Day 4

With breakfast, we saw a pod of dolphins swimming past us. Beautiful start to the day. Then we visited Kiholo Bay where we saw 8 turtles - some catching some rays on the beach and some swimming by in the shallows. 

Then we headed out for our afternoon and night dives. Dive 1 was on the reef at garden eel cove. It was near sunset so the eels came out to play - I saw 10 eels including 2 that were free swimming! I also saw a male boxfish that is endemic to Hawaii - beautiful colors.

The night dive was nearby and was the much anticipated manta ray dive. They turn on these lights as the sun is setting to attract the plankton that think they are gathering by the setting sun and with the plankton come the manta rays. First there were 3-4 boats of snorkellers. Must have been cold for them as they only wore swimsuits. After they left, we went for our dive. We sat/laid on the sandy bottom and watched as manta rays "flew" by us. I say "flew" because watching them gracefully glide through the water in front of us and above us resembles majestic birds overhead. One manta ray came straight at me but I did not flinch. I held steady and took pictures ;) what an amazing experience!