Change in Plans - Now need info for Kona

[clpkab]

I had posted awhile back that I might get the opportunity to go to Oahu in Dec. Well, I'm still coming to Hawaii - but will be in Kona for about a week.

Appreciate any recommendations for dive ops, locations. (I'll still be a fairly newbie diver with probably less than 20 dives by that point-although I'm working on upping my count.) I'm considering doing AOW while there, but worried that weather could wreak havoc with plans as it did for a buddy of mine...

I'll also have a non-diving/non-snorkeling friend with me - any suggestions on sights to see while we're there? (We'll have a rental car for transportation.) It will be the first time either of us have visited the Big Island.

 

[spoolin01]

The lava flow was great fun at night, we were able to get right up to, and on, it. Check the Volcano National Park website to see if close approach is possible. Honaunau/Two Step/Place of Refuge is a great and easy shore dive site, usually other divers there, and often spinner dolphins you can swim with. 20 miles south of Kailua-Kona. While you're down there, stop at Super J's for lau lau or kalua pork, or Island Jake's (??) for BBQ. Rent a kayak from Kona Boys or another shop, and paddle over to Cook's Monument in beautiful Kealekekua Bay. If you're there in the middle of Dec., the Xmas parades are cute. I've gone with Big Island Divers several times and will again - haven't used any of the others (except the Dolphin Dreams dolphin chasing boat). I like their gear rental for shore diving. For sure, for sure, for sure - do the manta night dive. Dec isn't great for fishing, but we've got Ono a couple of times, and skipjack. Oh yeah, forgot the best: go out at night and get a lobster!

 

[Thalassamania]

Ho'okena is a great shore dive. On the right day you can see spinners, black marlin, shortbill spearfish, tiger shark, humpback whale, green turtle, tuna and wahoo. Don't expect to see all on one day, though it has happened. South Point is also a great dive if you don't mind a climb down a reasonable path on a 30 foot cliff.

 

[Tunaman68]

Give Steve at Wanna Dive a call, great OP and they know all the locations. The big island is BIG, be prepared to drive A LOT! We loved Hapuna bay up north for a beach day, beautiful white sand and warm clean water!

We had some great shore dives at Puako which is also up north.

 

[scubamarketing]

So far, I've always gone out with Jack's Diving Locker and have been very impressed. If you're into manta's (who isn't?) one of their staff members is a founder of a manta research foundation, so you can get a lot more in depth information out of him.

A fairly unknown beach is Makalawena. It's a fairly decent hike (with a small cooler and chairs it took us about 45 minutes each way), but it's worth it. Plan half a day for this beach. Beautiful sand, gentle waves, beautiful freshwater ponds in the lava on the shore-side. Everyone I've sent has A) complained about how they didn't take me seriously about the hike being so long and B) thanked me profusely

 

[DPJ]

JDL Manta Dive is a must do. If there is only one dive you make, it is worth it.

 

[clpkab]

Thanks for all the input so far!

Questions about the manta dives - if I've not done a night dive before would I be able to go? (In other words could or should that be my first???)

Also, in some of videos I've seen of manta dive and descriptions read, it appears divers kneel on sand and shine lights up. Is this correct? If so how long do the divers kneel? I found during training dives that trying to stay in that position for extended time usually resulted ina cramp in leg...

 

[Tunaman68]

Yes, it's a simple night dive - the only thing that we found challenging was the sheer number of people in the water the on the night we were there. Don't know if it's that crazy all the time. Once on the bottom, you can sit on your bum, or kneel, just try and group your lights to make one big light to bring the mantas in!!

 

[spoolin01]

Thanks for all the input so far!

Questions about the manta dives - if I've not done a night dive before would I be able to go? (In other words could or should that be my first???)

Also, in some of videos I've seen of manta dive and descriptions read, it appears divers kneel on sand and shine lights up. Is this correct? If so how long do the divers kneel? I found during training dives that trying to stay in that position for extended time usually resulted ina cramp in leg...

I wouldn't hesitate to make the manta dive my first night dive. It's shallow, there are lots of divers and lights, and should be well-led. Often there's a dusk dive preceeding the manta dive, on the same spot - the reef really comes alive at that time of day, and you often see mantas then as well. If you decide you don't like the night dive, a dive guide will get you back to the boat, which is close by.

I recommend making sure you have an extra 10 lbs of lead over what you'd otherwise carry, for the manta dive. You don't want to be anywhere near neutral while sitting or kneeling on the bottom. It's a huge distraction and awkward to be trying to stabilize yourself among the rocks and coral if you're not adequately weighted, and there's any surge at all.

 

[CaptFlyingDutchman]

I would HIGHLY recommend Kona Dive Company (Kona Diving Company - Big Island Scuba Diving at its best.), Kerry is da bomb. Fantastic operation and great boat. Saw a huge pelagic Manta Ray and lots of spinner dolphins. You will never feel like you are on a cattle boat, hot shower, hot tea / coco, and great food. The BROWNIES is AWESOME.