going to oahu in a couple weeks

[scubamickey]

Work is making me go to Hawaii so I plan on staying an extra few days to dive. I was thinking about diving with The Oahu Dive Center because they offer military discounts and with the current special they are a lot cheaper than anyone else I can find.

I want to do 2 or 3 boat dives to some nice nice reef and maybe a couple wrecks. I also want to try some shore diving. I have never been shore diving so I'm interested in some easy entry/exit ones. My husband is experienced in shore diving with surf so I won't be alone, but I want to start off easy. I went to shorediving.com and I have a few ideas. Like Shark's Cove and Three Tables. Not sure if Hanauma is worth it. I went snorkeling there years ago and it was nice, but I don't know about diving there.

We'll be the last week in March. How are the waves that time of year?

Are there any dive shops particulary convenient to the shore diving?

Any suggestions or advice?

 

[onfloat]

The waves at Shark's cove and Three Tables will still be fairly big at that time. I wouln't reccomend them for shore diving. You can usually get in at Electric Beach or Makaha Caverns on the West side of the island. Just don't leave anything valuable in your car. There is also the Kewalo pipe at point panic in Honolulu. That's a fairly easy shore dive.

 

[scubamickey]

The waves at Shark's cove and Three Tables will still be fairly big at that time. I wouln't reccomend them for shore diving. You can usually get in at Electric Beach or Makaha Caverns on the West side of the island. Just don't leave anything valuable in your car. There is also the Kewalo pipe at point panic in Honolulu. That's a fairly easy shore dive.

Makaha Caverns were on my list so I'm glad that's doable. Is this theft problem all over the island or just certain locations?

 

[Cacia]

If you leave from Wainea boat harbor, your car will probably be fine. Oahu Dive Center I hear is good. Don't miss the YO257 or the Corsair. If conditions allow, drift Sea Cave or Spitting Caves. I only like Makaha when the viz is nice. When viz is 70 ft or below, personally I would favor wrecks. Usually this time of year our viz is well over 100 ft. We have had a lot of rain. Also, check for incoming tides and you will find clearer water if your schedule is flexible.

 

[alcina]

Check out Lisa's options:
www.oahuscubadivers.com

Here's a recent kudos to her from another SBer
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=124237

 

[scubamickey]

I sent Lisa an email.

Are all the boat dives in Hawaii divemaster led? We don't need a divemaster just the boat and the tanks
Is this one of those locations where your dive time is limited by the air hoover in the group or by some imposed limit like back on the boat with 1000+ psi.

I'm thinking that the boat diving for me is going to be limited to one trip to see something special, if this is the case.

 

[DiamondHeadDiver]

I'd like to throw my hat in the ring.

At Diamond Head Divers we can meet or beat anyone's price for the same service. We own and operate the "Enzo" out of Kewalo Basin Harbor and regularly dive the YO-257, San Pedro and Sea Tiger shipwrecks.

On my boat all of our dives are led by PADI Instructors our imposed limit is 500PSI back on the boat or no 2nd dive. As safety is our primary concern, I won't allow anyone to dive without a guide unless I have personally seen them dive a couple of times and I'm comfortable with their skill level. Anyone who does otherwise around here is a fool. We're not trying to ruin anyone's fun but the simple reality is that most of our divers do not dive regularly, once a year if we're lucky. With that in mind, you have to realize that we honestly do have your best interest at heart and if we don't know you, you must dive with a guide.

I won't underbid my friends and you can't go wrong with Oahu Dive Center, Bob and Mike are great and you won't be disappointed. If you dive with them, chances are I'll get to meet you on my boat anyway.

Thank you for considering us.

Mahalo,

Captain Mike

 

[RICHinNC]

I did Keau and Land of Oz with Ocean Concepts that also do a military discount. To get to their shop, turn off of 99 like you are going to the Arizona Memorial and at the first right take it....go down about a quarter mile and there they are. Now thats the shop....not the dock. You can do a two tank air dive for 65 and nitrox for 85.
Def do Land of Oz.

 

[scubamickey]

I'd like to throw my hat in the ring.

At Diamond Head Divers we can meet or beat anyone's price for the same service. We own and operate the "Enzo" out of Kewalo Basin Harbor and regularly dive the YO-257, San Pedro and Sea Tiger shipwrecks.

On my boat all of our dives are led by PADI Instructors our imposed limit is 500PSI back on the boat or no 2nd dive. As safety is our primary concern, I won't allow anyone to dive without a guide unless I have personally seen them dive a couple of times and I'm comfortable with their skill level. Anyone who does otherwise around here is a fool. We're not trying to ruin anyone's fun but the simple reality is that most of our divers do not dive regularly, once a year if we're lucky. With that in mind, you have to realize that we honestly do have your best interest at heart and if we don't know you, you must dive with a guide.

I won't underbid my friends and you can't go wrong with Oahu Dive Center, Bob and Mike are great and you won't be disappointed. If you dive with them, chances are I'll get to meet you on my boat anyway.

Thank you for considering us.

Mahalo,

Captain Mike

That must be very difficult for you to have to deal with so many tourist divers. They are the main reason that we are not spending our 2 week vacation in Hawaii but instead are going to Key Largo.
We don't have that problem here in Alaska. Every weekend all you'll see are local divers. Something about the tourists not liking to dive in our frigid waters
It really isn't that bad either.

At this point I'm considering several operators and I'll decide who to use based on the dive location. I'd like to save my money for the boat dives and do the deeper wrecks. I can check out my new gear on my own on a shore diver.

Thanks for the info. 500 psi is the standard I use and would expect from any operation.

 

[scubamickey]

Are there any DIR friendly dive shops on Oahu?