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  1. kingsnwings

    Maui dive op & site suggestions for middle of March

    Did not dive the crater. Dove the Molokini backwall extensively. Dove with humpback whale (extremely lucky), dolphin, whale shark (also lucky), big gray sharks, and some reef sharks. Also so 2 very large frog fish. Of course also saw octopus and some nice big schools of typical Hawaiian fish...
  2. kingsnwings

    Maui dive op & site suggestions for middle of March

    Ed is out of business? I just checked, the website is still up. That would be a shame. I dove out of Kihei with Ed Robinson's Dive Adventures January 2019, really great outfit. We kept asking to go back to Molokini back wall and dive different parts of it. Worked out and saw lots of sharks...
  3. kingsnwings

    Shore Diving from Santa Cruz Island???

    Scorpion anchorage is a dive location (occasionally) visited by the dive boats. The surface swim to the kelp or pinnacles should be very minimal. Should you choose to not take your SCUBA gear, you should still snorkel as there is lots of life in the area. If you are looking to do lots of...
  4. kingsnwings

    Maui Recap: Whaleshark and surface encounters w/ humpbacks

    Thanks for the good info. We only saw the shark's right side unfortunately, so this one is going unnamed (if it didn't already have one).
  5. kingsnwings

    Current Water Temp

    Was diving Maui Jan 19 - 26. Computer read 77 or lower (depth). 5mm suit was fine (I run cold). 3mm suit rented for shore diving (makena, Ulua) and I was fine for ~60-70 minutes at those dives. Snorkeling got cold after 20ish minutes.
  6. kingsnwings

    Maui Recap: Whaleshark and surface encounters w/ humpbacks

    7 dives with Ed Robinson's Diving Adventures (6 @ Molokini backwall/outer reefs). Got lucky and had a long ~4 minute encounter with a whaleshark. Saw the whale shark a 2nd time before the safety stop as it must have done a dive and come back around. 2nd group missed it, but saw humpbacks on the...
  7. kingsnwings

    Manta Mae Liveaboard Review - Komodo

    The preferred dining area is in my picture on the main deck. Both the main deck and upper lounging deck are covered. I would expect a steady rain to soak through the cover and drip though. Due to wind, we ate most of our meals inside. There are 2 tables so 7 people could sit and eat, it wasn't...
  8. kingsnwings

    Manta Mae Liveaboard Review - Komodo

    Breakfast: pancakes, eggs, toast, jam, cereal, milk, juice, fruit Lunch/Dinner: mix of western (pizza, potatoes wedges, doughnuts, steak) and Indo food. With multiple options at every meal. Typically there was a chicken/steak option and a seafood option + noodles + rice + soup + vegetables...
  9. kingsnwings

    Manta Mae Liveaboard Review - Komodo

    Their kids were around 12 and 17. Some dives the parents would dive, and the crew would take the two boys out on the 2nd tender to snorkel. Of course there are dive sites that snorkeling is not allowed. Some dives one parent went snorkeling with the boys. No negative impact on the trip. They...
  10. kingsnwings

    Manta Mae Liveaboard Review - Komodo

    13 hours LAX -> Taiwan, Advil PM helped us sleep a good portion of the flight. 4 hours in Taiwan wasn't bad. Then final 5-6 hours to Bali. Long... but not horrible because we were able to sleep. Stayed in Bali for 6 nights. The Mt Agung eruption closed the airport, which only opened the day...
  11. kingsnwings

    Gili islands first, then Komodo?

    Padang Bai was nice. Dove with Geko Dive, slept at Bloo Lagoon. Both were very nice and recommended. We did 3 local dives that were very easy/beginner friendly. Another 2 dives at the Liberty wreck (1 - 1.5 hour drive from Padang Bai), again easy enough for a beginner. If we had stayed longer I...
  12. kingsnwings

    Manta Mae Liveaboard Review - Komodo

    Liveaboard Manta Mae Location North / Central Komodo. Wind shut down the South Date July 1 - 6, 2019 (5 nights, 6 days, up to 18 dives possible + Komodo hike) The Manta Mae was our first liveaboard, so keep in mind I have no reference to compare to. I would say the boat was 4/5 and the crew...
  13. kingsnwings

    Indonesia Vs. Fiji?

    I just got back from a liveaboard in Komodo around the full moon. Also did the Somosomo Strait (Taveuni Fiji) last year. I would say we experienced stronger current, and significantly more drift diving while in Fiji compared to Komodo. A key difference, in my mind, was screw up in Fiji...
  14. kingsnwings

    Trip Report: Taveuni, Fiji (Taveuni Ocean Sports)

    I never went down near Paradise. If you have plans to do anything else on the island take a look at driving times. Also, and I'm not positive, look at a map of dive sites and compare Paradise to the other shops/hotels... I'm pretty sure it is a long boat ride from Paradise
  15. kingsnwings

    Trip Report: Taveuni, Fiji (Taveuni Ocean Sports)

    The owners put Nakia up for sale when I was there. I think half the island is for sale honestly. I would not let that stop you unless the last couple months of tripadvisor reviews are bad for Nakia or Taveuni Ocean Sports (I'm guessing the reviews are still stellar). That place was paradise and...
  16. kingsnwings

    Best way to dive and experience Fiji?

    Stay at Nakia Eco Resort, Dive with their shop, Taveuni Ocean Sports. The op is top notch and the food is amazing. The owners are great, friendly people who want you to have a memorable time. Check my review. If you need a beach, Coconut Grove was good too.
  17. kingsnwings

    Itza Lodge. Long Caye, Belize Feb 2018

    As crazy as it sounds, there was a couple with us who were there to look at Hat Caye. They believe they can purchase it, build a couple of houses, and turn it into their full time house and a vacation rental / business for snorkelers. Somehow they think: people will make that journey to...
  18. kingsnwings

    Itza Lodge. Long Caye, Belize Feb 2018

    I only wen to itza because it was a last minute trip Huracan was sold out I read Long caye diving is better than Turneffe Hopefully our two reviews here help out future divers. Tripadvisor reviews are just fine for Itza... which is clearly not the case. Word to the wise, follow Stoo's advice...
  19. kingsnwings

    Itza Lodge. Long Caye, Belize. The good, bad and everything else

    There is no AC. Itza switches from solar to generators, which was quite noisy
  20. kingsnwings

    Itza Lodge. Long Caye, Belize. The good, bad and everything else

    Itza was using the main dock while Huracan was using the far dock. You are correct, the walk to the main dock isn't very far from Huracan, it would just be a bummer to not be staying directly on the beach like at Itza. Itza could be a really cool place if they got their dive operation in good...
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