opalobsidian
Contributor
I just got back from a great trip to Oahu and the Big Island, where I had a wonderful diving experience with ScubaBoard's own Friscuba, also known as Steve.
Steve runs a small, personalized operation called Wanna Dive http://www.wanna-dive-kona.com. He has his own boat and specializes in small groups (6 and under if I recall), a great relief after the cattle boats of Wakiki. We went with him for regular dives and also the famous night time "manta dive", which was an absolute MUST DO!
Unlike the heinous cattle boat dive I endured off Wakiki, Steve allowed us to dive until our tank read 500 (as opposed to 1500 in Wakiki). One of my dives was 80 minutes long, limited more by the fact I was freezing cold than running low on air. WOO HOO!!!
Steve's current DM, Bob, appearance-wise a great combination of the Buddha and Hunter S Thompson, with a personality more in line with the Buddha. He is a patient, meticulous, knowledgable and observant DM, who takes care of his divers without smothering them. He pointed out all kinds of underwater life, writing out the creatures' name on his little underwater pad.
Steve's boat was smaller than the other huge dive boats I saw packed with people, but definately much larger than boats I've taken from Cozumel. It has ample, ample space for the 6 diver groups he takes out, including below deck space and a nice, covered sitting area.
Steve also brought sandwiches and drinks along for our surface interval. Steve's service and what I endured in Wakiki could not have been more different!!! I cannot say enough good about Wanna-Dive!!!
Steve runs a small, personalized operation called Wanna Dive http://www.wanna-dive-kona.com. He has his own boat and specializes in small groups (6 and under if I recall), a great relief after the cattle boats of Wakiki. We went with him for regular dives and also the famous night time "manta dive", which was an absolute MUST DO!
Unlike the heinous cattle boat dive I endured off Wakiki, Steve allowed us to dive until our tank read 500 (as opposed to 1500 in Wakiki). One of my dives was 80 minutes long, limited more by the fact I was freezing cold than running low on air. WOO HOO!!!
Steve's current DM, Bob, appearance-wise a great combination of the Buddha and Hunter S Thompson, with a personality more in line with the Buddha. He is a patient, meticulous, knowledgable and observant DM, who takes care of his divers without smothering them. He pointed out all kinds of underwater life, writing out the creatures' name on his little underwater pad.
Steve's boat was smaller than the other huge dive boats I saw packed with people, but definately much larger than boats I've taken from Cozumel. It has ample, ample space for the 6 diver groups he takes out, including below deck space and a nice, covered sitting area.
Steve also brought sandwiches and drinks along for our surface interval. Steve's service and what I endured in Wakiki could not have been more different!!! I cannot say enough good about Wanna-Dive!!!
