Recommendations for Maui Molokini backwall?

[MauiScubaSteve]

Ok, now I am all confused..... geez... make up your minds!!! ha ha ... who should I dive with??

This is just one thread on this subject. Searching South Maui dive charters will give you much more of the same/similar stuff. The truth is an operator who is only decent to good has a hard time staying in business here. Now combine that with another couple truths; even the best have bad days and everybody has different criteria for best.

The only way to truely know which is best for you is to dive with them all, more than just a couple trips.

Here is a recent recommendation from the only SB'er I know who has dove with pretty much everybody.

If you are staying in South Maui (Kihei, Wailea, Makena), your best bet is to take either B&B or ProDiver out of the Kihei boat ramp. Both leave around 6AM, and get back around 10:30AM or 11AM.

This was Charlie's answer to a specific person. He might answer differently given different specifics.

 

[ScubaSeanMaui]

**Hi-jack**

You Maui divers need to do some serious campaigning over there. Your operators don't offer kama 'aina rates. You need to get that going and start a dive club where you have some say in the matter. With the Superferry (maybe), there may be more Oahu divers showing up to dive.

Actually BB scuba does offer the kama 'aina rates... Not sure about the others...

I don't get any free boat dives or discounts from BB... I just like their business...


Sean

 

[KrisB]

B&B has never had an incident in the 18 years we've been in operation.

Not being able to verify the veracity of this or any other similar statement, I'll float a similar one made by Steve Hogan -- Makena Coast Charters hasn't had an incident in the 20+ years they've been around.

I *know* that Ed Robinson's can't make the same claim. Not sure about Severns or the others.

Actually BB scuba does offer the kama 'aina rates... Not sure about the others...

So does Makena Coast. I believe Dive & Sea does as well.

If I remember correctly, if you're OK with space-available bookings (call the night before around 7 or 8pm for reservation), you can get on either of those for ~$60-65.

I don't get any free boat dives or discounts from BB... I just like their business...

Well, I can say that I do get free dives from a number of different operators as "professional courtesy" afforded to local instructors. B&B is an exception to that...

That said, even *not* considering that, there are a great deal of times I've been in their store and not felt welcome. Considering that I'm not really known to them (in a positive or negative way)... I'm not inclined to send business that way.

 

[QQQ99999]

FWIW,and I am no expert on Maui dive operators.

On Maui, I have only dived with Extended Horizons and B&B Scuba. That said, I would recommend B&B as well. My wife and I dived 4 days with them last year and we thought that everything about their operation was outstanding. I recently referred my sister-in-law and two friends to B&B and they returned from the trip very satisfied with B&B. I am headed to Maui in a few weeks and of course (SURPRISE) B&B will be getting my business.

Some of the things I liked about B&B (in no particular order)
1)Extremely friendly and helpful crew (and owners)
2)Low prices (relatively speaking, of course)
3)Early departure/early return (was first or second boat to molokini every day we dived with them)
4) Blesi's sandwiches (and cookies!)
5) Not overly restrictive on bottom times (allowed us to simply dive our computers on the second dives each day)

 

[Scottri]

When you say operators have had "incidents" what are you referring to? Unless the op did something to put a diver in harms way I don't hold an op responsible for a diver having an incident.

 

[DiveMaven]

To me the bottom line on Maui is that it's harder to find a BAD operator than a good one. Pick one, go with it, and have a great time!

 

[ScubaSeanMaui]

Last time I dove with Extended Horizons they had an "incident." No fault of their own, the woman with about 6 dives had a panic attack underwater and we had to head to Lanai City for her to be taken to the hospital but she had fully recovered by the time we were back at Mala. They had to file paper work but it was definitely no fault of the boat op. I think "fatality" or official citation may be a better measure of safety.
The diving on Maui boats is so supervised I can't see how they'd have many incidents. I'm used to panga diving mainly, but all the dive boats back in SoCal are all unescorted dives. You dive at your own risk and are free to explore whatever you want, however deep, for however long, as long as you're back on the boat within the alloted dive time.

Like Dive Maven said, they're all pretty good so you're going to have some good safe dives! Enjoy Maui!

Sean

 

[sea nmf]

My only experience with boat diving on Maui was Ed Robinson. They did not have kamaaina rates at that time. Also, farily ho-hum dives that was blamed on the weather. That was probably true.

Next time I come to Maui (should be February or March), I want to organize a kamaaina group for a boat. Who in Maui would be interested in that?

 

[KrisB]

My only experience with boat diving on Maui was Ed Robinson. They did not have kamaaina rates at that time. Also, farily ho-hum dives that was blamed on the weather. That was probably true.

Next time I come to Maui (should be February or March), I want to organize a kamaaina group for a boat. Who in Maui would be interested in that?

You mean, which boat interested or which Mauians in joining you?

When you say operators have had "incidents" what are you referring to? Unless the op did something to put a diver in harms way I don't hold an op responsible for a diver having an incident.

Yes, that is exactly what I speak of. I really don't feel like getting into great details in a public forum, but suffice it to say I've heard similar enough stories from enough of the locals to be pretty sure of the truthfulness.

Furthermore, as these are divemaster-led dives, any case of DCS (providing the diver followed instructions which usually include "do not descend below the DM" and "don't go up any faster than the DM or your smallest bubbles if your DM isn't ascending with you") becomes the operator's (well, DM's) responsibility IMO.

 

[blesi varney]

Well, I can say that I do get free dives from a number of different operators as "professional courtesy" afforded to local instructors. B&B is an exception to that...

That said, even *not* considering that, there are a great deal of times I've been in their store and not felt welcome. Considering that I'm not really known to them (in a positive or negative way)... I'm not inclined to send business that way.

Since its inception, B&B has always let instructors go free and with their students at a discounted rate.

And no, you don't have to send business our way. It's okay. Really.

It's apparent you don't like Ed Robinson nor B&B. Leave it at that. Get on and enjoy your diving. I always enjoy mine, even on a bad day.