Maui or the Big Island?

[jdubdiver]

Dove with both Bottom Time and BID, Manta Ray night dive with BID was good. I Heard Bottom Time changed owners. South Kona SCUBA next to Kona Boys in Kealakekua was great for guided diving @ Two Step/Place of Refuge.

 

[Abidon]

I am looking at Dive Makai, Bottom Time, and Big Island Divers. I would also like to find a shore diving guide. I will have my niece with me who is very new to diving. I need a dive op that is very good with new divers. Thanks for all your replies. I know it's very early but I am so excited about this trip.

I dove with BID for the manta night dive last year. I was (am) a newbie with less than 10 logged dives at that time. I would suggest booking a 2-tank dive for your manta dive excursion. The first dive that takes place in the late afternoon will do a lot to alleviate any nervousness your niece might have about diving later on that night. Also, be sure she informs the captain and DM that she is new. They are a very accomodating outfit for new divers.

Dove with both Bottom Time and BID, Manta Ray night dive with BID was good. I Heard Bottom Time changed owners. South Kona SCUBA next to Kona Boys in Kealakekua was great for guided diving @ Two Step/Place of Refuge.

I also dove with them @ Two Step/Place of Refuge. A dive guide isn't necessary there, but probably recommended if your niece will be joining you as well. They're also great with new divers.

 

[spoolin01]

When I was there in Dec, South Kona Scuba was no longer at that spot. I ran into one of the owners at Two Step/Honaunau and he said he's still working, just no shop.

Maine Diver - at Kahaluu you can swim across the break line at the end of the breakwater but it's fairly shallow, maybe 8 ft in places, so it can be 'dynamic' when the groundswell is up. Go left around the wall and there's a bunch of canyons all along the way to down past the Outrigger Keauhou. I like that dive, but it's not terribly scenic as I recall aside from the structure. You can also swim out to the right up the coast for a little better coral but more uniform topography. There are a couple of other public access points to that region just up the road as well. 4 Mile is a nice site about 3/4 mile up that way, with an arch and small swim-through. I've tried several access points between there and Kailua and they've all been nice though often not as good viz as can be found. A lot of the Kona sites can be accessed by a giant stride off the water's edge, which makes them easier than a sloping shore entry, no breaking waves - the trick is picking a good spot to get out, where water is not moving back and forth much, and to know when to wait for calmer seas. Have fun, but be careful!

 

[Maine Diver]

I dove with BID for the manta night dive last year. I was (am) a newbie with less than 10 logged dives at that time. I would suggest booking a 2-tank dive for your manta dive excursion. The first dive that takes place in the late afternoon will do a lot to alleviate any nervousness your niece might have about diving later on that night. Also, be sure she informs the captain and DM that she is new. They are a very accomodating outfit for new divers.



I also dove with them @ Two Step/Place of Refuge. A dive guide isn't necessary there, but probably recommended if your niece will be joining you as well. They're also great with new divers.

If I take her on any shore dives, I want a guide along. While I am comfortable in the water, I am not experienced enough to lead a total newbie. I need to get lots more dives and experience under my belt. It's all about continually learning and sharpening my dive skills. I will for sure be doing the manta dive. I also hope to do the black water dive.

 

[Maine Diver]

When I was there in Dec, South Kona Scuba was no longer at that spot. I ran into one of the owners at Two Step/Honaunau and he said he's still working, just no shop.

Maine Diver - at Kahaluu you can swim across the break line at the end of the breakwater but it's fairly shallow, maybe 8 ft in places, so it can be 'dynamic' when the groundswell is up. Go left around the wall and there's a bunch of canyons all along the way to down past the Outrigger Keauhou. I like that dive, but it's not terribly scenic as I recall aside from the structure. You can also swim out to the right up the coast for a little better coral but more uniform topography. There are a couple of other public access points to that region just up the road as well. 4 Mile is a nice site about 3/4 mile up that way, with an arch and small swim-through. I've tried several access points between there and Kailua and they've all been nice though often not as good viz as can be found. A lot of the Kona sites can be accessed by a giant stride off the water's edge, which makes them easier than a sloping shore entry, no breaking waves - the trick is picking a good spot to get out, where water is not moving back and forth much, and to know when to wait for calmer seas. Have fun, but be careful!

I may just enjoy the snorkeling at Kahaluu and save the diving for better sites. I'm hoping as the time gets closer, I might find a buddy who wants to try some shore diving.

 

[Gianmarco]

East Hawaii Divers is who I got certified with. It's one dude that used to own a dive shop, got tired of all of the stresses involved in that, and now just does his thing out of his truck/home. But, he's a real great guy and really flexible with time. I would recommend him for new divers, for sure. And if I remember right, his prices are a little lower than most people's (as a result of fewer business expenses)