The Conch Shell: What It's About The practice of blowing the conch shell, or "p'u", dates back to the ancient past and continues in many present-day traditions in Hawai’i. The popularity of the Triton's trumpet is due as much to…
Every year SNUBA International likes to extend a special thank you to a select operator for their exemplary performance. Evaluation is based on guest comments, Guide professionalism, tour quality, innovation and overall commitment to the SNUBA program. For 2013 we recognize…
SNUBA: No Certification Needed! Anytime you join one of our fun days on the water, whether heading out with us on the Four Winds II Maui Molokini Snorkel or on the Maui Magic Dolphin Discovery, you should consider the SNUBA…
The Hawaiian monk seal is an endangered species that is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands andis one of two remaining monk seal species; the other being the Mediterranean monk seal. The Hawaiian name is ʻIlio-holo-i-ka-uaua, or "dog that runs in…
Waterspouts fall into two categories: “fair weather” and tornadic waterspouts. Tornadic waterspouts are tornadoes that form over water, or move from land to water. They have the same characteristics as a land tornado and are usually associated with severe thunderstorms.…
Rainbows are optical illusions that result from the sun's rays shining through moisture in the atmosphere. A full rainbow is actually a complete circle, but from the ground we see only part of it. Perhaps under the right conditions, you…
Frogfish When you join us for a snorkel tour to Molokini crater, Coral Gardens or elsewhere on either the Maui Magic or the Four Winds II, you never know what you might encounter! This very rare shot of a Frogfish…
Safety First! As our Holiday season is upon us, the number of Visitors to the islands is up .... welcome, everyone!!! When joining a snorkel tour from a boat, the Captain and Crew are there to watch out for you…
Molokini Crater is the tiny island located about 6 miles off the coast between Maui and the island of Kahoolawe. Since 1977 it has become both an Underwater Marine Reserve and a Marine Bird Sanctuary and enjoys the governmental protections…
Olowalu has a very extensive reef bed, ribboned with sand channels running through it and the fish life her is quite extensive. There are also two turtle cleaning stations in this area , which particularly assures turtle sightings. Turtle cleaning…
Humpback Whale Season on Maui Every winter, when storms sweep through the North Pacific and the ocean gets particularly chilly, humpback whales head south—specifically to the warm waters of Hawaii's Au’Au Channel alongside Maui. And if you're hoping to catch…
Creatures that Live Under the Sea Among the many things you will see on a snorkeling tour to Molokini Crater or elsewhere from Maui, the Red Pencil Urchin is a very easy to see "bright spot"! They tend to remain in…
Hihimanu “Magnificent’ or “Elegant" Bird The Spotted Eagle Ray can be found in shallow coastal waters and bays, in depths down to 260 ft. They can be found globally in tropical regions, including the Gulf of Mexico, Hawaii, Atlantic Africa,…
There are over 80 species of surgeonfish worldwide with 25 of these varieties living in Hawaiian waters. Although they come in many different color variations, they all share the same basic structure. The name “surgeonfish” comes from their hard spines…
We Love Monk Seals! The Hawaiian Monk Seal haul themselves to the warm, sunny beaches of Hawaii to rest. Exhausted after a night of hunting, they often sleep for and entire day in the sand just above the surf, then get…
Bottlenose Dolphins The bottlenose dolphin is one of the most common of the dolphin species. They hang out in warm waters and are a very social animal. The can grow to be anywhere from 6-13 ft. and weigh 330 -…
SNUBA with the Four Winds II or Maui Magic We have a great dive option on both of the boats called SNUBA. Anyone that has ever wanted to dive but hasn't had the opportunity, or certified diver that wants an easy…
The Northern Pacific Humpback Whales have started to return to the Hawaiian waters. Both the Maui Magic and the Four Winds had their first big show of the season on their way out to Molokini Crater this morning In fact,…
Black Durgoen One of the most common fish at our snorkel sites is the Black Durgeon, a fish in the Trigger family. The Hawaiian name for this fish is Hu-mu hu-mu 'e-le-'e-le. It's said that the fish is very oily and not good to…
The giant manta, aka Pacific manta, is one of the largest of the rays and are closely related to sharks. These harmless, majestic creatures have short tails and no stinging spines. They are very acrobatic and are able to leap high…