Lahaina, Hawaii, United States

Mala Wharf

Mala Wharf is the collapsed remains of a former cargo and passenger pier built in 1922 in front of the small town of Mala just north of Lahaina, Maui. Most of the structure was torn apart by Hurricane Iniki in September 1992 and the broken concrete pilings, decking and substructure now form one of the easiest and most rewarding shore-and-boat dives on the island. The wreckage lies in 7 to 11 metres of water on a flat sand bottom and creates shaded pockets that white tip reef sharks regularly use for daytime resting; sightings of two to six animals are normal. Green sea turtles use the structure as a cleaning station and are extremely habituated. Other regulars include schools of Hawaiian sergeants, needlefish, octopus, scrawled filefish, crocodile snake eels poking out of the sand and the occasional spotted eagle ray cruising past the outer pilings. Currents are usually weak. Boat dives are easier than the long shore swim from the small Mala Ramp.