Olivine Pools

Yesterday Bryan and I drove north along the western side of Maui to find the oft-mentioned Olivine Pools.  It's a small series of tide pools right on the ocean's edge, protected by walls of black lava rock.

Two stops after our favorite Ohai Trail, there's a pull-out on the left after a huge dip in the road.  There's a short, steep hike down to the pools.  Expect a little rock scrambling and awkward footing.  Bryan and I both tackled the path in our flip flops, but sturdier shoes wouldn't go unappreciated here.

{a view of the Olivine Pools from the top}

{Bryan on the hike down}

Once we reached the bottom, we explored back along the lava wall.  

The pools here were brackish, and not recommended for swimming, but they were filled with lots of little fish and hermit crabs.

{the remains of a sea bird's lunch}

{checking out some of the tiny tide pools}

{the swimming hole}

{a short shaky video tour of the Olivine Pools}

Yesterday was a very calm day at the Olivine Pools--which is what is recommended for diving in--but I found a photo which shows you what this area can look like when there are bigger swells refreshing the pools:

{photo credit from blog "Moving to Maui"}

The lava rock is HOT here on bare feet, so after a few seconds of arranging our things, planning our entrance and exit routes into the water, I dove right in.

{Bryan getting ready to join me}

Both Bryan and I observed that the water here is especially buoyant.

{I can float!}

After swimming in the pools for a bit, we got out and dried off.  The sun here was especially intense and the water was particularly salty, so we decided to head back into town and stop at my favorite beach, Kapalua Bay for a dip.

Here are some photos from my swim:

{Moorish Idol}

{Butterfly Fish}

{Collector Sea Urchin: they find small objects and cover their bodies with them for added camouflage}

{territorial Damselfish protecting their "nests"}

{a wrasse}

{a Humu Humu--a type of triggerfish}

{more pipsqueak Damselfish}

{and still more Damselfish}

{making angry fish faces}

{my new friend the Collector Sea Urchin}

{mermaiding}

After the beach, Bryan and I got cocktails and pupus at the Westin, followed by dinner at the bar at Kimo's.

Another successful day off on Maui!