Maui this week... what should we expect?

[ljwobker]

Wife and I are flying west tomorrow... the plan is to do some serious shore diving in Maui this week, and some more of the same on the big island next week.

Anyone have suggestions for dive shops for rental tanks and fills? We're not dedicated to a single location, hoping to combine the diving with some other sightseeing and photography around the island. Are the good dive shops scattered around, or are they in one or two locations?

Is there a good website for accurate LOCAL time/tide/weather/sea info? All the main stuff isn't specific enough

Also, if anyone is interested in somewhat-randomly pairing up with us, just drop me a PM. Our schedule isn't set -- we're quite laid back personality-wise but very responsible and safe divers... so we may try to find some locals or other visitors to hang out with.

Any particularly fabulous shore dives to hit or avoid? I'm trolling the site at shorediving.com and it looks like there's more good sites than I have days to dive, but if there's anything that's really good (or maybe anything to avoid?) the advice would be appreciated.

 

[TSandM]

My absolute favorite is the Mala Boat ramp in Lahaina. A big pier collapsed in a hurricane, leaving a ton of structure underwater which has collected a ton of sea life. It's a shallow dive, about 35 fsw max, but apparently CAN have some significant current at times. I've seen white tipped sharks and turtles, tons of snapper, gorgeous nudibranchs and the general run of reef fish. It's absolutely my top dive on Maui so far.

PM kidspot about diving -- He lives in Lahaina, is a skilled diver and a very nice man, and enjoys showing people the lovely shore diving Maui offers.

 

[DiveMaven]

A really great, and easy night (or morning) dive is Black Rock at the Sheraton on Kaanapali Beach. Easy navigation and a lot of great critters. We had a close encounter with Spotted Eagle Rays there last year, and you're practically guaranteed to see turtles. There are also nudibranchs, eels, oodles of reef fish, and with a max depth of only 35', you'll have at least an hour to enjoy yourself.

There are a lot of south shore sites that Kris will likely chime in on.

 

[kidspot]

PM sent - maybe our schedules will allow us to get together for some diving while you're here - Have fun

Aloha, Tim

 

[KrisB]

It really depends on where you're staying and how far you feel like driving.

There's some great diving on the south side -- I usually like Ulua Beach, but this week it's had some nasty algae balls clouding things up... hopefully it's gone soon!

Tim & I did Mala today -- "mediocre" viz according to him, but pretty nice compared to the last time I dove it. There was both current and surge, but it was manageable.

As for tank rental... the only place that has multiple locations is also the only place that didn't care when I brought "untasty" air to their attention -- Maui Dive Shop.

For good, clean air, I totally recommend Maui Dreams Dive Co. on the South side (Kihei) or Pacific Dive on the West (Lahaina).

 

[jon m]

going to Kona after?
if so, check out "two steps" (place of refuge) very easy to navigate (it's a big bowl) you can get pretty deep relatively quickly, and you might see some dolphins (to the right, facing the water , over the sandy area. actually, the last few times we went, the dolphins were there...

 

[Wildcard]

Two step, aka place of refuge is not realy a bowl at all. As you stand at teh entry point look about 45 degrees to your right. Thats where your aiming for. Your right on when you pass over teh ALOHA in the sand. Break over the reef edge and follow it around to about 85 feet then come back up the face and enjoy the 20-30 reef all the way back in. My most favorite shore dive on BI. I must have close to 100 dives there alone. Even owning a boat there I still chose to shore dive most of the time. Dont miss Puako either. The one big absolute must do dive on the BI is the manta dive followed up by the blackwater dive offered by Big Island Divers. Book early in your trip incase of bad weather. If you have the time/money/ experence level do the back wall of Molokini. The inside is pretty soso but the back wall is world class.

 

[Aloha Mermaid]

I hope it's nice. I just got back from the mainland and heard a report of a south swell for tomorrow. I'd really like to get back in the water. Where are you thinking of going? A guide would be a good idea no matter what. Call Shaka D! He should be able to style you out nicely and you'll definitley enjoy the dives with him. His air is good too, get's it from B&B!

 

[KrisB]

Yeah, that swell was supposed to hit today even, but hasn't arrived yet. And that was the same story yesterday.

The algae balls have mostly dropped to the bottom now, and viz was pretty good at Ulua today... 40-50' on the second reef.

 

[kidspot]

we had about 80' vis for this afternoons dive off Lahaina - quite nice actually

Lots of surfers waiting for waves ... and waiting ... and waiting