Maui DIve Shop reviews?

[diversteve]

Can you post your(anyone you know) experience with Maui Dive shop? I booked a 1 tank back wall dive with them. I would like to dive just back wall in Maui as I've a non diving wife. So want to go early and come back by 10. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks
KK

Given your time constraints, a better question is where you staying?

If near Wailea/Kihei, dive with Severns, B&B or someone else who leaves out of the Kihei boat ramp.

If you're up north in Lahaina/Kapalua, you'll want to pick someone up there as the drive between the two places will be 1/2hr. to 45 min. each way.

Another factor is that Kihei is much closer to Molokini than the Lahaina area so leaving from there cuts down on the boat travel time also.

I've dove with Maui Diveshop, Lahaina Divers and Pacific Dive recently. I'd dive again with any of them, but give a slight edge for service and attentiveness to Lahaina Divers. They have big boats but still provide personalized service. We were lucky in that our boat only had about 10 divers. They let my buddy and I dive our own deeper profile while the DM toured the less experienced divers in the shallows. They asked us before departure about our skill level to be able to select a site that worked for both.

We had a short drive to meet the MDS boat from Wailea, it took about 20 mins. as I recall, they're based at a marina north of Kihei (past the aquarium?) Although I think they also leave from Kihei, just not our boat.

Steve

 

[iflexsol]

I'll be staying in Kihei

 

[KrisB]

I'd recommend Ed Robinson's. They're on the high-priced end, but they run small boats (12 divers+2DM+2crew, IIRC) out of the Kihei small boat ramp.

I've seen a lot of slackassed stuff come from MDS -- a buddy had rented tanks from there and they don't bother to put the valve covers on... just a piece of masking tape over the opening, if it's full.

Anyways... it seems MDS has a huge operation and thrives on tourists noticing it first -- it is likely that you will get better or more consistent service from one of the other operators, rather than this large one that has a huge staff (and high turnaround, from what I hear).

 

[Charlie99]

I've seen a lot of slackassed stuff come from MDS -- a buddy had rented tanks from there and they don't bother to put the valve covers on... just a piece of masking tape over the opening, if it's full.

And the problem with this is ..... ? Some people consider having a valve cover dangling from your tank for the entire dive a slackassed way of diving. Each to their own.

 

[sharky60]

My wife did her certification check out dives with MDS a few years ago, the instructors were very good with her, she was very nervous and they did a great job.

We dove the rest of the week on the big boat out of Maalea, we had no complaints other than it was just the same 2 trips offered over and over, Molokini & Turtle Town and the Lanai "catherdral" trip.

My next trip to Maui I plan on hooking up with Mike Severn, any guy who has actually found new fish and nammed them has to be a good dive guide!!