rottielover:
HELP!
Our coz trip is canceled... My travel agent managed to find us a trip to Maui near a place that starts with Kaa something....
I need Dive Op suggestions quick! We'll be there Monday thru sunday, so diving would most likely be Tue, Wens, Thrus, Friday ... SI on Sat and Leave on sunday
I was hoping that we could do our PADI AOW on this vacation if at all possible, I mean after all I was planning a week of unlimited shore diving and 5 days of 2 tank dives
oh well....
Any quick help appricieated! PM me if you wish!
I saw that coming, no matter what they were telling you there was no way you would have been able to go there Sunday with the pounding Coz is taking. And nothing would be functioning even if you did get there.
The first thing to understand is that Lahaina is about 45min. from Kihei. Most of the diveops are based either in Lahaina or Kihei. So start with the Lahaina based ops. first and see who has availability. If this was summer or winter you'd probably be out of luck, but things will be slower now.
Another thing to be aware of is that the boats leave pretty early in the morning to get two dives in before the tradewinds kick up the waves in the afternoon. So generally you'll be done diving before noon. Downside is that if you have to drive to Kihei, you'll be getting up around 5am to get there for the 6-6:30 departures.
Here's the list:
Lahaina area:
Extended Horizons:
http://www.scubadivemaui.com/#menu
Lahaina Divers:
http://www.lahainadivers.com/
Maalea area(about 20min south):
Maui Dive shop:
http://www.maui.net/~robinson/erd1.htm
Note: There's a Maui Dive shop in Lahaina, but their boat is based in Maalea.
Kihei area(about 45min south):
B&B Scuba:
http://www.bbscuba.com/
Mike Severns Diving:
http://www.mikesevernsdiving.com/
Ed Robinsons:
http://www.mauidiveshop.com/
In Lahaina I'd dive with Extended Horizons first then Lahaina Divers. Although I've gotten lucky mid-week with LD and not had more than about 12-14 on their big boat.
Maui Divers is going to be more beginners/cattleboat diving. Also their staff can be less than attentive at times.
If you want to drive to Kihei, my first choice would be Ed Robinson's. I've also read good things about Severns/B&B just haven't dove with them yet.
You want to dive the Cathedrals at Lanai from Lahaina and Molokini crater from either Lahaina or Kihei. If you've the experience, do the backside of Molokini. You may find that it's faster to actually drive down to Kihei and get on a boat for Molokini than it is from Lahaina.
Look at Shoredive.com for all the better shore options. We liked Airport Beach up near Lahaina. Also Black Rock at the Sheraton is a good dive. Rent an 80 from someone in Lahaina before you go there, their diveshack only rents AL63's at a premium price.
Although it probably can't be helped due to the short notice, know that you're booked into the most touristy and busiest part of Maui. So get a car and drive down to Kihei/Wailea and also north to Kapalua, it's a lot different.
Also imho, the parasailing and the jetski's were overrated. And skip the sub, you'll see better stuff diving. If you have a whole day to kill and feel adventurous, drive the Road to Hana, it's old Hawaii at it's uncivilized best. Also the Helicopter rides are worth it, they take you into the craters and over parts of Maui you can't get to any other way, there's no roads or trails yet - not cheap though.
Make the drive to the Maui Ocean Center near Maalea, it's worth a trip. And for $200 you can dive their shark tank with the Tiger if you want.
Have fun, the water should be great this time of year. It was really clear when I wat there in October a couple years ago and I just heard from kidspot on this board that he had 200' viz the other day.
We rented tanks at the Sheraton, which were expensive ($15 for an AL63) but extremely convenient. But you can get tanks at Maui Dive Shop in Whaler's Village for $8 easily enough.
