Kona Aggressor II Liveaboard Review

[nbaltz]

Dove off the Kona Aggressor II the week of November 16th-23rd, 2013 and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of diving off the Kona Coast. The reefs were extremely healthy and loaded with a diversity of fish. The best diving was shallow, around 30-40 feet with negligible current, 100 foot visibility, and 77F water temperatures.

Most of the bottom from 10-50 feet had a very dense coverage of hard corals. The number and variety of butterflyfish, wrasse, and surgeonfish was refreshing. It was not uncommon to see about a dozen eels and at least 4 different eel species each dive. Most dives included octopus, flatworms, and sea slugs, which is great if you are the type of diver who likes to take their time and chill with the macrolife. There was sufficient variety to keep each dive unique and entertaining.

The crew of the Kona Aggressor II was fantastic. They were very friendly and helpful throughout the week. Captain Todd was outstanding. He made us feel like we were all old friends that were out for a fun week of diving on his yacht. His wealth of information, experience, and inclusivity clearly sets the bar for captains in the live aboard industry.

The boat itself is worn down and shows its 20+ age. Much could be upgraded with the Kona Aggressor II, but the diving and the crew made up for things. The boat used to have a hot tub, which is no longer available. The nitrox compressor was down that week, but honestly, with 5 dives/day around 70 minutes each at 30-40 feet, I did not miss nitrox. Drinks were kept in refrigerators with doors that do not shut all the way, so the guests went through plenty of ice during the week. I wish I had brought a second mask - one to dive with, and one to wear in the heads when flushing the toilet.

I left the boat asking myself why I did not do this trip much earlier in my career. I highly recommend this charter. Hats off to the crew of the Kona Aggressor II and the Aggressor Fleet.

 

[tajkd]

Thanks for the info. I've thought about doing this trip many times. Any word on an update for the boat?

 

[tdchandl]

Agree... Crew Fantastic, Todd, James, Karl, and Mindy. Food also excellent (aces to Vern). So with Dive, Eat, Sleep routine makes for an outstanding week for diving. Sites actually very interesting and quite a surprise. Wasn't sure what to expect but overall very healthy.

 

[Woodiver]

We saw the boat out of the water at the harbor on 11-26. Seems like we saw it either last year or the year before in the yard about the same time so it may be the timing for it's annual maintenance. Hopefully all of the issues you had on our charter were corrected while it was out of the water.

 

[Dr. Lecter]

The boat itself is worn down and shows its 20+ age. Much could be upgraded with the Kona Aggressor II, but the diving and the crew made up for things. The boat used to have a hot tub, which is no longer available. The nitrox compressor was down that week, but honestly, with 5 dives/day around 70 minutes each at 30-40 feet, I did not miss nitrox. Drinks were kept in refrigerators with doors that do not shut all the way, so the guests went through plenty of ice during the week. I wish I had brought a second mask - one to dive with, and one to wear in the heads when flushing the toilet.

This more than clears up a debate I've been having with myself lately as to whether the wife and I could do a week on this boat as a kind of staycation of easy rec diving. For the prices they're charging, I'd expect a lot better than what you describe. The EAN and hot tub are deal breakers IMO.

How was the menu in terms of variety? And how annoying were they about maintaining a group during the dives?

 

[tdchandl]

To your question on Menu... good variety for lunch and dinner. Breakfast is breakfast. As for the diving good predive review of the area, everyone in at the same time and mostly out at the same time. Avg 60minute dives. For our trip good cross section of hardened photographers and general divers so most stayed in reasonable proxmidity but not like there was a defined "follow me" situation with the DM's. For drift dives there was a lead and a following herder to keep us aligned but not an issue.
As for Hot Tub ... if you go on the 5 dives aday plan not sure there's time for hottub. Nitrox availability fine but they were experiencing issues with the compressor towards the end of the trip but no impact to us- expect this was addressed in yearly refit.

Quality for me overall high. No complaints. Would return again.

 

[Dr. Lecter]

Thanks for the follow-up. As a hardcore skiier, let me say there is always time for hot tub

 

[Damselfish]

While they should have a working hot tub if they advertise one, I have a hard time seeing it as a deal breaker on a liveaboard. Much as I love them, the few I've seen on liveaboards are typically lukewarm and half the water has sloshed out anyway. And if they were kept hot enough, you run into the question about the advisability of using a hot tub right after diving (which can be most of your waking hours on a liveaboard.)

 

[Shasta_man]

No hot tub is a deal breaker?! That's a bit surprising since it's somewhat unusual to have one in the first place, and ice is the best treatment for my aches.

 

[Dr. Lecter]

Shrug...at $2700 PP for a week of local diving and stuck-in-one-place food, I expect some creature comforts and was pleased to see a tub advertised. It would be nice to see the marketing changed if the tub has been deleted rather than just broken like the EAN.