Kona dive shop

[rcwei]

Hi guys,

I will visit Big Island in Feb. 2006, I am looking forward to meet the magnificent manta rays for the first time. Can anyone suggest a local dive shop, which operates such a boat dive in a smaller group, and what is the typical rate? Since I am an ocean researcher, so an eco-concerned operator is preferred, and foreigner-friendly can be a big plus too. By the way, does manta ray only show up in the night? Does the dive shop provide enough light to see in the night dive? Thanks for any essential information needed for the first time visitor!! Aloha!!!

 

[ItsBruce]

I dove with Kona Hanu divers when I was there in July. It is a great operation. It has as big and fast a boat as anyone. That makes gearing up and stripping back down much more convenient than on a smaller boat, especially at night. They supply lights. The manta night dive is probably the best dive I've ever done.

 

[ryt]

big island divers would be my recommendation. I have been through most of them, and they are the best by far. There are a lot of great operators out there though, can't really think of anyone that isn't good

For a 2 tank manta you are looking in the range of about 115-135

Sometimes you will see mantas during the day, but you will almost definately see a bunch at night wiht the manta dive. There is plenty of light (as that what attracts the plankton, which attracts the mantas) and its an all around terrific dive. Its real easy too, just pretty much sit on the bottom and watch.

 

[friscuba]

The well known manta dive is a night dive. Mantas can be seen during the day, but it is quite a bit less predictable and it's usually just a fly by where you see a manta for a minute or two versus the manta dive where you can litterally sit on your knees for 45 minutes and have mantas practically sitting on top of your head much of the time.

My guess is that there are roughly 12-15 operators who do the manta dive from time to time and several who do it several days a week. Boats can run the gamut of sizes and passenger numbers. Rates will run anywhere from 99 on up for an afternoon dive followed by a night dive. Virtually all the operators will provide lights, although some may charge a couple bucks for the lights.

February (basically winter times) can be kind of iffy as to whether the mantas are showing up, however it's been consistantly good for several months and with any luck the mantas will continue to frequent the sites that the dives are done throughout the winter.

 

[cowjazz]

I'll second the Kona Honu suggestion from ItsBruce. I dove with them for week in 2002. Glenn and his crew were first rate. The Manta Ray Night dive was the best. The boat was built to their specifications for diving, and is very diver friendly. The DMs had a nack for locating octopi and turtles on about every dive.

Check them out at http://www.konahonudivers.com/index.shtml

 

[LioKai]

You are an ocean researcher and you asked for a smaller group, so I will respond accordingly. "Wanna Dive" uses a part-time DM named Kara Osada. Kara is a University of Hawaii Marine Bio Masters student, doing her rersearch on the zoo-plankton found in Makako Bay (the location of the Manta Dive). Zoo-plankton is the food source of mantas. Kara did her under-grad work in manta migration, taging, and tracking. Her knowledge base is beyond compare, on both scientific and practical levels. Her concerns and actions both above and below the surface of the water are very eco-friendly, none of the animals are handled or harrassed.

For mantas by day, ask to dive Manta Ray Bay on a morning dive. (SMALL GROUP ONLY)If the dive shop thinks Manta Ray Bay is where the Manta Night Dive is located, hang up the phone and call a more knowledgable dive shop, or ask "Wanna Dive" for Kara again. This location is hit and miss as a large animal cleaning station. Kara knows the area well.

For the record, I do not work for "Wanna Dive".

Matthew

 

[Wildcard]

Matt does work for Big Isle Divers who have a brand new but kicking 35 footer with lots of room and they are willing to spend the bucks on fuel to make the run down to Manta heaven if the regular spot is slow. Also pay the money for the video, spendy but worth it if you dont have your own UW video. The mantas are on you so fast it's hard for a digi to get focused and take the pic before you get run over by the mantas.

 

[friscuba]

Thanks for the little plug Matthew. Kara knows the manta biology (as well as reef biology) inside and out.

One more comment on Manta Ray Bay, even if you don't see mantas, I would bet you'll see eagle rays more often than not. It's got a bit of everything and is a great site.

later,

 

[Universal Diver]

I will second LioKai's suggestion. Wanna Dive is great if you want personal attention on a small boat. I really enjoyed diving with Steve this past September.

I also dived on Kona Honu and loved their boat, but it is big. There are a lot of people on the boat but it is comfortable.

Like I said, if you want more personal attention, dive Wanna Dive.

Chris

 

[rcwei]

Thanks for all the inputs, now I have a better idea!

I do need some personal attention, even though it is more
comfortable on a big boat, but a big crowd can be a nuisance
too.

Further questions on the Mata Ray dive, if I go on a two tanks dive,
what is the typical schedule? I saw on some dive shop web sites,
there could a afternoon dive before the Mata Ray night dive, does this
how everyone operate? How is the daylight in the late afternoon in
water toward the end of Feb?

To be more ambitious, is there any chance to see the whale shark too?