Staying at Hilton Waikoloa Village, and had originally planned to dive with Red Sail (on site) because we weren't going to rent a car. But now Mrs. RJP3 decided we SHOULD rent a car so I will be able to escape from the grounds for a day or two of my planned dives.
Looking for specific recommendations for a buddy-less diver who's recently certified. Did OW in Florida in Feb, Nitrox in NJ in March, doing AOW on Maui week before Big Island stay.
Not interested in cattle-boat, rushed dives. I want to dive with folks that are still as amazed at the undersea experience as I am! I'm a newbie diver but I am ULTRA comfortable in the water and in scuba gear.
I understand that traffic down to Kona can be a pain, and I want to maximize the bottom-time to windshield-time ratio. Don't want to limit my choices by distance/time/location too severly, but when diving I will be leaving my wife back at the hotel with two young kids. All things considered equal I'd prefer a boat that is closer, leaves earlier, gets out there faster, etc.
Appreciate any recommendations of folks you've personally gone diving with.
Also, I know several members here are/work for Big Island dive operators - please feel free to PM me with any info that might help me choose!
Thanks in advance - Ray
Looking for specific recommendations for a buddy-less diver who's recently certified. Did OW in Florida in Feb, Nitrox in NJ in March, doing AOW on Maui week before Big Island stay.
Not interested in cattle-boat, rushed dives. I want to dive with folks that are still as amazed at the undersea experience as I am! I'm a newbie diver but I am ULTRA comfortable in the water and in scuba gear.
I understand that traffic down to Kona can be a pain, and I want to maximize the bottom-time to windshield-time ratio. Don't want to limit my choices by distance/time/location too severly, but when diving I will be leaving my wife back at the hotel with two young kids. All things considered equal I'd prefer a boat that is closer, leaves earlier, gets out there faster, etc.
Appreciate any recommendations of folks you've personally gone diving with.
Also, I know several members here are/work for Big Island dive operators - please feel free to PM me with any info that might help me choose!
Thanks in advance - Ray