Kona Dive Shops ( Who is the best? )

[cuddlefish]

Did a quick search and couldn't find anyone who charged less than $99 for a 2-tank sunset/night dive. I found three operators that charged $115 and three that charged $99. With only a $16 difference in price I would always choose the one that just "felt right" to me. There doesn's seem to be one operator that charges way more than anyone else. (Of course, as with any business, there is likely someone who charges way less than everyone else and I would have to wonder why.) With fuel prices so high I suspect some of the shops might actually bump the price up a bit.

 

[Universal Diver]

Which dive shops includes the torch? Which ones do not? I suspect the $16 can change to a $23 difference very quicky. that is 23% higher than the $99 dive shop that includes a torch. It all adds up.

I agree about being comfortable but I had a fantastic time with the $99 dive shops the same as I did the $122 dive shop. Same sandwich, different boat, different people, different jokes.

I thought the people in every dive shop were excellent hosts. Can't beat the Big Island hospitality.

Chris

 

[cuddlefish]

perhaps Keller at Jack's charges by the joke! (I wonder if he should give a discount for every joke you have to listen to...the dive trip could get very cheap). He is such a crack up, huh?! I've seen him guzzle coffee...do you think Keller should be drinking coffee?! Ya gotta love him.

 

[Universal Diver]

I actually dived with Keller on two different occasions. He remembered my name and he was conscious about telling the same jokes twice. He really impressed me. Personally, I can't even remember where I leave my keys! He remembers all his divers' names!

He even pulled me aside to tell me a story about the "other day" we went diving. I was chatting with this young lady about the usual, diving, life, family, job, etc. Her boyfriend wasn't giving her so much attention until he noticed she was talking to me. Now, I'm no threat to any man (I only wish), but he was obviously getting jealous.

Keller noticed this from that day and we had a little laugh over it. I wasn't trying to do anything, just have a conversation and this 40ish year old man acted like a little teenager. I didn't even know Keller had noticed. That also impressed me.

Good guy, good people.

Chris

 

[nuts4diving]

We dove with Jack's Diving Locker--pleased with it, but uncomfortable with them handling our gear all the time (they lost my husband's snorkel). We had planned to go back last March, and reserved with Jack's, but my husband got an ear infection & we cancelled. We had talked to them about handling our own gear, which they said is fine. We like that they offer 3-tank advanced trips--gets out of the high-traffic sights. We're headed there again in January, and plan to use Jack's. I've also heard good things about Kona Coast Divers, but haven't tried them.

Mary Helen

 

[PTLarry]

Any comments about"Dive Makai?" They came up on my google search for Dive Operators, Kona.

 

[rhone]

I'm going mid october, too, and plan to do my boat dives w/ kohala divers (nearest the Hilton, where I'm staying) and doing the Manta dive with someone else in Kona, like Jacks, etc. Depending on where you're staying, maybe check out the shops by the north resorts (if you're staying there). I read a lot of posts and didn't see anything that made me uncomfortable booking with them... I guess the convenience of getting to them quickly in the mornings appealed to me, compared to driving to Kona from the resort. Doing some shore dives, too. I'll certainly post my impressions when I return.

Also, I think Ironman is Oct. 10 or 11??? I'm getting to the big island on the 11th (sunday), driving straight to Hilo for a few day before finishing the trip and diving on the west side.

I don't mind the extra people the ironman will undoubtedly add to the island...I'm more concerned about feeling like a puffed whale compared to hordes of people who are, arguably, among the most in-shape human specimens in the world!

 

[neonistic]

Big Island divers is the only shop that does a single manta dive. All other shops do two. They also offer a manta and black water (blue water at night) trip. They seemed good to me but I mostly shore dive. I hate spending $100 for a dive I can do for $5. If you shore dive, Jacks has unlimited tanks for $11 in 24 hours. Just go back and trade for a fresh tank. I got in 5 dives in one day. I have a lot of shore dive locations if you are interested.

 

[tc]

Another vote for Jacks, very nice folks there.

 

[Teamcasa]

I used Big Island Divers in the past and they really treated me and my wife wonderfully. Jacks Diving Locker gets lot's of love here on ScubaBoard as well.