Maui Dive Trip Questions

[bubblin_girl]

Hi there! I'm new to posting on Scubaboard.com and was hoping to tap other divers for recommendations and advice regarding diving in Maui.

My significant other and I are heading to Hawaii for a dive trip in about 2 weeks time. We are planning on staying in Maui for 4 days/3 nights and anticipate diving as much as possible. We are both PADI Advanced Open Water/Nitrox certified and have 50+ dives each under our belts.

Does anyone have recommendations on dive operators in Maui? We prefer small-ish dive operators (not massive diving boats that load on 20+ divers) and aren't looking for a a pleasure-cruise type dive operation but a more hardcore dive-centric shop.

In addition to seeking out a quality Maui dive operator, we are torn between staying in Lahina or Kihei. Can anyone offer recommendations on staying in one town over another? Ideally we'd like our hotel accomodations to be as close as possible to the dive ops that we choose.

Thanks for taking the time!

 

[Charlie99]

What sort of accomodations are you looking for. Wailea, in S. Maui has lots of upscale hotels that are 5 minutes from the Kihei boat ramp, which is the best place to depart for trips to Molokini islet.

The upscale tourist hotel zone in West Maui is the Kaanapali resort, a few minutes north of downtown Lahaina. Boats depart from Mala Ramp and from Lahaina Harbor, both of which are within 10 minutes of Kaanapali.

----------- Below are my general comments on Maui Dive Ops --------

For several years I made frequent trips to Maui, mostly staying in West Maui, but diving both out of Lahaina and Kihei. In 2004 I bought a condo in Kihei and started spending 3 or 4 months there each winter. Although I have my own favorites, I do try to go out with the other dive ops now and then just to keep track of how they are doing. Here are my observations and opinions .......

West Maui vs South Maui Where you are stay makes a big difference as to which dive operators are conveniently located. It is a 50 minute drive between Kihei and Kaanapali when the traffic is light, and much longer midday. West Maui includes Lahaina, the Kaanapali resort area, and places like Kahana, Napili, and the Kapalua resort. South Maui includes Kihei, Wailea, and Makena.[/b]


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Maui Dive Op Review
Maui has lots of good dive ops and the old "pick a random name out of the yellow pages" approach will work. Many of the dive ops have a particular personality that make them better suited for particular types of divers.

Harbors and Boat Ramps
Lahaina Harbor and Mala Ramp are in West Maui, just a few minutes from the popular Kaanapali resort area. This is the best departure point for going to Lanai. While some operators do run from Maalea or Kihei over to Lanai, it's a long boat ride that will seem even longer on the return trip after the tradewinds kick up the seas in late morning. Similarly, Kihei boatramp is the closest to Molokini and driving to there is better than taking the longer boatride from Lahaina to Molokini.

Maalea Harbor is the closest departure point to Molokini for larger boats that don't run out of Kihei boat ramp.

Kihei Boat Ramp is the closest departure point for Molokini. Several 6 passenger and 12 passenger boats depart from the boat ramp.

Figure on taking about 50 minutes to get to Kihei boat ramp from Kaanapali in the morning (This assumes you stay on the highway to Keonekai Rd, just after MileMarker 9, rather than going the length of S. Kihei Rd).


DIVE OPERATORS

It's hard to find a bad operator on Maui. The choice of dive op is more a case of finding the one that best suits your personality and dive style. The character of the trips is set by both the crew and also what sort of clientele that dive ops has.

Lahaina Divers, departing from Lahaina harbor, and Maui Dive Shop (Maalea boat and check-in for the big boats; and Kihei outlet store check-in and Kihei boat ramp departure for the 12 passenger boats) are the biggest operators, with multiple boats. Lahaina Divers has the biggest boats going to Lanai and are best for those prone to seasickness. Lahaina Divers is used to working with new and occasional divers. If you are prone to seasickness, then the large Lahaina Divers boats are the preferred trip to Lanai. Maui Dive Shop runs a 1 tank trip to Molokini backwall from Kihei boatramp. Although other dive ops frequently do the backwall, this is the only trip that specifically targets it. Lahaina Diver and Maui Dive Shop are by far the biggest dive charter companies. Since there is not the same level of owner involvement in the day-to-day boat operation that you see with the smaller operators, there will be more variation in atmosphere and how things are run.

Extended Horizons is a 12 pack out of Mala Ramp. The owner often Captains the boat. They spend a lot of time talking to the divers on the trip over to Lanai in order to assign divers to 2 groups by experience level. My favorite dive op for Lanai.

Hawaiian Rafting is another 12 pack going to Lanai from Mala. The boat is not as nice as Extended Horizons ... a lot bumpier ride, and getting back onboard involves more degearing.

SOUTH MAUI BOATS

Mike Severns is run by Pauline, a biologist, who often DMs on her 12 passenger boat. My personal favorite. Outstanding briefings on the flora and fauna you are likely to see on each dive. Pauline is the person the other dive ops go to with their questions about marine life. In addition to the standard Molokini and S. Maui coral dominated dive sites visited by others, Mike Severns often does the 80' sand and algae dives like the tank and landing craft. If you are a fish nerd, this is definitely your boat. The captain and mate go diving during your SI, so you will have a nice long SI. They also do a lot of exploration to find new dive sites. DMs don't rush you out of the water, and I've done lots of 60+ minute dives with them, both at Molokini and S. Maui. Highly recommended.

Ed Robinson Dive Adventures runs two 12 passenger boats out of Kihei boatramp. Another class operation. They tend towards more aggressive dive profiles than other operators. Their 3 tank dive trip typically starts off with a drop down to 130' to either check out some black coral and a shark condo, or to another spot to see some long finned anthias. I've also hit those same spots a couple times with ERDA on their normal 2 tank trips. As with other 12 px boats, they split into two groups of 6 based on experience level. They also have an "adventure dive" trip for more experienced divers. Very relaxed atmosphere where you pretty much do your own thing rather than following a DM.


B&B Scuba runs a 12 passenger jet-boat out of Kihei boat ramp. B&B is the #1 favorite of many others on Scubaboard, but in my list comes in as a close #3, right behind Mike Severns and Ed Robinson. Generally departs a while after ProDiver, but it's a tossup as to who gets to Molokini first. There are usually several DMs and instructors onboard. This boat does well with new divers and infrequent divers. Dives tended to be about 45-50 minutes long.


ProDiver Maui has a full-sized 34' boat run as a 6 pack. 5:45AM check-in, 6AM departure. Often returns as early as 10:30-11AM, which works out well for divers with non-diving spouses. Nice boat, with a head and tons of room for just 6 divers. As with other 6 packs, since there is only 1 group of 6 going into the water, the dive sites chosen must be suitable for the least experienced diver onboard.

Scuba Shack also runs a a 12 passenger jet-boat similar to B&B. Both Capt Darryl and the owner, Charlie, are interesting characters. Due to crowded boat an awkward exit gate, and weird vibes from the owner, it isn't one of my favorites.

Dive and Sea Maui is a 6 pack owner-operator boat. He got a new boat in early 2008, a lovely catamaran. Unlike their old boat, it does have a head, but when I went with them in March 08 they were still clearing up some Coast Guard certification on the holding tank and it wasn't in serve. I had a good time on the trips I've taken with them .... kind of like a day on the water on a buddy's boat.


------------- other

North Shore Explorers is a unique diveop that uses a high speed rigid hull inflatable to dive spots that most other dive ops never go to. 6 pack. Rather expensive. Very experienced captain and crew that went into business for themselves a couple of years ago.

Maui Diamond II runs out of Maalaea Harbor. I've only been on this boat one time, and didn't return after 2 lackluster dives from the same mooring buoy inside the crater with a DM that seemed to be lost. Maui Diamond II is also the boat that left 8 divers in the water for 5 hours after a Molokini dive in Feb '03.
<Apparently this boat is now under new owner/captain, but I haven't used the new guys yet>


The snorkel excursion boats such as Teralani and the Trilogy boats offer diving on their excursions to Molokini and Lanai. Often, the divers are non-certified divers doing a "discover scuba" dive, so the dive spots are chosen for depth and safety instead of attractiveness. When taking houseguests or family out on these trips, I just snorkel with them rather than going diving.

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All dive ops will have good days and bad days. Different people weight different aspects of a dive trip differently. Many posts on SB are simply "XXX dive op is great!", without comparison to others. The above comments are an attempt to highlight the differences between the various operators so that you can find the ones that match up best with what is important to you.

Charlie Allen

 

[oleo]

Hello new here also. I was in Maui in April of this year. It won&#8217;t be my last trip there, can&#8217;t wait to go back. Since I have only been once I would not consider myself a great authority but I will pass along what I learned on my first trip.

As for where to stay I guess it would all depend on what you like to do. We stayed in North Kihei, Maalaea bay. Quiet just my style. Great place if you like to wind or kite surf. I will on my next visit.
Further down in Kihei there is much more to do and more action. More beaches to choose from for after diving laze abouts. Lahaina has lots of shopping and restaurants no real beaches.
For finding accommodations I use vbro.com. You can get some great deals on condos and homes for rent, just be careful and check the place out on other sites before committing to anything.

Now the diving. I went with Makena Coast Dive Charters (twice). A small operator, but very nice folks. They had an early departure from the Kihei boat ramp to Molokini. A bonus on busy days, as I have heard that it can get very crowded as the morning moves on.
Usually 1 dive at Molokini and one somewhere else, Picked by a show of hands onboard and final decision by conditions and ability of all onboard.

On non-diving days go snorkeling tons of great places. Enjoy your trip

 

[TSandM]

Some of the homeowners in the Kihei/Maui Meadows area have cottages that they rent -- We have stayed in one a couple of times which is VERY nice, with a carport and room to spread out gear to dry, and a hose to rinse it, as well as a washer and dryer. It was somewhere in the range of $125 a night, but had a full kitchen, which saves some money.

I also vote for Mike Severns, if you are serious about marine life. They have reference materials on the boat, and will pass them around before the dive to make sure you have a picture of the specific interesting species they expect to show you on that particular dive.

Staying in Kihei is good for the dive ops, unless you want to go over and do the Cathedrals and pinnacles off Lanai, in which case you are better off going with Lahaina Divers and avoiding a long boat trip. But if you stay in the Lahaina or Kaanapali areas, you have a drive or a long boat ride for your Molokini trips.

 

[k ellis]

Let me say first that you did the right thing by coming to this forum first. I have personally experienced the frustration of the highly advertised scuba shops in Maui and was HIGHLY disappointed. I would recommed personally going to MAUI dreams. When I went there they did not act like I was a burden but more like a friend they have known for years. (Though I just met them) they were one of the few larger (But not really all that large) opeartions that proudly announced they did Nitrox and did not give me a load of grief and try to talk me out of using it. They claim scuba shak was supposed to be number one but all I really got there was on one occasion I was told they were closing and the guy was in a hurry to hit a dinner date so would not even give me a chance to look which I told him was fine since I understood but he locked up said "Sorry man got to run Im late for a date."

the second day was a little more friendly but I still was not fully satisfied. I asked the young lady at the desk some questions I can not recall know but were fairly simple. She replied to all the answers "So and so will be back later I really dont know Im just running the store." so I just took it as it was a little too small for my taste but really have no negative things to say about them.

I went to I think it was B&B scuba and did not dive with them but found their staff to be real friendly and warm. If I was too suggest any shops to avoid it would be Maui Dive shop. they gave me a line that Nitrox in Hawaii was a no no and hardly any one used it though I found out through trial and error with research that you can find it you just have to be patient.

Now for recommendations of must do dives. Depending on likes and taste Molokini is a must dive at least once. They offer inside the crater which I Loved because it was so calm and peaceful with a beautiful crater and the visibility is one every diver dreams of. In excess of 200 feet I am told though I think on my occasion they claimed 150+. the outerwall is a little bit more demanding but also has its beautiful scenes. I say demanding because its more likely to have current if any on the outside then the inside but this I am told is rarely an issue.

the next dive I would say is a must dive is the Carthogenian. It sets right at or between 90 foot and 100 foot and is farely a young dive attraction. Less then 10 years on the bottom. It is still in excellent condition though I am told penitration is not recommended you still see plenty that facinates the mind on the outside of the old ship.

As for where to stay depends on likes and dislikes. Lahaina though not OVERLY crowded tends to draw lots of shoppers to an area that requires little use of a vehicle and you can walk to a lot of shops in a relatively small area. there is a restraunt I highly recommend there called Bubba Gumps and is themed after the movie Forest Gump. It has story memorabilia from the movie there and great staff too. there is a hard rock Cafe down the street and alot of other nice restraunts. Bubba Gumps you can sit right on the waters edge and enjoy the sound of the waves as you eat.

Kiehe is also a great town but the shops are spread out a little more as to require a vehicle to see more and so forth to see. If you are in to aquatic life but for a day dont want to get wet you can go to the MAUI Ocean Center and see a lot there. they actually have a tunnel where you can walk under the aquarium and see the sharks and other creatures they have.

Also before you dive (Due to altitude restrictions post dive) You may even find the volcano interesting. I cant recall the name but its 10,000 feet above sea level if I recall correct and man what a view looking down on the clouds while on solid ground. I am not a resident there but some one who goes 2 times a year so if you have questions I can try to help.

 

[floridanewbe]

welcome abroad

 

[bubblin_girl]

Thanks to everyone for the great recommendations and advice! Definitely made my trip planning much easier.

 

[Captain Walt]

Welcome a few days late. I am going to Hawaii in a few weeks too. Thanks for asking the questions for me. I read some stuff here I did not know. So good luck and y'all have fun.