Black Cormorant

World's Largest Sea Cave?

This is a view from inside Hui Hui Cave, said to be the largest sea cave in the world. It's a huge, almost-spherical bubble, left over from the volcanic caldera that gave rise to the Poor Knights Islands 10 million years ago. Painted Cave in the California Channel Islands is also said to be the largest sea cave in the world. Having visited both, I am certain that both are exactly the same size.

Kelp With Jellies

Kelp with Jellies at Splendid Arch in the Poor Knights.

Kelp Fields of the Poor Knights

The underwater kelp fields of the Poor Knights Islands are magnificent. The kelp is relatively short and branching: more like the sea palms of Southern California kelp, than like the macrocystis kelp that dominates the kelp forests. But, it is abundant. Underneath the low canopy is a carpet of sessile invertebrates, with fish of many stripes cruising through the shade.

A Tooth Emerges from the Ocean Floor

The Sugarloaf is at right, the Pinnacles behind them, and the Poor Knights Islands to the far left. The storytelling Captain Jack of the dive boat El TIgre told us that Captain Cook called the smaller Sugarloaf and Pinnacles the "Poor Squires". In his tale, Captain Cook named the islands after the shape of a poor knight laid to rest, with his head at right, arms crossed over his chest clasping his sword, and shield over his legs, with his feet pointing toward the arc of the sun: toward the north, in the Southern Hemisphere. So far as I know, there's no evidence against that; although Captain Cook didn't write down why he named them that, so there's also no evidence in favor. All 3 islands, or more precisely groups of islands, are the remnants of the rim of an ancient volcano that exploded a million years or so ago. Scuba diving is possible, under calm conditions, at all 3.

Buller's Shearwater

The Buller's Shearwater breeds only on the Poor Knights Islands. However, it's a Pacific traveler, and is common off the California coast. Here they are in relatively small numbers, in December early in their breeding season, with the smaller Poor Knights Islands (the "Poor Squires") in the background.

Cove Near Matapouri

The west coast of the north island of New Zealand has many lovely coves. We visited in December 2015, for a restful break. This cove is near Matapouri. Families were pouring into town, as the winter school holidays began; but the coves were still mostly empty. Near the horizon are the Poor Knights Islands. They are a marine reserve and a fabulous place for a few dives for snorkels.

Sands Beach

Sands Beach, off Isla Vista, is known mostly for its surfing and for the snowy plovers that nest there.

Smoke on the Water

Smoke from the Zaca Fire drifts over the Channel at sunrise on 1 Aug.  The fire has been burning since 4 July, and has burned over 100 square miles of backcountry.  Over 2000 firefighters continue to attempt to  contain it. We found a light coating of ashes on our dive gear at Painted Cave, at Santa Cruz Island, about 20 miles from the mainland, the next morning.

Wake on a Metal Sea

It's a pleasant ride home after a long day diving at the Channel Islands. This is the wake of the Magic, the 24-ft Radon of Santa Barbara Channelkeepers.

Kelp Forest at Naples Reef

Naples Reef is an underwater pinnacle with the top near 20 feet, surrounded by sand at 40 to 60 feet.  Although the mainland looks distant, it's less than a mile away. Right now, thick kelp covers the reef.  The kelp has been doing well all along the coast this year: perhaps because of cold water, lack of winter storms, or drought on shore and consequent lack of runoff. It'll be interesting to see how the kelp fares as ocean temperatures rise this year.