April on Maui

[DiveMaven]

My husband and I are heading to Maui for 6 short days in April for a quick spring break trip. We're staying on Kaanapali Beach, and normally we dive with Lahaina Divers out of Lahaina because it's easy and close to drive to. However, BECAUSE OF TIM AND AL, I think we're going to bite the bullet and book at least 2 charters with B&B in Kihei. :10:

Actually, it isn't all their fault we're going to do this. We just got back from a week on the Nekton Pilot in Belize, and after enjoying such a wonderful experience, wanted to continue that feeling in Maui and B&B seemed to fit the bill. From everything I've read on Scubaboard, B&B lets you dive your tanks (for the most part) and provides great customer service....sounds perfect to me....except for the getting up so danged early to catch the boat. eyebrow

My only complaint would be that B&B's website isn't complete. I can't really find information about how they choose their dive sites, what they charge, how far in advance I should book, etc., etc.....but hopefully an e-mail to them should answer all my questions in short order.

Thanks for the recommendation guys, I'll let you know how it turns out for us.

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

Tim and I are usually a bad influance on people but I think this time you'll be happy you listend to us.

They don't have much of a website that's for sure. They always go out to Molokini and they look at conditions and pick a spot when they're there. If the backwall is doable they'll do it, if not, they won't. They're very honest about what they do there, no lies about doing the backwall before you leave and then perhaps doing a dive that isn't safe that day or disappointing you on the spot. I love all the dives out there although the backwall is my favorite, still, it's always fun.

Prices are 109 I think but don't trust me on that. I'm not really certain. It's average for Maui though.

April is the busiest month so you really shouldn't have to book way in advance but it never helps. I might show up with a dozen or so friends in tow and trust me, their boat will be full

Shore diving is usually fantastic in April. You'll have a blast.

 

[DiveMaven]

Thanks Al, I think you and Tim are likely right on with this one! Since we're going during one of the spring break weeks, I'll likely call a month in advance to book our spots. I'd rather make them turn a bunch of pages in their reservations book than miss out because I waited too long.

I'm already impressed because I e-mailed them before I went to work this morning and when I got home they had already replied with all the info we needed. Yes, the rate is $109 plus tax, which is more than competitive.

 

[steveinathens]

Definately make a trip over to Lanai to dive some of the sites over there as well, even if just one day...

 

[DiveMaven]

Thanks Steve, we love diving Lanai and will definitely be doing a couple of charters there. I think we're going to book 2 charters with B&B to dive Molokini and 2 charters with Lahaina Divers to dive Lanai. We only get 4 dive days on this trip, so will do a charter every morning and if conditions are okay, we'll do some shore diving in the afternoon.

 

[Charlie99]

we are going to book 2 charters with B&B to dive Molokini and 2 charters with Lahaina Divers to dive Lanai.

I recommend that you try Extended Horizons for at least one of the trips to Lanai. They depart from Mala ramp in Lahaina. 12 passenger boat about 40' long. Very convenient to Kaanapali.

 

[DiveMaven]

Thanks Charlie99, but we prefer Lahaina Divers (LD) to Extended Horizons. We've found that not only are the dive profiles for both ops the same, but Extended Horizons is quite a bit more expensive (we get 10% off LD's already lower charter prices). In addition, I have sea sickness problems (wear a patch) and really like the feel of the big 46' Newtons as we're crossing to Lanai.

LD is who we've done our dive training with (OW and AOW) and who we dive with most of the time when we're on Maui. Lahaina is close to Kaanapali (where we always stay), and we know the DM's pretty well so we always have exceptional service and fun on the charters. We also don't mind more divers on the boats since they rarely feel crowded, and honestly, we've rarely had a full boat on a morning charter anyway.

We're just interested in diving some new sites on this trip and having a little more bottom time in Molokini Crater than LD offers because of their tight schedule and distance to port. B&B sounds like it's going to fit the bill perfectly, and even though I'm going to hate getting up super early to be at the dock at 6am, I think it'll be worth it.

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

Well they're a couple of hours behind mainland time so it won't feel like getting up early and you'll be done by 10

 

[k8brandt]

Bruce and I are heading to Maui in 15 days, also staying at Ka'anapali. We have contacted B&B (from SB recommendations) and received quick replys from them. We will primarily be using them, and Extended Horizons for the Lanai trip. We will let you know how it went when we get back.

 

[steveinathens]

According to the Extended Horizon's website , their boat is a 36' not 40', and the AuAu channel can get quite rough ( as it was today ), so I'd recommend doing Lanai with an outfit with a larger boat such as Lahaina divers or Maui Dive Shop. I use MDS and can HIGHLY recommend them...