Big Island Vs Maui For Shallow Dive With Snorklers

[mmmbelows]

seems like there is a lot of dives on maui for shore dives. JUST need to decide if I can confirm shallow dives for my snorkelers on the BIG Island and that we can stay shallow. The dive shops I talked to say they decide ON the the day of the dive. So I don't like that as they could pick a 100 foot dive. I like the 30 to 50!

Do your snorkelers have to do this from a tour or can they just go off a beach without a guide? There are places where you can shore dive and they can snorkel at the same place in Maui.

If you search the web for shore diving in Maui you'll get websites that show maps and list the sites, you'll see the same ones over and over again. A lot of these places the snorklers can stay in shallower closer to the shore line and you can dive them going out a little further away from shore but still these dives are all for the most part shallow.

 

[bgsnmky]

We definitely do not need to do a boat trip for the snorkelers or is. We plan on snorkeling a lot off shore

We would like a guide the the divers. Dive master ? I have noticed some places seem to distinguish a dive master vs instructor.

So if we go shore diving either place would want a dive master.

So now it is just where. Big island or Maui.

From a time standpoint I think I prefer the big island. But want shallow dives with dive master. But Maui seems to have more options.

Thoughts.

 

[mmmbelows]

We would like a guide the the divers. Dive master ?

So if we go shore diving either place would want a dive master.

So now it is just where. Big island or Maui.

From a time standpoint I think I prefer the big island. But want shallow dives with dive master. But Maui seems to have more options.

Thoughts.

Check out Shaka Doug if you want the ultimate guided shore diving experience in Maui.

Welcome to Shaka Divers Website!

Watch one of Shaka Divers funniest videos:

 

[Volksfolks]

The mantas are a boat dive either way, it would be a long swim at night to get to them.
Bgsnmky pm me and we can talk.

Dave

 

[bgsnmky]

Check out Shaka Doug if you want the ultimate guided shore diving experience in Maui.

Welcome to Shaka Divers Website!

Watch one of Shaka Divers funniest videos:

FUNNy!!! and I talked to him..great guy.

 

[NorCalMola]

Maui has some great shallow (under 50ft) easy entry shore dives. The boat diving I've done in the BI ranged from 40-80ft. Either way, I think you'd have more control over depth if you hire a private guide for shore dives. Have fun

 

[qwimjim]

Decided to create my own thread so I don't overtake Erics who just started one too but just for Maui!

I am really struggling between these two islands and which one to do a shallow Dive.
A few things about us and the trip:
We are traveling to 3 islands Maui, (4 or 5 nights) Big Island (6 or 7 nights) and then Kauai 6 or 7 nights)

On the BI - We are going to do the Manta Snorkel (or dive)..we are ok just doing the snorkel to be with the other two people. (or are we crazy for not doing the dive)!

On Maui - we are going to Molokini - but were planning on the Redline Raft trip and thought we would just snorkel.

And of course we will snorkel lots of other times.

2 Of us are certified (but NEW - only 3 dives for one person) and 2 are not (it is possible they MIGHT do the discover scuba but not sure - so want to research and plan for them joining us snorkeling)

WE would like to dive at least once while we are there.

I have searched this board to see if people like Maui or BI better for shallow dives but most posts seemed old or I didn't search right.

Looking at fitting in the dive in either Maui or BI. (as I have heard Kauai is not as good except for the Niihau island and I don't want to see sharks! and heard you have a good chance).

Both are packed agenda's so it isn't like it is easier to dive in one location vs the other as far as time.
Both I will have to watch the altitude.
Maui mainly once flying out..(I was trying to have 24 hours before flying - even if shallow).
Big Island - need to watch the crossing over the island and doing some hiking etc.

So trying to determine if there is something else that can help push me to dive at one island vs another.

- Do you believe that one island is better for Shallow dives vs another.
(I had someone on TripAdvisor who lives on the BI - say that she thought that shallow dives were not as good as the deeper dives on the BI).
- If you could just dive one place - suggestions?
- shore or boat trip?
- operators that you would suggest
- or I have read on here about hiring an instructor/dive master etc.

We are staying on Maui - Upcountry 1 night and traveling then to West area near Kapalua

BI as of now we are staying Kailua Kona but am trying to move up north to Kohala (but probably won't due to not getting timeshare).

(Sorry if rambling)

 

[bgsnmky]

Maui has some great shallow (under 50ft) easy entry shore dives. The boat diving I've done in the BI ranged from 40-80ft. Either way, I think you'd have more control over depth if you hire a private guide for shore dives. Have fun

Thanks ...how is the best way to hire a private guide. Do you mean though a shop.

I think this is what we decided.

We are going to look for a shop/private guide west maui to save on driving. Since we are saying in Kahana..I will check with Tiny bubbles, Maui Divers and Lahaina and anyone else?

On the BI same thing need probably a private diver / boat that can just take 4 of us or a shore dive. I will call Kahala Divers. Any other suggestios.

Thanks guys. (but the way loved Shaka Doug..just thinking to save on Driving to stay west.

 

[bgsnmky]

for some reason I didn't see your replay?

 

[bgsnmky]

The mantas are a boat dive either way, it would be a long swim at night to get to them.
Bgsnmky pm me and we can talk.

Dave

Hi Dave...I went t profile to see about sending a PM but wasn't sure how..hopefully you got my note.