spoolin01
Contributor
BID used to post their daily rental rates online, as did Jack's as I recall, but I couldn't find the BID rates recently, either. I think the standard daily rate is $5 for weights and $10 for a filled tank. I *believe* that Jack's and a couple of the other places charge the same daily rates, from recollection of phone calls to them 2 yrs ago. Jack's also has a policy of free additional fills for that tank, within the same day, if I've gotten that right (it's even possible BID does the same thing - I seem to recall there was some other available angle to the daily charge for an in-day refill, my memory just fails me). I'm also fairly sure that BID has a weekly rate of $25 for the tank, but you pay for all fills after the first - that's the deal we took. They sell a 10 tank fill card for $40, but I don't recall what their single fill rate is. I don't know what the standard weekly discount for weights is, but you should negotiate over it if you think it's too much (anywhere you rent).
The reason I'm hedging my quotes constantly is that BID has several different plans and options for renting various gear packages and I hesitate to quote firm prices.
I can't recall seeing a diver with a float flag on Kona, though the spearfishers use them almost universally. We did see fish and game officers for the first time ever, while we were gearing up, but they didn't stop. It's not uncommon, but far from universal, to see dive flags on Maui, from what I've noticed. We bought one there and used it sporadically - the inflatable type that packs small and light. I've never brought it with me to Kona, but I use it here a lot on the drift line when I boat dive. You can find them at the shops and the Wal/K/Targ-marts - I never asked about rental, but they aren't expensive to buy. The 'marts, and to a lesser extent Longs and even Ace Hardware, carry a decent selection of snorkel, dive, and surf gear - masks, fins, boots, gloves, bags, pole spears. A REALLY important piece of gear for Kona shore diving, in my opinion, is dive boots with the felt sole, which you can get at Walmart for $30 (when they have your size - if you're a 7, 8 or 12, 13, usually no problem). I'm pretty sure they can also be found at dive shops there. I've never slipped on lava or a wet rock since using these (great item if you tromp up the rivers to find the waterfalls), but good luck staying on your feet on the fiberglass dive boat! In a pinch, they sell the Tabi boots that look like dive boots with felt soles for less. They have a divider between the big and first toes, and the seams inside rub my feet raw in several places. I got Sea Sports brand at WalMart this trip, but I think Aeropec makes them as well, and one or two others that you may be able to find online if you don't want to trust your luck at WalMart in Kona.
The reason I'm hedging my quotes constantly is that BID has several different plans and options for renting various gear packages and I hesitate to quote firm prices.
I can't recall seeing a diver with a float flag on Kona, though the spearfishers use them almost universally. We did see fish and game officers for the first time ever, while we were gearing up, but they didn't stop. It's not uncommon, but far from universal, to see dive flags on Maui, from what I've noticed. We bought one there and used it sporadically - the inflatable type that packs small and light. I've never brought it with me to Kona, but I use it here a lot on the drift line when I boat dive. You can find them at the shops and the Wal/K/Targ-marts - I never asked about rental, but they aren't expensive to buy. The 'marts, and to a lesser extent Longs and even Ace Hardware, carry a decent selection of snorkel, dive, and surf gear - masks, fins, boots, gloves, bags, pole spears. A REALLY important piece of gear for Kona shore diving, in my opinion, is dive boots with the felt sole, which you can get at Walmart for $30 (when they have your size - if you're a 7, 8 or 12, 13, usually no problem). I'm pretty sure they can also be found at dive shops there. I've never slipped on lava or a wet rock since using these (great item if you tromp up the rivers to find the waterfalls), but good luck staying on your feet on the fiberglass dive boat! In a pinch, they sell the Tabi boots that look like dive boots with felt soles for less. They have a divider between the big and first toes, and the seams inside rub my feet raw in several places. I got Sea Sports brand at WalMart this trip, but I think Aeropec makes them as well, and one or two others that you may be able to find online if you don't want to trust your luck at WalMart in Kona.
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