green sea turtle basking or sleeping ashore, please do not walk close. They will crawl back into the water when they are ready. Enjoy the beauty of these wonderful creatures, both above and below water. Malama na honu.”

Explorers: Mark DeBlois, Coty Gonzales, and Joel Sabugo.

Directions: Laniakea Beach is located between Haleiwa and Waimea Bay. If you’re driving towards Waimea Bay then Laniakea Beach will be to your left just beyond the guard railing. You will travel about 1.5 miles from Haleiwa on Kamehameha Highway. Just before Pohaku Loa Way, you will notice an increase in traffic, a ton of tourist and surfers crossing the road, and an abundant amount of cars parked on the dirt lot on the right hand side. Park in the makeshift dirt parking lot on the right.

Water.Under: Neat Underwater Video Shot at Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island

by Coty on January 31, 2012 in Beaches with No comments

I recently discovered this video by Austin, Texas based freelance director, David Blue Garcia. The video was shot at Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island. This beach is notorious for being the place where Captain Cook was killed. The short video is visually stunning, featuring underwater views from the bay. Garcia got some excellent shots of reefs, Hawaiian green sea turtles, a wide variety of fish, and dolphins.

To film the underwater video, Garcia used a Canon EOS 7D with a Sigma 8-16mm Lens tucked safely inside an Aquatech water housing. I wish I had access to such equipment!

The video also has an excellent sound track, featuring the song Colours by Hot Chip. Buy now from Amazon or iTunes.

For those of you interested in how Captain Cook met his untimely death, read this excerpt taken from the Coffee Times:

When a boat was discovered missing from the Discovery on February 14, ill feelings escalated. The British fired cannons at canoes in the bay and Cook went ashore with some sailors to try to bring Kalaniopu’u back to the Resolution as a hostage. A crowd had gathered by the water’s edge when, at the far end of the bay, a shot rang out from one of the British boats, and the chief Kalimu, standing in his canoe, was killed. The Hawaiians began to don their war clothing and, when a challenging motion was made toward Cook, he turned and fired his musket. Then his marines fired. When the king’s guards charged, the marines, who had no time to reload, headed for the water. Many of the men, like Cook, could not swim.

The recorded details are not exact, but it is thought that Cook was struck with a club from behind, then stabbed repeatedly with an iron dagger that had been obtained from the British in trade by a chief named Nua.

Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park. Photo by Flcikr Member apasciuto.

Captain Cook Monument at Kealakekua Bay. Photo by Flickr Member apasciuto.

Enjoying a Heineken at Kealakekua Bay. Photo by Flickr Member apasciuto.

Pools at Kealakekua Bay. Photo by Flickr Member apasciuto.

Spinner Dolphins playing around at Kealakekua Bay. Photo by Flickr Member Daniel Parks.

For more photos please visit apasciuto and Daniel Parks on Flickr.

Directions: Kealakekua Bay is accessible by car via Napo’opo’o Beach, located on the eastern shoreline of Kealakekua Bay. You will take Highway 11 from Kailua-Kona and drive south to Napo’opo’o turn-off where you turn right. The bay is approximately 4 miles form the turnoff. Kealakekua Bay is also accessible via Ka’awaloa Cove on the northern end, however, you’ll only be able to access it via boat or private tour.

Papa’iloa Beach: A Playground for Turtles

by Coty on August 24, 2011 in Beaches with 3 Comments

I have a friend that is from Hawaii, but moved away to the mainland for graduate school. He mentioned to me that he had never seen a Hawaiian Sea Turtle in action at the beach while he lived on the islands. I was blown away because they are so numerous … if you know where to look. One of the places on Oahu where you are guaranteed to have an encounter with a turtle is at Papa’iloa Beach in the North Shore town of Haleiwa. The beach is actually tucked away behind residential homes and so it is often the perfect place for a secluded beach experience.

Me and Joel stopped over today to check out Papa’iloa because I’ve been itching to test out my new GoPro Hero HD camera in the water. After testing the timelapse capabilities of the new GoPro (see video below), we decided to go and seek out those turtles. I was hoping to see some turtles and my goodness did I see turtles. We actually found a family of turtles. I counted about 15 Hawaiian Sea Turtles all in one spot of the beach. They were just chillin’,  riding the waves, and having a great time.

Papa’iloa Beach was also a major filming spot for the television show LOST. In fact, take a look of some of the shots below and you’ll probably recognize the background. The beach was used as the official beach camp for LOST – pretty awesome, huh! During this time, Papa’iloa was also known as Police Beach, because it was common for it to be heavily guarded with Honolulu Police Department (HPD) officers during filming.

Explorers: Coty Gonzales and Joel Sabugo.

You'll need to find access Area 269 to find Papa'iloa Beach. Photo by Coty Gonzales.

Just beyond this sign paradise awaits. Photo by Coty Gonzales.

Beautiful view of Papa'iloa Beach. LOST fans wil recognize this as the main beach camp for the stranded Losties. Photo by Coty Gonzales.

 

Joel Stabilizing The Tripod. Photo by Coty Gonzales.

Slippers are the best way to get around the island. Photo by Coty Gonzales.

Rocky Papa'iloa Shoreline. Photo by Coty Gonzales.

 

Hawaiian Sea Turtle Just Chillin. Photo by Joel Sabugo.

 

A Hawaiian Sea Turtle popping up to say hello. Photo by Joel Sabugo.

 

Hanauma Bay: A Great Place For Snorkeling

by Coty on August 17, 2011 in Beaches with 4 Comments

Hanauma Bay (pronounced “ha-na-OO-mah”, in Hawaiian) is one of those places that you must visit when vacationing in Hawaii. Hanauma Bay is located on the southeast coast of the Island of Oʻahu. Hana means ‘bay’ and uma means ‘curve,’ hence the translation of Curved Bay. It’s basically the next door neighbor to Koko Head Crater, remember that place where you can get a crazy good cardio workout?

The bay offers a great place to snorkel while surrounded by a variety of sea creatures in very calm waters. This is probably the reason why it’s so busy with tourists! While snorkeling keep an eye out for honu (Hawaii sea turtles) and the state fish, the humuhumunukunukuapua’a (Reef triggerfish). Also remember that the corals which makes up the bay is a living creature, so try not to step on it. With that in mind, know that the fish love to feed off of the corals and therefore many of the fish can be seen close to the corals.

Hanauma Bay Tips:

  • Admission is $7.50 adults, local residents with a valid ID and kids under 13 are admitted for FREE.
  • Hanauma Bay parking is $1.
  • During the summer, Hanauma Bay is open daily from 6:00a.m. until 7:00p.m.
  • During the winter, Hanauma Bay is open daily from 6:00a.m. until 6:00p.m.
  • Hanauma Bay is always closed on Tuesdays
  • You can rent snorkels at the bay.
  • The trek down to the bay is tiresome and there is no food stands at beach level. However, you can bring food down with you, just remember to throw away your rubbish!
  • Night snorkeling is available on the second Saturday of every month. [Night snorkeling has been discontinued - bummer. Thanks for the tip Penny!].

All photos by Coty Gonzales.