If only have one day to dive in Maui, what should I do?

[kat.hayes]

I'm going to be in Maui for about 5 days in June, and with the way my current schedule is, I will have only one day to go on a dive. I've heard about the Lanai Cathedral trip, though what else should I consider doing with my limited time to dive?

Thanks!

 

[geoff w]

You didn't say how experienced you are, or what you're interested in. Personally, I think it's hard to beat the backside of Molokini, but getting to dive there depends on conditions, the dive operator and experience level of everyone else on the boat. And the second dive will be somewhere close to shore.

After diving Maui for many years, I just found out about the hammerhead dives off of Molokai.

Where you stay will also affect how far you're willing to drive to get to a dive boat. If you're staying way up by Kapalua, it's a long drive in the morning down to the Kihei launch ramp, or if you're down in Wailea, it's a long drive to get up north to go out to Lanai

You can also probably find someone local to do shore dives (early, late, night), so you might be able to sneak in more than just one day of diving

Enjoy Maui!

 

[kat.hayes]

Sorry, I guess I should have mentioned my experience level... I consider myself a beginning diver and have not gone further than 65 ft. I'm staying at the Ritz Carlton.

I would LOVE to dive with hammerheads! I would also like to see Manta Rays, and I've read they are sometimes out there.

1. How long does it take to get to the backside of Molokini?
2. How long does it take to get to Molokai?
3. Are there always hammerheads there?

Thanks.

 

[fisheater]

How about black tip reef sharks, turtles and lots of other life and structure, all at shallow depths?

If that sounds good, check out Mala Wharf at Lahaina.


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[merxlin]

Sorry, I guess I should have mentioned my experience level... I consider myself a beginning diver and have not gone further than 65 ft. I'm staying at the Ritz Carlton.

I would LOVE to dive with hammerheads! I would also like to see Manta Rays, and I've read they are sometimes out there.

1. How long does it take to get to the backside of Molokini?
2. How long does it take to get to Molokai?
3. Are there always hammerheads there?

Thanks.

Molokai is not for a new diver in my opinion. It is a "live boat" meaning there is no anchor line to follow down or up. Safety stop is mid water. The swells can be fairly big and they will still make the trip, so re-boarding can be a challenge. And no guarantee of visibility or that you will see sharks.

Its been a year or two but I believe the time from Lahaina to Molokini is about 45 minutes. Also, Lahaina Divers was doing a 2 dive set to the Carthaginian (wood hull wreck) and a second dive at a Manta cleaning station near shore.

 

[kat.hayes]

I dived with black tip reef sharks in Tahiti, I wouldn't mind doing it again, though I would definitely like to see Hammerheads more, though it sounds like it might be a bit too advanced for me. I dived with giant turtles during my last trip to Maui and I dived with lots of them in Tahiti.

1. Is there anywhere else to see Hammerheads for a beginner?
2. Is the Manta cleaning station suited for a beginning diver?
3. What else should I consider doing?

Thanks!

 

[TSandM]

If you can find a buddy (or hire a DM) I would HIGHLY recommend the Mala Pier dive. It's a beautiful, shallow dive, with tons of structure that harbors a profusion and wide variety of life. I have seen white-tipped reef sharks there almost every time I've dived it, as well as some beautiful nudibranchs and a lot of different fish.

The Lanai Pinnacles and Cathedrals are very nice dives, and quite accessible by boat from the Lahaina area, which is not too far from your hotel. Dives inside the Molokini crater are also good for new divers, although I have not been amazed by the inside of Molokini the last couple of times we have dived it.

You will see many of the same animals by shore diving, and it's much less expensive -- although getting up early and getting on a boat can sometimes be the most efficient way to get a couple of dives in and still do other things with the day.

 

[Shaka Doug]

Mala Wharf is a good place for seeing White Tip Reef Sharks but I wouldn't count on any Black Tip's there. The only places I've dove with Black Tips on Maui were out in the deep blue water at Molokini Crater and last week in the Shark Tank at the Maui Ocean Center (which was a very cool dive by the way!!). It's a bit of an odd dive to do on vacation but if you only had one day and one dive I can guarantee you it would be one you would not quickly forget. PM me if you want details. I'd love to go again into the Shark Tank!!

 

[fisheater]

Mala Wharf is a good place for seeing White Tip Reef Sharks but I wouldn't count on any Black Tip's there.

Oops. Embarrassing senior moment. Of course, they're white tips. I have the photos to prove it, too.


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[merxlin]

If you are heading down to Kehei while there, I would give Shaka Doug a call. A couple quick shore dives and still have most of your day available.