DIVING TO THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA TIGER SHIPWRECK

February 8, 2021

At 123ft sits the Sea Tiger Shipwreck off the coast of Honolulu, providing a sanctuary for marine life and playground for divers

We made our way to the Kewalo Basin Harbor in Honolulu to board the Kahala Kai with Hawaii Eco Divers. After a short boat ride, we tied up the boat to the mooring and prepared for our dive at the Sea Tiger Shipwreck.

Exploring all the features of the Sea Tiger Shipwreck.

Let’s Gear Up!

The sun was shining and the excitement was building. We turned on our tanks and checked air, strapped into our BCD’s, put our masks and fins on, and got the OK from the captain. After that, we took our giant stride off the side of the boat and in we went.

The Sea Tiger dive site is known for having a strong current. However, we fortunately didn’t have a strong one to fight today. Once all the divers were in the water, it was time to descend down the line towards the shipwreck. Due to not as clear of visibility, we made sure to descend together.

Exploring the Sea Tiger Shipwreck

We reached the top of the shipwreck around 90-100ft and began our exploration of the wreck, eventually reaching a depth close to 110ft. Multiple types of coral can be spotted growing on the wreck, including the uncommon Black Coral on the underside of the bow.

Flashes of yellow fish mobs swam around us. Some were even showing a playful side, as one came right up close to my mask. I think they were just as curious as we were!

The fish seemed to be used to divers coming around and got up close and personal.

Our shark visitor was the star of the show. We were greeted by a White Tip Reef Shark after crossing over the bow to explore the other side of the wreck. The shark was graceful, as sharks are, and we watched in awe as it glided away along the bottom of the seafloor.

Cheesy Smiles and Mask Lines

Big smiles were painted across divers’ face when returning to the boat. We could tell it was a dive our customers wouldn’t forget. The Sea Tiger is a diver favorite, and often a request. This was my first time diving the wreck, so I could see why it is favored!

Safety First

There was one very important aspect to our day at the wreck, and any day diving. Safety. On deep dives, it is incredibly important to keep an eye on your air and decompression limits. Deep dives cause you to consume more air than usual, require shorter bottom time, and strict safety stops around 15ft.

It is also important to bare in mind any “funny” feelings you may start to have. As a result, this could be a sign of narcosis which can effect your judgement. However, as long as you stay with your buddy and have a safety plan clearly laid out, you are sure to have a fun and safe dive! Plus, how cool is it to go 120ft below the surface?!