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Wailea

Wailea is one of those spots where we almost always spot something unusual, even if it feels like a fairly gentle, shallow reef. The main draw for us here is definitely the chance to see Oriental flying gurnards – they’re just so striking when they fan out those fins, like something from another planet. We usually find them shuffling along the sand patches between the coral fingers, often in the late morning. The site itself is a series of shallow coral fingers, averaging around five metres deep. It’s calm, perfect for easing back into things or for newer divers getting their fins wet. Visibility often pushes past 15 metres, giving you a good chance to pick out the smaller stuff like Scarlet wrasse and the vivid Yellow tangs darting around. Go a little further out, towards the deeper edge, and you might catch a glimpse of Giant trevally cruising by or a resident turtle munching on algae. Keep an eye on the sand for Diamond Lizardfish too, they blend in incredibly well. While it’s not a drift dive, we’d suggest a slow pace, really looking into every crevice for dwarf morays or the surprisingly well-camouflaged Blackside hawkfish. It’s a site for relaxed exploration, where the smaller, rarer finds are the real reward.