Big Island diving opportunities?

[JarrodS]

Heading to the big island tomorrow and bringing our gear for a day or two of diving during our week-long stay.

Are there any good shore dives? What are the best boat sites and which operators should we be contacting?

How is the manta ray night dive? We did the snorkel on a previous trip and I'm honestly not sure a dive would be a better experience (it was amazing, up close, and personal). Anybody done both can comment?

If you have fave snorkel sites feel free to mention those too.

Thanks!!

 

[grantwiscour]

The Manta Dive is a must do. All the dive ops on Big Island are good. Kona Honu has some "extended" trips that go south towards Miloli'i. Most of the diving on BI can be done from shore.

Two-Step is very popular. Start at the first Aloha in blocks you see and head West. When you hit the drop off follow it south. At the second, deep Aloha turn back to the East and you'll end up at the Two Steps.

Pebble at Kona Paradise is very good also. Out, north until the rock cliff, drop down and return south.

Miloli'i at Da Rock on the north end or from the pier are both some of my favorite dives.

If you see Garry tell him I sent you.

 

[NorCalDM]

There is several good shore dives on Puako Road and Blue Wilderness runs out of the General Store on the road and can help you out. They also have a RIP for boat trips but the boat ramp was damaged so not sure if they are running trips yet but if they are it is worth it. Kohala Divers would be my choice if I only had a day for a boat dive. They are out of the Kawaihae Harbor and are the only dive boat in that area so the sites are not crowded. Also for a good snorkel spot or dive is Mahukona Beach Park, it is an old rail head for moving cattle. There is a ladder to get in and out, it can be shallow close in but it opens up and there are still parts of the old rail cars. You do two dives here, one out and to the right and another to the left, I have seen Manta's here. I have done the Manta dive and didn't see any but have seen several on regular dives so don't feel the need to do it again.

 

[Living4Experiences]

+1 for Kona Honu and you must do the manta night dive. IMO, any dive is more fun than snorkeling.

 

[Jaan]

It’s definitely a must do. Way better at the bottom IMO. This is from almost 10 years ago but hopefully gives you some encouragement to go ..

Manta Ray Night Dive, an Experience Not to Be Missed!

The Manta Ray Night Dive in Kona, Hawaii (Big Island) is an experience not to be missed. Scuba diving or snorkeling with manta rays in Hawaii.

freedomtourtravel.com

BTW I remember seeing hundreds of garden eels as we approached the site …. Which was also really cool. But the mantas up close doing barrel rolls was incredible …

 

[DivingLane]

Blue Wilderness was my go to on my last trip for boat dives during day and Manta Ray at night. Their boat went belly up, and is now run by Flipper, under the name Puako Dive Adventures. Find them here: Login • Instagram

 

[Doc Harry]

I saw and hear a lot of whales the last time I did shore diving off Puako

 

[NorCalDM]

Blue Wilderness was my go to on my last trip for boat dives during day and Manta Ray at night. Their boat went belly up, and is now run by Flipper, under the name Puako Dive Adventures. Find them here: Login • Instagram

Flipper is fun to dive with glad to see he kept the boat alive.