New Diver, Free Airline Ticket, Thinking about Hawaii--Suggestions Welcome

[tracydr]

One of my big must sees is a whale on scuba. I've heard them but not seen them except whale sharks. Pretty uncommon. I've seen them close from the top, though on the boat while on Kona, which was amazing. Also from Puget sound.mive seem humpbacks and orcas.
Kona is great in January-March.
I also love Bonaire and Cozumel. Some areas of Florida would be great, too. And don't forget the Channel Islands.
I think, for a first dive trip that Kons or Maui are a great choice. Kona had great dive trips off boats plus some very easy shore dives, if you have a buddy to go with. I did some training while there and its a great place to dive. Perhaps you can do AOW or Nitrox while there. Kona is also a great place for night dives.
id also highly recommend trying to do the night manta dive (amazing) and the night fluorescent dive if possible.

 

[PEDiamond]

as they all said, Kona or Maui...if you base decision on diving only, probably Kona though either is fine...if you want more to see and do, more social life and more diverse topography and environments...Maui without question....aloha nui loa...peter

 

[DiveMaven]

@DiveMaven. Is Winter defined as January on? Will I get to have a humpback swim by me while underwater?

Whale season is officially November through April, so January and February are the BEST times!! You'll get to see one under water only if you're really lucky, and you just never know! We've had it happen once at a dive site called 85, but a friend of ours a couple of years ago had a 15 minute encounter on the backwall at Molokini where one hung out with him when he was on his safety stop. He wasn't about to get back in the boat while the whale was there! We also have 2 friends who regularly go to a deep site on their rebreathers who watched as an entire pod of about 8 whales went by, with 3 circling back to check them out.

Even if you don't see any under water, the topside show is pretty fricken amazing! Watching breaches, tail slaps, seeing them go right under your boat, watching the moms and aunties escorting the new babies....it's all fantastic!

 

[Lorenzoid]

One of my big must sees is a whale on scuba. . .

Don't they just hold their breath?

 

[scottitheduck]

My whale sightings to # of logged dives ration is about 3:8000. Not saying impossible, but ya know.

G

 

[Gdog]

So you telling us theres a chance....................

 

[scuberd]

Maui and Kona have great reefs and exceptional experiences....but I really like the wrecks on Oahu. By the way, we have whales here too :wink1:

 

[PEDiamond]

if you dive maui in whale season, it is almost certain you will hear whales, fairly likely you will see them at the surface and very unlikely but possible you will see them underwater...as Gabe said, not impossible...personally, I was extremely fortunate to have a close encounter with a humpback 105 feet down at a wreck site in east oahu...I am an inexperienced diver, so my ratio is 1 whale sighting to 70 dives.....oh and my whale circled the dive site within 30-40 feet of us for several minutes.......aloha

 

[BuckBuck]

I'd have to agree about the Big Island, and Kona Diving Company.
My wife and I have used most of the compnay's in Kona, and all are good. However, we did find KDC to be a rung above, with outstanding dive masters and crew.
The diving around Kona is great. Warm water, beautiful coral reefs, and good variety of critters. The Manta Ray night dive is also a bonus that you won't find anywhere else.
There is also a lot to do on the Big Island.
I can't see you making a wrong decision here, particularly as you are new to diving.
Have a great trip.

 

[scottitheduck]

Kona Diving Company rocks....... If you make it to Maui check out the guys at Extended Horizons. Of course, we would love to take you out here on Oahu. Any way you roll, diving in Hawaii is pretty awesome. +1 for Gdog and the Dumb and Dumber reference.

G