Hawaii Dive Resorts?

[Dion]

Hi,

I have never been to Hawaii and I really want to do the manta ray and Molokini dives, can I do both from Maui? Also, I have heard that diving there can be a bit of a pain getting to where the dive boats are, etc. Does anyone know of any "dive resorts" on Maui, that cater to people who want to do lots of diving? Or recommend a conveniently located hotel that is reasonably priced?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Dion

 

[KrisB]

The Kihei Surfside is perfect for location -- it's right next door to the Kihei Boat Ramp where many of the quality dive ops leave from. It's condo-style, and rates can be had for as low as $110/night.

The Manta dive is typically something that happens on the Big Island, but you do occasionally see Mantas at Molokini.

HTH,

 

[kidspot]

Mantas on Maui are unpredictable (I still want to see one ...) but there are several shore dives where they are seen frequently (thousand peaks being one of them - just off the highway north of the tunnel)

Any of the condos/hotels in Kihei will give you close access to lots of shore diving as well as the boat ramp for Molokini.

Have a great time when you come!

Tim

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

The closest thing to a dive resort is the Maui Dive Lodge. I have stayed at the lodge but I prefer other dive operations.

If you stay in Kihei it is not pain at all getting to the boats or to good dive spots. Pick whatever place you want. You can stay up at the west end and also be close to shore diving but boats to Molokini from there is a long long ride. If you stay up there just drive down to Kihei.

 

[Dion]

Thanks for the tips. I think Kihei is where I want to be.

Dion

 

[pacificparadisedivers]

Aloha-

There is a liveaboard on the big island that does the manta ray dive along with unlimited diving in many other spots. It is called the Kona Aggressor. Although they do not do Molokini- they hit many other spots that are world class diving.

Enjoy-

 

[KrisB]

Aloha-

There is a liveaboard on the big island that does the manta ray dive along with unlimited diving in many other spots. It is called the Kona Aggressor. Although they do not do Molokini- they hit many other spots that are world class diving.

Enjoy-

Speaking of which, the general consensus is to *not* do that on your first trip to the islands. There is a lot of culture that you miss out on that way, and the diving is just as good from the shore with the occasional short boat ride.

HTH,

 

[rje634]

We saw 2 mantas while diving the backwall of Molokini this past December, so it is possible to see mantas.

 

[Charlie99]

We saw 2 mantas while diving the backwall of Molokini this past December, so it is possible to see mantas.

No guarantee though. I'd estimate that mantas show up at the most on only about 1 out of 5 Molokini dives. The most common spot is not the backwall, but instead is a manta cleaning station on the inside of the crater, about 50' deep, on the inside edge of Reef's End, inshore from the garden eels.

They also show up frequently on the S. Maui shore dives like Makena Landing/5 Graves/5 Caves and Ulua, and the inshore spots popular for 2nd boat dives, like Red Hill.

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

I've seen more mantas on my shore dives than on molokini dives. If we didn't seen a manta at Ulua we were surprised. At least half our dives at Red Hill produced a manta.

Still I'd rather dive Molokini every day if possible