chazdonaldson
Registered
Dive Shop:
Kohala Divers, LTD.
Kawaihae Shopping Center
P.O. Box 44940
Kawaihae, HI 96743
Phone: (808) 882-7774
Fax: (808) 882-1536
On our most recent trip to the Big Island, we decided that taking the 1-hour plus drive to Kona was just too much of a drag, so we started looking for a dive opportunity on the north end of the island. The first operation I came across in my search was KOHALA Divers, located in Kawaihae, which is a 10-minute drive from Waikoloa. This immediately appealed to us as it meant we didnt have to deal with trying to get into Kona at rush hour. That drive is long and slow enough without the morning commute added, so we were ready to get to try a new location and shop. I didnt see many reviews of the shop, but after two days with Kohala Divers, both the shop and the diving very pleasantly surprised us. I have often felt that the diving on the Big Island was pretty boring, same terrain and same fish, over and over again. Diving out of Kona harbor, no matter who was taking us out, there is not a lot of variety in terrain or animal life unless you take a long boat ride. Right away, when we arrived at Kohala Divers, the staff was extremely interested in finding out what we wanted to see, and what sorts of experiences we wanted to have. The first day we dove with Kohala Divers, I was hooked. The dive sites we visited were quite a bit more interesting than anything I have seen diving out of Kona. The variability of the terrain was incredible. We saw big valleys of coral, cave many swim-through areas for those who dont like caves, huge mounds of lobe coral, and, of course, lava tubes. Unlike the Kona area, diving out of Kawaihae provided refreshingly different terrain, and many fish I have never seen in the Kona area. And, no long boat rides! Day one, we were on the first dive site in 20 minutes. Our first site was called The Dome, and it was a great example of how much more variety was available on the north end of the island. There were big spires of coral and lots of low overhangs for the more shy creatures to hide in. The dive masters (Robin and Gail) were some of the most professional and helpful I have ever encountered. They asked us what we wanted to see, and then made sure we actually saw it. Without keeping us on a short leash, they still made sure everyone saw the thing or critter that was promised (Hairy Hermit crabs, Spotted Eagle Rays, several fish unique to the area like the Black Butterfly). The other sites we visited were just as impressive (The Horseshoe was another awesome reef we visited). As for the equipment, the boat was very nice, not too crowded, and had all the amenities we are used to (including a head, which seems to be getting less common). Because we were diving so close to the harbor, we were able to get two dives in before noon, and then get back home to Waikoloa in 20 minutes for lunch. So, unless you really like long drives and flat dive sites, I would highly recommend driving up to Kawaihae and diving with Kohala Divers. You will be impressed, and come away with a very different picture of what diving in Hawaii is really like, especially if you have only been diving out of Kona.
Kohala Divers, LTD.
Kawaihae Shopping Center
P.O. Box 44940
Kawaihae, HI 96743
Phone: (808) 882-7774
Fax: (808) 882-1536
On our most recent trip to the Big Island, we decided that taking the 1-hour plus drive to Kona was just too much of a drag, so we started looking for a dive opportunity on the north end of the island. The first operation I came across in my search was KOHALA Divers, located in Kawaihae, which is a 10-minute drive from Waikoloa. This immediately appealed to us as it meant we didnt have to deal with trying to get into Kona at rush hour. That drive is long and slow enough without the morning commute added, so we were ready to get to try a new location and shop. I didnt see many reviews of the shop, but after two days with Kohala Divers, both the shop and the diving very pleasantly surprised us. I have often felt that the diving on the Big Island was pretty boring, same terrain and same fish, over and over again. Diving out of Kona harbor, no matter who was taking us out, there is not a lot of variety in terrain or animal life unless you take a long boat ride. Right away, when we arrived at Kohala Divers, the staff was extremely interested in finding out what we wanted to see, and what sorts of experiences we wanted to have. The first day we dove with Kohala Divers, I was hooked. The dive sites we visited were quite a bit more interesting than anything I have seen diving out of Kona. The variability of the terrain was incredible. We saw big valleys of coral, cave many swim-through areas for those who dont like caves, huge mounds of lobe coral, and, of course, lava tubes. Unlike the Kona area, diving out of Kawaihae provided refreshingly different terrain, and many fish I have never seen in the Kona area. And, no long boat rides! Day one, we were on the first dive site in 20 minutes. Our first site was called The Dome, and it was a great example of how much more variety was available on the north end of the island. There were big spires of coral and lots of low overhangs for the more shy creatures to hide in. The dive masters (Robin and Gail) were some of the most professional and helpful I have ever encountered. They asked us what we wanted to see, and then made sure we actually saw it. Without keeping us on a short leash, they still made sure everyone saw the thing or critter that was promised (Hairy Hermit crabs, Spotted Eagle Rays, several fish unique to the area like the Black Butterfly). The other sites we visited were just as impressive (The Horseshoe was another awesome reef we visited). As for the equipment, the boat was very nice, not too crowded, and had all the amenities we are used to (including a head, which seems to be getting less common). Because we were diving so close to the harbor, we were able to get two dives in before noon, and then get back home to Waikoloa in 20 minutes for lunch. So, unless you really like long drives and flat dive sites, I would highly recommend driving up to Kawaihae and diving with Kohala Divers. You will be impressed, and come away with a very different picture of what diving in Hawaii is really like, especially if you have only been diving out of Kona.
