Consolidated "Diving in Hawaii" thread
Jan 16, 2006 | 10:08 pm
#1
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Need Maui Snuba recommendation
I already did a search and didn't find anything specific on this. There appear to be a few different snuba operators/tours available in Maui. Can anyone tell me who might be the best?
I'm looking for the best underwater experience, regardless of cost.
Thanks!
I'm looking for the best underwater experience, regardless of cost.
Thanks!
Jan 17, 2006 | 9:46 am
#2
Join Date: May 2001
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Originally Posted by WonderDude
I already did a search and didn't find anything specific on this. There appear to be a few different snuba operators/tours available in Maui. Can anyone tell me who might be the best?
I'm looking for the best underwater experience, regardless of cost.
Thanks!
I'm looking for the best underwater experience, regardless of cost.
Thanks!
Jan 18, 2006 | 10:21 am
#3
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A condo in Kihei.
I saw a couple snuba tours that go to Molokini, including breakfast, lunch and open bar for $125-135. Sounded interesting.
I saw a couple snuba tours that go to Molokini, including breakfast, lunch and open bar for $125-135. Sounded interesting.
Jan 18, 2006 | 6:48 pm
#4
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Originally Posted by WonderDude
A condo in Kihei.
I saw a couple snuba tours that go to Molokini, including breakfast, lunch and open bar for $125-135. Sounded interesting.
I saw a couple snuba tours that go to Molokini, including breakfast, lunch and open bar for $125-135. Sounded interesting.
Jan 18, 2006 | 10:51 pm
#5
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I found an interesting deal on the internet, run by "Aqua Adventures."
Includes boat trip to Molokini, snuba there, then snorkeling in turtle town, plus "Continental breakfast, deli lunch, open bar (beer, wine, mai tais and soda), certified instructors and guided dives, high quality snorkeling and snuba gear, small groups, and personalized service." Wetsuits available for rent, of course. 4.5 hours total (3 hours water time), and it seems like a pretty small boat.
It runs $128.77 per person. My buddy and I can probably give them a run for the money on the beer and mai tais on the way back
Sounds like a fun deal. Any thoughts?
Includes boat trip to Molokini, snuba there, then snorkeling in turtle town, plus "Continental breakfast, deli lunch, open bar (beer, wine, mai tais and soda), certified instructors and guided dives, high quality snorkeling and snuba gear, small groups, and personalized service." Wetsuits available for rent, of course. 4.5 hours total (3 hours water time), and it seems like a pretty small boat.
It runs $128.77 per person. My buddy and I can probably give them a run for the money on the beer and mai tais on the way back
Sounds like a fun deal. Any thoughts?
Mar 16, 2009 | 1:28 pm
#7
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Consolidated "Diving in Hawaii" thread
I'm doing a MR/vacation on UA in April and want to get a few days of sun and diving in, but not sure what is a good place in Hawaii. I can fly into Kona, Kahului, Honolulu, or Lihu'e. What would be the best for diving for a few days? Any diver operator to recommend?
Mar 19, 2009 | 2:16 pm
#8
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We went out with Big Island Divers in Kona to see the Manta rays at night. The Mantas are amazing -- the dive is rated one of the top 5 night dives in the world. If you haven't done it, you probably should. It was like nothing I've ever seen. The guide described some nights as the Battle of Britain, and that's about what it felt like!
I'm not a super experienced diver -- this was my 10th diver overall, and first night dive, and first boat dive. So I can't comment much on BI Divers vs. other outfits, but I thought they did a good job -- which is to say I'd go out with them again.
I'm not a super experienced diver -- this was my 10th diver overall, and first night dive, and first boat dive. So I can't comment much on BI Divers vs. other outfits, but I thought they did a good job -- which is to say I'd go out with them again.
Mar 20, 2009 | 5:24 pm
#9
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Haven't done the Manta dive yet but it's on my list. Concur that it sounds amazing. 
So that might take care of you right there.
Cathedrals on Lanai (you get there from dive shops on Maui) is also listed as a good dive. ^
When my wife and I tried for it in November, the Maui Dive Shop screwed everything up. Dive boat had maintenance issues, no backup boat, not other options and so on. It really was a bad experience, and as a result, I'd tell folks to avoid MDS.
There are other dive shops and dives on Maui (I'm a fan of Molokini Crater's backwall.), so Maui is a possibility for you.
Just remember your 24 hour interval between diving and flying.
Enjoy!
So that might take care of you right there.
Cathedrals on Lanai (you get there from dive shops on Maui) is also listed as a good dive. ^
When my wife and I tried for it in November, the Maui Dive Shop screwed everything up. Dive boat had maintenance issues, no backup boat, not other options and so on. It really was a bad experience, and as a result, I'd tell folks to avoid MDS.
There are other dive shops and dives on Maui (I'm a fan of Molokini Crater's backwall.), so Maui is a possibility for you.
Just remember your 24 hour interval between diving and flying.
Enjoy!
Mar 21, 2009 | 7:38 pm
#10
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Checkout Kona Honu divers one the Big Island. Outstanding dives and service!
http://www.konahonudivers.com/index.shtml
http://www.konahonudivers.com/index.shtml
Mar 22, 2009 | 2:08 pm
#11
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Kona and Jack's Diving Locker for the best all-round diving on the islands
(excellent shore diving on the Puako Reef, kealakekua bay, manta night dives etc). If just looking for n interesting dive site, the wall dives at Niihau (accessible from Kauai, try Seasport Divers in Poipu) is good but they will not take novices and don't go in the winter due to rougher conditions. Most over-rated dive areas are molokini crater in maui, hanauma bay in oahu. Depending on where you've been before, hawaii can be disappointing - it's not a "diving destination", but if going anyway you may want to try out the areas above.
(excellent shore diving on the Puako Reef, kealakekua bay, manta night dives etc). If just looking for n interesting dive site, the wall dives at Niihau (accessible from Kauai, try Seasport Divers in Poipu) is good but they will not take novices and don't go in the winter due to rougher conditions. Most over-rated dive areas are molokini crater in maui, hanauma bay in oahu. Depending on where you've been before, hawaii can be disappointing - it's not a "diving destination", but if going anyway you may want to try out the areas above.
Mar 23, 2009 | 2:54 pm
#12
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If you decide on Maui, go out with Extended Horizons in Lahaina. Great crew, nice boats and always good diving by Lanai.
If you want to dive Molokini, try Ed Robinson's.
If you want to dive Molokini, try Ed Robinson's.
Mar 25, 2009 | 1:17 am
#13
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I took my Open Water cert with Jack's Diving Locker in Kona a few years ago now, and still have very happy memories of the experience. The instructors and customer service were top notch and a lot of the staff from then are still there today. The night dives to see the manta rays still rank among the most impressive dive experiences I've ever had.
Compared to places like Thailand and Egypt, diving in Kona isn't cheap, but my experience was of a very well run operation and I still think it was money well spent. Just typing this makes me want to go back!
Compared to places like Thailand and Egypt, diving in Kona isn't cheap, but my experience was of a very well run operation and I still think it was money well spent. Just typing this makes me want to go back!
Mar 25, 2009 | 3:28 pm
#15
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I've been diving with both Extended Horizons http://www.scubadivemaui.com/ and Mike Severns http://www.mikesevernsdiving.com/index.html in Maui and found them both to be excellent.
I've given this reference before: Scubaboard (the Flyertalk of scuba) has a very active Hawaii board http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/hawaii-ohana/
I've given this reference before: Scubaboard (the Flyertalk of scuba) has a very active Hawaii board http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/hawaii-ohana/