curtisleo 0 Posted July 1, 2005 I just booked my trip to Kona, Hawaii. August 22-30. Planning on diving quite a bit there. Can anyone recommend some dive shops there and dive spots? and no, I don't have hot lava-rated dive gear... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWDiver 43 Posted July 2, 2005 We dove with Jack's Dive Locker and had a great time. They are located in the main town back off the main drag. Must do the Manta Ray night dive. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Starbuck 0 Posted July 3, 2005 Make some time for Volcano Nat. Park on the other side of the island... not to be missed. A real adventure walking out onto an active lava flow! Just bring your marshmellows and sticks.. M. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Ruaux 0 Posted July 3, 2005 We used Dive Makai for a couple of days, and had good experiences with them. Bolshie DM asking me if I was "good with my gas" when I wanted to use nitrox notwithstanding. (Yes dear, I am good with my gas, and I'm flying tomorrow reasonably early, so keep your snideness to yourself ) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tom_Kline 143 Posted July 3, 2005 Be aware that going up to see the volcanoes requires an increase in elevation and plan your diving accordingly. We do not want anyone getting bent! Just the road to Southpoint from Kona goes up to about 1000 feet elevation if I remember right. Similar precautions for the other islands. For example, Haleakala (Maui) is about 10,000 feet! Aloha! Tom Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tie 1 Posted July 3, 2005 Be aware that going up to see the volcanoes requires an increase in elevation and plan your diving accordingly. We do not want anyone getting bent! Just the road to Southpoint from Kona goes up to about 1000 feet elevation if I remember right. Similar precautions for the other islands. For example, Haleakala (Maui) is about 10,000 feet! Really? Of course if you want to go up to see the stars at Mauna Kea (observatory at 11,000 ft, summit at 13,000 IIRC), you'll need to do that the night you get in (not after diving). But I didn't realize going to see the volcanoes could be a problem. I've had good experiences with Kona Honu divers. Nice staff, nice boat, good dives, photographer-friendly. I've dived with them for two years and will be back this year. Any tips on shore-diving spots? Place of Refuge seems to be reasonably popular, but I don't even know of any other locations on the west side of the island. Captain Cook's is a fantastic snorkeling spot, and I bet there is good diving where it drops off, but it would be nontrivial to get your dive gear there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tom_Kline 143 Posted July 3, 2005 It all depends on how careful you want to be. I know of one diver who had to drive to Anchorage from Seward after (shallow) diving. There is a 3000 foot pass. He brought along a DAN O2 kit to breath off of. I seem recall that the volcano visitor center was at higher elevation from the contour lines on the map I was using to drive - I did not go beyond the black sand beach (the one east of South Point) that day. BTW when folks fly and dive from float planes, the pilots will fly under 1000 feet after diving as a precaution. This is also an issue for rescues here as all the operational chambers in this area are in Anchorage, and there are lots of mountains between the water bodies. The dive site, which I did from a boat out of Kona, where Capt. Cook was killed as I recall was quite good, if this is what you are referring to. It is very close to shore. Although the vis was not the best due to wind and waves (in Feb), there was a lava tube dive near the distal point of a lava outflow that was one of the most spectacular. In a lava tube cul-de-sac there were 3 moorish idols going around in a circle on vertical plane, as if they were in a clothes drier (at about that speed)! Tom Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
curtisleo 0 Posted August 4, 2005 Just booked 4 days of diving with Jack's diving locker. Planned to go to the national park afterwards. Thanks for all the advice. Will post pictures when I get back. Curtis Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marcelo Krause 1 Posted August 17, 2005 Hi folks, Is December/January a good time to visit Kona? Any change in water temp, viz. or marine life? Thank you, Marcelo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocha 0 Posted August 18, 2005 Marcelo, I will move to Hawaii (Oahu) in November B) , so maybe I will see you there! Sorry, don't know anything about Kona (yet). Luiz Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
caymaniac 0 Posted August 19, 2005 I dove with Jacks Dive Loker a couple of years ago to do the Manta Dive, it's not true that you will see Mantas, its that you might see them.....we didn't. All the best, Caymaniac Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
helenbrunt 0 Posted November 27, 2008 HI I'm looking for info on any active underwater lava flows around the world that are at a depth suitable for underwater filming. Does anyone know of any places other than Hawaii?? Thanks! Helen Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IMSushi 0 Posted November 27, 2008 I dove with Big Island Divers and had a wonderful time. If you like the smaller 6-pack boats, give these guys a try! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
twhi 0 Posted December 8, 2008 Jack's Dive Locker is good. I also like Dive Makai. Don't miss the manta night dive...! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
