Site Description

Although divers are long familiar with Sunrise Beach as a shore dive, approaching this site by boat eliminates the long and difficult trek to the shoreline, which is surrounded by private property, and the even more difficult climb back up the hill at the end of the dive. Over the years, divers have interacted with the wolf eels on this reef, gradually gaining their confidence. Because the wolf eels are now accustomed to divers, this is an excellent location for aspiring photographers to get good pictures of large marine creatures.

Though this is not a deep dive, marine life is densest at 40-60 fsw. The currents here can be very strong and somewhat unpredictable. Divers visiting this site should be of intermediate skill or better.

Sub-Sea Environment

The substrate at this reef is volcanic rock, formed into small walls and ledges and eventually giving way to a sandy bottom. The entire starfish clan has declared this site its official reunion venue. Orange, white and giant sea cucumbers also gather on the reef to find food in the rapid currents while adding brilliant color to the shadowy backdrop. The main attractions at Sunrise Beach, however, are the giant octopuses and the wolf eels. Other fish species living on the reef include striped perch, buffalo sculpins, flounders, ling cod, kelp greenlings, and painted greenlings. Tube worms and blennies live on the encrusted rock substrate, which is also colored with corals and sponges.