malley1717 0 Posted June 19, 2013 Hello all. I have a trip planned with my family coming up in august. I'll be traveling with my 3 siblings and parents, none of whom dive so I'm unfortunately looking to pack as much diving into just a few days. We'll be on Maui for 4 days and the big island for 6. I'll be diving with my D90/Aquatica. Maui: Is the Molokini Crater THE place to go? It seems like this is the place that everyone talks about. Lahaina Divers comes up a lot in what I've read. Good/bad reviews? It seems like more of a cattle boat, and they only give you 72's?? Other names that have come up are Mike Severns or Ed Robinson. I also talked to Extended Horizons, who said they would set me up going to the Cathedrals (Lanai) in the morning and then shore diving in the pm. Where would you try to go if you had one day and who would you try to do it with? Hawaii: I think I'll probably just do the 2 tank manta dive with Jacks Diving Locker. Thoughts? Thanks a lot! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newmanl 15 Posted June 20, 2013 I'm by no means an expert on diving Hawaii, but I'll share what I do know! On Maui, the crater was the place to go - amazing visibility, grey reef sharks hanging in the current off the end in the blue, scores of blue-throated triggerfish in the sun-lit shallows and a sandy floor (on the inside) with garden eels and coral heads filled with Hawaian damselfish (all black with a white smudge). We went with B&B on a boat that takes about 8 or so divers. Great personal attention and I found them very loose (allowing some diving freedom) with competent divers. I'd dive with them again in a heart-beat! Shore diving on Maui was good too, but vis wasn't nearly as good as off-shore. On the Big Island, we only did shore dives - lots to choose from with the most famous being a site called "Two-Step". Visibility was generally better than what we had in Maui from shore. Enjoy your trip! Lee Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diver dave1 23 Posted June 20, 2013 You might consider a Black Water dive on the big island. Its unique but being later, might intrude on your family time for dinner and you need some serious lighting to focus well. Do some searches of this site for the Black water dive and Jack's. There are decent reviews and less decent reviews of Jack's. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UWphotoNewbie 1 Posted August 21, 2013 Just back from the big Island. I can highly recommend Kona Diving Company. I dove a 3-day package with them (2-2tank days plus the 2-tank evening/night manta dive). It was awesome. Lots of big wildlife. Excellent vis. The folks at KDC did everything to make my dives fun and worthwile. Very accomidating of my big camera rig. Great freshwater camera rinse tank. They do everything, set your gear up, take it back and ash/dry it each day. I'm not used to this kind of treatment but I'll say it is nice! Definately do the manta dive. Its my best ever diving experience. I can't imagine anything better than 28 mantas buzzing the tops of your heads? Seriously? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
