Maui / Kona / Oahu - Feb/Mar - Trip Planning Suggestions?

[alishaarrr]

My husband and I (both AOW divers) are looking at a Hawaii trip for February or March. Welcome suggestions for when and where to go as we consider our itinerary.

Are weather and dive conditions substantially better in March vs. February?
How about whale watching in Maui in one month vs. the other?
Must one go to Maui for humpbacks, or are the other islands equally reliable in terms of being able to see them in such abundance?

I've been diving in Kona and really liked it (incl. manta ray night dive) so would enjoy going back. Would go again with Kona Diving Co - superb boats and service.

Other than going to see the humpbacks, don't necessarily need to go to Maui ... unless the diving is well worth it?

We would probably want to go to Oahu as well since my husband lived there for some years as a kid (Camp Smith - marine brat) and he'd like to go back for nostalgia reasons. Worth trying to do some diving there?

We also enjoy shoreside exploration ... hiking and nature and such.

If you had 7-10 days, how would you split up the time?

 

[covediver]

I have been diving at Maui, Kona, and Oahu in late March a few times. Last time I was in Maui, saw humpbacks and heard their calls while taking an intro freediving class. The Pacific Whale Foundation monitors mentioned it was their last weekend monitoring as the whales were about to migrate away.

If I had 7 to 10 days, I would pick one island and stay there. It would be either Maui or Kona for diving. Oahu diving is OK, Maui and Kona are better. Also, if you are in Honolulu, the traffic to get to the better diving leaves a lot to be desired.

If you go to Maui, check out the Aquarium near the airport. Well worth a visit.

If you go to Kona, a manta night dive is a bucket list activity as is a trip to Volcanoes National Park on the other side of the island. If you are dioing a lot of diving, check your tables for change in altitude to get to Volcanoes.

 

[FreqFlier]

I'd go for late March, 5-6 days Maui (Molokini and both Cathedrals boat dives, Ulua Beach and Makena Landing shore dives etc.), 3-4 days Oahu (out of Hawaii Kai and Kewalo Basin harbors, mostly wrecks, some reefs)