Shore Diving Maui

[DvrRick]

Aloha! I'll be in Maui in early September and will do several boat dives. I would like to know whether it would be worth hauling all my dive gear along with my luggage to be able to shore dive as well. The extra $10 per boat dive gear rental fee is not an issue for me. I just want to know how accessible (I'll have a vehicle) shore diving is from Kaanapali and whether I would really be missing out by not hauling a dive bag around with me.

Also any personal experiences (good and bad) with local Maui Dive outfits would be helpful. Thank you!

 

[Scottri]

It's worth it. There is some good shore diving on Maui. Black Rocks, Ulua Beach, Five Graves just to name a few. I do 3 boat trips and then a few days of shore diving. I always bring my gear. But I also hate rental gear

Scott

 

[dcuddihy]

Definitely worth it ... Honoloa Bay just a few miles north of Kaanapali is one of my favorites, Black Rock can be a great night dive or early morning (gets pretty busy and limited parking later in the day). Check out http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/Hawaii/Maui/index.htm for other sites.

Don

 

[DiveMaven]

We're outta here in a few days for our 10 night trip to Maui. We're going to do 5 boat charters (3 are our AOW) and likely shore dive all the other days. We've never done shore dives in Maui (last year was our first time diving in Maui), but plan to take advantage of the inexpensive tanks and easy accessability it offers. Plus, Pacific Dive has a deal for PADI members of 5 free tanks in August, so I'm definitely going to take advantage of that....gotta get something out of my PADI membership!

After reading all of Al and Tim's conversations when Al was in Maui last month, I have no doubt the shore diving will be worth dragging my gear. Besides, I'm like Scottri...only dive with my own gear.

 

[Otter]

I'll be shorediving there (again) at the beginning of August. Between DiveME and I, we should have good shore diving info for you to base your decision.

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

Bring your own gear. Dive all you can, some of the best shore diving anywhere is on Maui.

 

[Martha]

Maui has GREAT shore diving! It is definitely worth bringing your gear with you.

 

[Shaka Doug]

Maui shore diving really rocks. I pretty much dive the shores exclusively and have rarely had a bad dive here. Vis can be low, surge can build up and weather can change fast so consider hooking up with a local guide for the best possible shore dive experiences...especially if you haven't been here before....Oh yeah, don't forget you are supposed to tow a 12" x 12" dive flag with you too. The new park rangers should be out and watching for violators very soon due to the new ocean recreation activities permits being put into place July 1st. The last ranger I spoke with told me it's a $44 fine...per diver!!

Have fun and enjoy the warmest water of the year...late August can reach 83-84 degrees at some places!

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

Doug are you saying we have to tow it or can we place the flag out in the sand and then pick it up on our way back?

 

[DvrRick]

It sounds like a consensus on shorediving Maui! Thanks everyone for the input. I'll be looking for those dive reports from DiveMe and Otter. I appreciate the flag warning Shaka Doug. There's nothing like doing something to save a buck and then getting fined more than the original cost would have been.