Jscatricks:
...I am looking for advise on other equipment that I should consider having for the ocean dives and any other advice being offered for diving in Hawaii or in general. Thank Joe
Big Island: Leeward side
My LDS can rent anything you need for diving but it is pretty pricy. I find most things they carry priced well considering our shipping. I do buy online but only what I cant find here.
Should have boots for shore dives, the little booties work fine. The shore entries arent all lovely sandy beaches. You can pick up cheapies at Wal-Mart and are good for any shore lava walks. Wet Lava is ungodly slippery.
Gloves are good, I use the Ace latex coated palm and finger garden glove, not for warmth (unnecessary) but protection, although nothing works for urchin spines.
Im not finding a small light much use here except for looking into coral, I do carry a UK mini-LED for that. Its good vis and good light overhead. You can rent a more robust light. Even on night dives Ive used just a small light or cheap Pelican flashlight without a problem, again good vis. A big light is nice but you may not want the hassle of carrying one I usually dont unless planning to look into caverns.
Id bring an extra computer battery incase the shops happen to be out of stock. There is no overnight shipping, its called overnight but is 2 days. Possibly another shop on another island would have it overnight but what a hassle to locate simpler to just bring.
A 3ml wetsuit is good, possibly a good investment for future trips. Often visitors dont use one but I do like the contact protection alone for diving here, coral and lava are nasty scratcher gashers. Im acclimated to warm and can live thru a 4 dive day night with a 3ml.
If your Reg is DIN, bring the Yoke adapter. A compass for un-guided shore dives except one place I can think of. Boat diving with your number of dives, Id recommend going with the DM and theyll head you back the right direction.
Id be surprised if all Ops werent pretty similar, but ask to confirm with your OP of choice. Its competitive and Ive never heard any Op is shoddy or dangerous. Ive only done boat dives with Jacks. Jacks list trip sightings on a white board in the back with loads of the usual unmentioned. Youll need to prove certification for boat dives. With few dives you might want to bring your log. They provide tanks and weights.
They will want to load, set up, rinse gear and weight you on the boat.
The dive briefing is informative and usually light entertainment. Their objective is for you to enjoy their paradise, and they will be keeping a sharp but not overbearing lookout. Staff may wear Captain, Instructor and DM hats interchangeably and willing to answer questions and provide assistance, Ive never seen anyone snooty or aloof.
The Manta dive is not to be missed, ask for help to stick on the bottom.
They are relaxed about keeping a close knit group; youll probably see people wandering loosely around looking for critters. As the bulk of their customers are vacation divers expect to see dweebs kicking sand and you, if youre trying to stick like glue to the DM yourself. I just mosey along looking on my own but close enough to whiz over for a special sighting.
With few dives, new to the ocean and how much to see I suggest not bothering to try to take underwater photos on a boat dive unless doing your own buddy pair.
They ask for a general 60 minutes, but dive time is up to you. Ive been down to 100 with them but around 60 is the norm.
If you want more personal or closer attention ask for a DM or instructor for yourself, they really enjoy sharing what they know.
Surge is common, just sway along with the rest of us, relax and enjoy. You ought to schedule boat dives now as they can be fully booked by the time you show up.
If you plan to go up to the observatory warm winter clothing is necessary. For general clothing choose breathable and light weight, Polo shirts and t-shirts are too hot. Dont need much. Aloha attire is standard everywhere for dress-up. Clean and reasonably nice: open collar shirts, walking shorts, sundresses, sleeveless, bare legs. A sweater if in Waimea, never need a sweater along the coast out of doors, probably make it through a seriously air conditioned restaurant or theater. I would have a way to cover up in the sun like a long sleeved shirt if fair skinned, I can torch here with sunscreen and in the shade. Sunscreen and a hat I feel is vital, polarized sunglasses very good.
An umbrella necessary if going to the Hilo side or Volcano, and likely to use this time of year on Kona side. Usually when it rains, its a dounpour. Can get by without a raincoat but nice if hiking some of the volcano.
Can get by with grocery store flip flops (slippahs) outside but a Teva slippah with a thicker sole is good for the wicked thorns. A strap on is good for hiking but have sole extend from toes Im telling you the lava is brutal. People actually wear hiking shoes and sport sneakers but I cant see how they stand it. Almost anything leather in humidity is uncomfortably hot, as are socks.
Wal-Mart, Kmart and Longs have best prices for incidentals and Aloha stuff Hawaiian Print items. Its all the same (Island Heritage) cute little gifts like sticky notes, luggage tags, can coolers, no need to shop around. There are Farmers Markets to find individual produced touristy items, Mac Nuts , coffee (look for 100% Kona) and flowers. For the food goodies CostCo is best price and youll see the same brand and items everywhere.
If youre doing the prepare it yourself; stop at CostCo first before hitting up a grocery store. You might be surprised what the grocery stores are out of and do carry. I feel lucky finding Half and Half, lots of Asian and Portuguese food. Safeway now has considerable organic. Things like Avocado and Mango are generally brought in too expensive labor wise to produce here which is sad but street vendors abound when in season (varieties are seasonal.) White pineapple and Apple bananas are superior; Papayas and Apple bananas are local.
Id carry a map as we use a multitude of names for things and the road names change as you travel down them. Towns are hard to distinguish where beginning and ending in the south. Almost everyone navigates off things like where
used to be or in between the airport and the harbor. I dont know anyone that knows the highway or road numbers and will direct you to head mauka on the Upper Road or stay on the Lower Road. Very little is a straight line as in Hilo is west of Kona but very little of the drive is on a West heading.
Remember youre on Hawaiian time and its a relaxed attitude, I dont recall anything happening on the dot.
A smile and genuine friendliness will get you the same in return. Being nasty will probably get you a blank smile and nowhere. Feel free to ask anyone any where for some assistance (like how do I get to
when on foot).
Many locals are from other countries and may not attempt to speak or can English. If it sounds sorta like English its probably Pidgin and once you get over the odd word choice and order its perfectly understandable.
Take back home the smiles you pick up instead of any lava or coral or Pele will make you eventually return it. Stay off the coral and let the turtles come to you. Dont forget to relax once on the plane and enjoy whatever paradise surrounds you.
