Headed to Hawii for 10 days in Sept.

[socaldiver65]

I need Help trying to pick the best places to dive while in Hawii for 10 days in Sept. I have never been to Hawii so I don't know what to expect. I will be staying in Honolulu "O'ahu" for 3 days. Then getting on a cruise ship and doing a little island hopping. Our first stop is at Hilo "The Big Island" for a 1 day, then were off to Kahululi "Maui" for 2 days. I was told to try to do a night dive in Maui to swim with manta rays. After Maui we are off to Kona "The Big Island" for a 1 day , then were off to Nawilliwilli "Kaua'i" for 2 days. Then were headed back to O'ahu to end our trip.
I will be traveling with my wife who doesn't dive and my 10 month old son. I will being diving aleast 2x maybe 3 if I can fit in a night dive. I will try to snorkel every chance I get as well. So if any one has any advise on a specific island to dive or snorkel at I would be so thankfull.

thanks in advance

 

[TSandM]

I would highly recommend contacting Kidspot (Tim) on Maui for some advice on shore diving there, or Charlie99. Both of them are locals, and both of them were very helpful and friendly to me and my husband during our recent visit.

 

[dannobee]

I just did the NCL Pride of America cruise which did the same ports. I dove Kona, Maui, and Kauai. We used the ship's shore excursion for two dives on Kona and the diving was so-so. Maui diving was with Mike Severns and was great. Kauai diving was one night dive with a ba_diving buddy (bay area, ca) who lives there. Of the three spots I'd say Molokini crater on Maui was best, and the wreck dive off of Maui was second best. At Molokini crater we were at 100ft and could clearly see the boat right above us. Vis was 180ft that day. The night shore dive off of Koloa landing (Kauai) was nice, and we heard the whales singing (I even captured it on my video camera, whose u/w microphone has been otherwise useless up to this point). Kona diving just isn't very colorful, other than some fish. Hilo has no diving to speak of. The cruise ship sucked, BTW, FWIW. Check cruisecritic.com for reviews.

 

[rockjock3]

Look me up while you're on Oahu. I can get you to some of the nicer dive spots here on the Island. Lots of good dive spots around and we should still be able to dive North shore in September.

 

[socaldiver65]

I will contact rockjock3 via e-mail a few week prior to the trip. thanks

 

[pigletfish]

The manta ray night dive would be done from Kona, and it is a great experience. If you have the opportunity, do it!

If you post your questions on the Hawaii board (rather than the general travel and vacation board) you'll get a ton more responses from people who live in Hawaii and/or are passionate about diving there.

Cheers!

 

[cuddlefish]

The manta dive is in Kona, Hawaii. Most dive operators who offer this as a 2-tank trip meet around 3:30 pm and return around 8:30pm. Those who offer it as a 1-tank trip probably meet around 5:00pm and get back around 8:30pm. Most cruise ships visiting Kona do not stay long enough to accommodate the manta dive. I would definately recommend a 2-tank morning dive in Kona. Jack's Diving Locker would be one place to contact. There are many wonderful dive operators in Kona. Visit a few websites, send out a few e-mails and I'm sure you'll find a dive shop that suits your needs.

 

[mccabejc]

Are you interested in shore diving, boat diving, or both? There's lots of great shore diving in Hawaii. On Oahu I'd definitely take a drive to the north shore (conditions should still be good in September...) and try Sharks Cove and nearby sites. Great diving, great snorkeling, and a great place to just explore. Sharks Cove is one of my favorite places.

The Big Island has a lot of easy and wonderful shore diving sites all along the west coast, especially around Kailua-Kona.

http://bigislandlove.com/pic.bigisland.map.med.res.jpg

There's also night manta ray boat dives. Actually, when you get off the boat at Kailua-Kona, there's also a great shore dive off the pier where the tenders dock. Nice sandy beach for the family. Tons of yellow tangs. Here's a live webcam (scroll to the bottom):

http://www.konaweb.com/

The image on the right is looking at the pier where the tenders dock. The dive is on the far side. You'll need a dive flag/float, though, especially if you dive outside the little harbor. Here's a description:

http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/Hawaii/TBI/Kailua/index.htm

For shore diving sites check here: http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/Hawaii/index.htm

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

No good diving out of Kahalui but it's a short drive to the other side where all the diving is.

 

[kidspot]

If you get the chance dive Molokini while on Maui - it's "the" boat dive over here. Lots of shore diving, and we "do" have a manta dive here (I've just never done it) but there are 2 or 3 guided tours for that (may have to do a search in the Hawaii Ohana to find them) It's on the Lahaina side about 5 miles south of Lahaina (about a 30 min. drive from Kahului)

Aloha, Tim