This dive site is typical of the many sites along the Kona coast. Although I am not sure how it got the name of Lone Tree Arch.
Perhaps at one time there was only one tree standing near the shore….
I am sure the dive master on your boat can come up with a good story…
Lone Tree Arch Rating: 3.27 out of 5
- Visibility – Good, although can get hazy
- Access – Good; boat only and 20 minutes
- Current – variable, minimal to moderate
- Depth to 60 ft / 18 m
- Reef health Hard / Soft Corals – Moderate
- Marine species variety – Good
- Pelagics / Mammals / Turtles / Rays – minimal typically 1 to 3 sightings on a dive
Lone Tree Arch Overview
Lone Tree Arch has lots of healthy hard corals and a good variety of marine life. This is another site where as an underwater photographer you can choose to shoot either wide angle or macro. If you are lucky you may encounter dolphins on this site or even perhaps a Manta
Ray or two swimming along the reef. On our last dive here I just happened to take a shot of my favorite dive buddy and when I looked at the photo after the dive I noticed something in the background. It happened to be a pod of spinner dolphin swimming by in the distance. We could hear them underwater so we knew they were close, but I did not realize that they were that close.
On this site you will find a variety of fishes including Yellowtail Coris, Twospot Lizardfish (they are easy to miss hiding in the sand), Pacific Trumpetfish, varieties of cleaner wrasses,
Rockmover Wrasse, the elusive Flame Angelfish (you need to approach these fish very slowly or they will dash into the coral), Yellow Tangs, and many more. The coral reef is not as colorful as the reefs in warmer more tropical waters, but they are teeming with life. So don’t expect the wide variety of color that comes from soft corals in warmer temperatures, but instead expect to see a wide variety of fish species and many that can be found no where else in the world.
As in all dives I recommend going slowly and take time to appreciate the site. Read other dive site reviews on my blog and see other underwater photographs on my website and follow me on Twitter @ images2inspire. The pool is open…
