PADI OW referral dives from shore--where to do in Hawaii or Caribbean?

[JTemple]

There are some good beaches in Maui for shore diving. Ulua Beach, Old Airport beach come to mind. I've seen people doing checkout dives there. Contact Maui Dreams Divers in Kehei, they do classes at Ulua.


Scott

I agree with this 100%! Maui Dreams is my preferred dive op on Maui and I've tried several. Their instructors are top notch, they know their stuff and the sites - which are easy entry for beginners. Have fun!

 

[Heffey]

I just did my OW cert dives in Oahu. Most of the dive ops I checked out didn’t offer shore dives. I think one offered two shore dives and two boat dives.
During my dives the water was not what I would call calm. Let’s just say boarding the boat after the dives was a real rush. It was actually quite fun.
I had a bit of a seasickness issue on the first day but then I did the Bonine the night before and a couple of hours before the dive thing and didn’t have any problems on the second day.
I did my dives with Aquazone and they were great. They have two locations in Waikiki area and offer free pool sessions so that you can have a bit of a refresher before you head off into the deep blue. I posted my impressions of Aquazone in the Hawai'i O'Hana section here on ScubaBoard if you are interested.

 

[JNelson113]

I'm down in Grand Cayman right now having just completed the first two OW with Eden Roc diving. All the dives are being done from the shore. I'm doing the last two tomorrow and then I will be done!

Things have gone pretty well so far. Fully flooding and clearing the mask was hard as I accidentally breathed in some water through my nose and felt a little panicked but managed to keep breathing through reg and passed that skill.

Thanks again for the great advice.

 

[Damselfish]

Glad it's going well. Even though I don't get seasick, I can understand not wanting to have to deal with it on your first dives on top of everything else, there's always later. Starting out on GC is going to spoil you a little though!

 

[ctmax]

I just came back from Maui and did my OW certs with Kapalua Dive Co. They only do shore and Kayak dives. I can't say enough how great this shop is. They made me feel like part of their family and quite relaxed. The diving in Kapalua bay was nothing short of incredible, there was always a gallery of turtles watching me do my skills. My instructor even went as far as to schedule a trip to Molokini crater with Lahaina Divers and she even came with me. When I go back they will be my first stop.

 

[JNelson113]

I just finished my last two checkout dives at Eden Rock in Grand Cayman and I am now a certified OW diver! Woo hoo!

For anyone else who'd like to do the OW dives from shore, Eden Rock was a great spot. My instructor, Paul, was very good too and I would recommend him.

Thanks again to everyone for your advice and encouragement.

 

[H2Andy]

oh boy... learning to dive in the Caymans... you're spoiled now

congratz!

 

[justleesa]

Congratulations

 

[Lost_At_Sea]

Hi all,
Sorry if this has been asked and answered, but I did a search and couldn't find it. I've decided that I would like to do my PADI OW referral dives all as shore dives, because I can get a little seasick on boats and just think it would be less stressful. I'd also like to do them in warmer, calmer waters. Any locations and companies anyone has had experience with, that is willing to do this? Thanks!

I understand you want the warm waters. Check out Roatan off of Honduras. Check into the Inn of Last Resort and Anthony's Key Resort (AKR). Website of AKR
Thoughs two places are really great establishes and have an amazing dive staff.

 

[Scubagolf]

Hi all,
Sorry if this has been asked and answered, but I did a search and couldn't find it. I've decided that I would like to do my PADI OW referral dives all as shore dives, because I can get a little seasick on boats and just think it would be less stressful. I'd also like to do them in warmer, calmer waters. Any locations and companies anyone has had experience with, that is willing to do this? Thanks!

Go to this thread.
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=91539&highlight=bill+hannan

I did my OW certification on Maui in the summer of 2002 on a referral from my LDS with Bill Hannan. All of the four cert dives on two successive mornings were done from a shore entry near Kehei on Maui. It worked out extremely well, and the diving was great!