After about a 4 year hiatus of diving I've finally planned a new diving trip to the big island of Hawaii.
Has anyone dove Hawaii and what are your recommendations? I'm traveling with the family but I have reserved 2 days for diving on the trip (plus LOTS of snorkeling time with the family). I won't be bringing a buddy so I'll I will be with a charter cattle boat group and whoever they buddy me with. I'll need an operator who doesn't mind since I'll be diving with my DSLR rig. Of course I understand that I have to sacrifice photo time to stay aware and with the group/divemaster.
Cruising around the web, the manta night dives look amazing! Does anyone know of a 2-tank trip that takes snorkelers as well as divers? This may buy me another day of diving :-)
Also, it looks like most companies offer 2-tank am dives. Do 4-tank days exist or is it not practical given the distances to dive sites?
What operators and sites do you recommend?
Thanks for your help. Any other travel suggestions are welcome. In addition to diving and snorkeling our family (kids 10 and 13) plan to see the volcano, do some hiking and see some cultural sites (Kaloko-Honokohau and Pu'uokohola). We will be 4 nights in Hilo and 7 nights in Kona.