Diving in Maui Question

[CaliforniaJoe]

Greetings divers,

My son and I were certified last moth and are planning a 10 day stay in Maui. We are wondering if we should take the advanced open water course while there or should we complete it prior to arriving in Maui? Also, any recommendation for which Dive Op to work with while there? We are looking to sat in South Maui.

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[TSandM]

If you have the opportunity to take the AOW class prior to going, it would be a good idea. The more comfortable you are in the water, and the less you have to manage basic diving at a conscious level, the more you can look around you and enjoy your dives. (In addition, good hovering skills are key to being able to watch interesting critters!) Please also read THIS article on gas management, before you head out to Molokini, because the dive ops are quite willing to take new divers seriously deep out there.

Also, you should know that there is some very good shore diving on Maui, so you don't really have to pay for a boat every day. If you're uncertain about shore diving, Shaka Doug here on SB has a very good reputation for leading entertaining and enjoyable shore dives.

 

[pjhansman]

I took both my OW and AOW in Maui. No regrets at all. Loved the pool dives, which took place in a relatively calm spot in the Pacific Ocean.

To be fair though......most of our trips to Maui are holidays with diving, rather than dive holidays. Gave us something interesting to do as part of the overall Maui adventure.

I'm sure Shaka Doug would be delighted to help you out.

 

[diversteve]

It'll be warmer if you take it in Maui...

+1 for Shaka Doug - for boat options look at B&B Scuba, Ed Robinson's or Mike Severn's. All leave from the Kihei boat ramp.

 

[dwaters]

Welcome aboard!!!!

Good input so far...I agree that taking AOW here is California will greatly improve your skills before you get spoiled in Maui.
I too give Shaka Doug double thumbs up and the three OPs that "diversteve" mentioned are great if your going to be based in south Maui area.
Check out their local forum here: Hawai'i 'Ohana

And please feel free to drop on down to our local forum and join in our fun here:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/Socal/ or NorCal

 

[local76sparky]

I enjoyed our dives with Lahaina Divers. Full boat but plenty of space. I do second the notion about operations taking new divers to deep. I do take responsibility for my diving but I let them take me to 125' and it was my 6th dive... That includes the open water cert dives. Nothing happened but still not smart on anyone's part. Anyways, I don't know if I have heard any bad reports about any of the Maui dive ops.

 

[CaliforniaJoe]

All - Thank you very much for the advice. It will help our planning for our next Maui visit.