How to Spot Sea Life in Maui
A colorful Bannerfish looks back at a scuba diver in Lahaina, Hawaii.
The Art of Spotting Maui’s Good Stuff
When I go scuba diving in Maui, I often get asked, “How did you see that?”
This question got me thinking: How do I spot tiny creatures that no one else finds or a camouflaged fish hiding in plain sight?
The more I think about it, the more I realize that four key factors are at work: experience, patience, perspective, and dedication.
Let me explain.
Experience: Scuba Diving Buoyancy Control
Unfortunately, you can’t teach this part of the equation. After logging over 10,000 professional dives, I’m very comfortable underwater, and I maintain a high level of awareness. Compared to a beginner scuba diver, I think less about my technique, less about my buoyancy, and less about my air consumption.
These experience-driven components of scuba diving become second nature to seasoned dive professionals. I achieve neutral buoyancy without much thought. I can estimate how much air I have at any time because I don’t have to focus so much on the basics of diving. My level of underwater experience enables me to pay closer attention to Maui’s marine life, helping me avoid harmful interactions with the surrounding coral reef.
So gain the tools you need to make breathing and swimming underwater second nature. Then you can focus on finding critters. Two of my favorite aspects of teaching beginner scuba diving in Maui are mastering buoyancy control and building confidence underwater. It’s a great gift for new divers to learn excellent buoyancy!
A Scorpionfish sits on the sandy bottom at Airport Beach in Kaanapali.
Patience: Cover Less Area
When you look for a Scorpionfish at Kaanapali’s Airport Beach, you may need to slowly search an area of the reef for several minutes rather than scan over it. It’s important to swim around with purpose, looking for hidden eyes, a slight movement, or a decorative fin.
I’ve noticed that particular species tend to stay in similar environments. For example, if you’ve previously seen a Scorpionfish sitting amongst a specific species of coral, that same type of coral is a great place to start your search.
Thoroughly examining every inch of the reef is the best way to discover new and fascinating sea life. You might search for fifteen minutes without finding anything of interest, but your patience pays off when you suddenly spot a Gold-Lace Nudibranch!
Close-up of a colorful Gold-Lace Nudibranch at Mala Wharf in Lahaina, Hawaii.
Perspective: Shift Your Focus
Changing your perspective is a crucial step in finding the good stuff! The phrase “Can’t see the forest for the trees” applies here. You can miss the sea turtle swimming overhead if you get too lost in each square inch of coral. Conversely, if you only look for big stuff, you will swim right past the nudibranchs!
It’s all about shifting your perspective by re-focusing when needed. Yes, scour the concrete posts during our Mala Wharf Turtle & Shark Scuba Dive, but remember to glance behind you at times because something big and awesome may be nearby! Look into that crevice, let your eyes adjust to the dark, and spend time looking for the perfect nudibranch hiding places. But occasionally glance away, look for the other creatures, too. There is nothing worse than being the only group that missed seeing the reef sharks!
Dedication: Refine Your Approach to the Search
Keep at it. Keep trying. Spend time in the ocean; don’t give up.
People often say, “I never find that stuff,” or “My eyes aren’t good enough.”
I often find that once you’ve found something hard to spot, you’ll keep seeing it over and over again. You learn hiding places and get a feel for what’s around the corner. Before you know it, every dive will surprise you with discoveries!
Happy Diving!