3rd trip to Maui - Looking for a change

[stbg1951]

The last three time's we've been to Maui we've done Molokini four times with ERDA and shore diving at mile marker 14 and Kahekili Beach Park. Looking for something different and was thinking of the cathedrals and the Carthaginian. My son also wants to do some shore dives and a night dive. We're staying at Ka'anapali. There are 10 of us coming and only 3 of us dive. We're trying to schedule diving so we're also with family & friends.

We tried to do the cathedrals twice and were canceled out both times due to lack of divers on the boat, it was only the 3 of us.

Any dive op and/or shore guide suggestions or alternatives to what I've mentioned would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Teamcasa]

Try Kona!

Dave

 

[Charlie99]

Try Extended Horizons for the Cathedrals. They are a 12 passenger boat that leaves from the Mala Ramp in Lahaina (Off Front St just S. of Cannery Mall. Turn at the "Jesus Saves" sign). This makes a lot more sense than driving from Kaanapali to Kihei and then doing the boat trip back to Lanai.

The remains of the Mala Wharf is a different sort of shore dive. Lots of jumbled broken concrete and rebar. Lots of stuff hiding in all of the holes under the broken slabs. Excellent night dive site too.

Black Rock, right in front of the Sheraton is also a good shore dive. Also very popular as a night dive. If you can do an hour or so at 30', then you can hop in on the north (golf course) side of the rock and let the usually southbound current help you on around the rock, and then exit on the beach in front of the Sheraton on the south side.

Honolua Bay, up north a ways, just past MM32 is also a nice shore dive on the West Maui side of the island.

 

[TSandM]

Mala Ramp is my favorite dive on Maui.

If you want to drive south, Ulua Beach, Makena Landing and Ahihi Bay are good shore dives.

Check out shorediving.com for directions, photographs of parking and entry, and dive descriptions.

 

[bobmaggi]

you might want to PM kidspot ( Tim). . . he's the local guide. . he loves Mala, too!!

Lots to see at Mala ramp. . . .Maggi

 

[Wildcard]

Why do you keep going there? There are a couple of other islands here ya know?
For Maui, a couple of ideas, try the back wall of the crater. The inside kinda sucks, the back wall is world class. Have you done the shark tank? Still one of my top three dives anywhere.
Id realy think about another island thou.

 

[adjuster-jd]

What is the entry point at Mala Ramp for shore diving? Do you just walk in on the boat ramp or is there some other place to enter?

 

[KrisB]

What is the entry point at Mala Ramp for shore diving? Do you just walk in on the boat ramp or is there some other place to enter?

Well, there's two ways.

The first one is from the rocky beach-type entry on the south side, the other from the north side, just on the other side of the boat ramp.

The first one is legal and safe from boat traffic (though urchins/slippery rocks may be an issue) and a long surface swim.

The second one requires a swim across the boat channel (illegal and unsafe), though is an "easier" entry and shorter surface swim.

HTH,

-kb

 

[SBP Studios]

you might want to PM kidspot ( Tim). . . he's the local guide. . he loves Mala, too!!

Lots to see at Mala ramp. . . .Maggi

agreed. Tim took us out for our first dives and we had a real good time.

Cant remember the other places he took us but I know Black Rock was one of them. Other than the walk being WAY too far, it was cool.

 

[stbg1951]

Thanks for the the great feedback! I will call Extended Horizons for the Cathedrals.

I'll also pm Tim to see what we can work out.