My dive buddy and I are going to Kona for the first time next Spring. Don't know where best dive spots are, or what else to expect. We are both Level II Divers. Any ideas about best diving spots would be appreciated. We will be spending 4 days there. Thanks in advance...Scubarok.
Hi, ScubaRok,
Lots of good info in the other posts in this thread! We've been diving on the Kona Coast for around a dozen years--usually twice a year--and we love it. Now, it is not Carib diving and do not expect lots of soft corals: the currents of Hawaii have led to there being mainly hard corals on the reefs.
We used to do boat diving exclusively until about 8 years ago. Then we began doing shore dives and they are now our favorites. One that is close to Kailua is at Pahoehoe--just off Ali'i Drive. It is a fairly easy entry, HOWEVER (and this is a big HOWEVER), for all shore diving off Kona--and especially at Pahoehoe, you need to be aware of tides, surge, and surf. Here is a site that will help you with the first two:
Current Tides for Oahu, Hawaii
As far as surf is concerned, just look toward the horizon: if you see lots of surfers enjoing themselves, you probably should not go shore diving at that site!
The dive shops we have used are Sandwich Isle, Jack's, and Pacific Rim. Beyond that, we have heard good things about Big Island Divers. Jack's does an "Advanced 3-Tank Dive" that we love! But there are prereqs:
Advanced Certification and been diving in the last 6 months or 50 logged dives and have been diving in the last 12 months or 20 logged dives and have dove with Jack's recently
If you qualify, this is a great dive tripi!
One restaurant that we can recommend without hesitation is the Big Island Grill. And, if you want to try that quintessential Hawaiin dish, Loco Moco, this is the place to do it. But be sure to swallow a few fish oil pills first...Loco Moco is not on the cardiologist's list of favorite foods!
However, all the dishes are wonderful there!
Now, there is one more thing you absolutely need to do: buy one of Iz's CDs and play it alot. The late Iz (Israel Kamakawiwo'ole) was a true icon of the Islands and his music is still amongst the favorites on all the Islands. We tend to favor "Facing Future" and the song, Ka Huila Wai, is an absolute favorite. If you become a fan of Iz, you may want to find a CD of from his original group, The Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau.
So, as they say in Hawaii: Aloha Nui Loa! And have a great trip...
joewr...UA MAU KE EA O KA ‘AINA I KA PONO O HAWAI'I...amen to that, brudah...:cool2: