Scuba Diving Charters in Maui

[MauiScubaSteve]

As I mentioned before, for most experienced Maui divers Turtle Town is a snorkel/dive site outside 5-Graves/5-Caves/Makena Landing. Also mentioned before is the source for my information, Franco's Maps. There are Franco's Maps for all the Hawaiian Islands, available locally and on line at the link above.

If Lahaina Divers is calling "a group of sites from Lahaina to Kaanapali" turtletown, arrogant ignorance is another reason not to dive with them. Turtle Town is the normal second site for most of the big Molokini snorkel trips out of Maalaea Harbor. It is also popular with kayak tours and as a second dive for the Kihei charters. It would not be so popular if it was not a great dive/snorkel site.

There are two pipefish in Hawaii; redstripe (to 4") and bluestripe (smaller). They are rarely seen, in small dark holes and mostly in pairs.

http://www.marinelifephotography.com/fishes/pipefishes/pipefishes.htm

Needlefish are common in groups at the surface and are often confused with cornetfish which cruise deeper (near the reef).

http://www.marinelifephotography.com/fishes/needlefishes/needlefish.htm

http://www.marinelifephotography.com/fishes/trumpetfishes/trumpetf.htm

A close read of SB's Hawaii Ohana would reveal that cheapest and earliest are the consensus recommendations for B&B. Other than that there are other recommendations. As with anywhere, you get what you pay for.

Some of Maui's diving is better one season or the other, when are you planning to visit?

 

[KrisB]

As with anywhere, you get what you pay for.

Yup... and one of the most expensive ones (ERDA) gives you an attitude only money could buy.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

I have posted this link before, but I will add some details this time. I was guiding two visitors from Scotland on a shore scooter dive to the St Anthony wreck. One of the ERDA boats was anchored at the wreck. We arrived at the wreck just before the boat divers decended on the site. As I took pictures of the horrible anchoring and chain slapping the deck, the ERDA guide made a minimal change in position of the anchor. I lowered my camera, fully expecting to render assistance in moving the anchor to a proper position away from the St. Anthony. Instead the guide never acnowledged my presence, never made eye contact with my divers or me and acted as if we did not exist. If asked I would have been glad to assist, even though this same guide has treated me with the same disdain while we cleaned dive boats side by side at the Kihei ramp.

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/steveshalemano/album/576460762384646137

I would correct my previous post - With one glaring exception, you get what you pay for!

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

Yup... and one of the most expensive ones (ERDA) gives you an attitude only money could buy.

I hear ya brother

 

[hleighaz]

Forgive my ignorance, but what does ERDA stand for? Do any other sites go to the Cathederals besides Lahaina Divers? I think I am going to limit our dives with Lahaina Divers to just the one unless someone else goes there.

I am already booked with B $ B Scuba We will be going to Molokini and Puu Olai with them. I am excited!!!

 

[diversteve]

Ed Robinsons Diving Adventures

Extended Horizons dives South Lanai(Cathedrals) also.

 

[diversteve]

There are two pipefish in Hawaii; redstripe (to 4") and bluestripe (smaller). They are rarely seen, in small dark holes and mostly in pairs.

http://www.marinelifephotography.com...pipefishes.htm

Needlefish are common in groups at the surface and are often confused with cornetfish which cruise deeper (near the reef).

http://www.marinelifephotography.com...s/trumpetf.htm

Thanks for the links, they were definitely trumpetfish and not pipefish.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

I only learned about pipefish by accident, behind a boxfish in one of my pictures. Spent a while at Keoki's Fishpics to find them.

 

[KrisB]

I only learned about pipefish by accident, behind a boxfish in one of my pictures. Spent a while at Keoki's Fishpics to find them.

Incidentally, I've seen both blue- and red-stripe at Ulua!

Another point of interest... they are related to seahorses... something else I saw at Ulua for the VERY first time on Friday during a night dive!

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

The only time I've seen a seahorse on Maui was when we dove the landing craft. Very cool to spot.