To Maui Soon....

[rossjc]

Hi everyone, I am making a trip to Maui in Jan for a brothers wedding and wanted to get opinions on good operations in Maui area. I want to make the trip to Molokini and potentially do a bit of night diving. Do I have to make reservations now? Are there any easy beach dives for some of my vacation diving fam members? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Charlie99]

West Maui (Lahaina, Kaanapali, Kahana ...) or South Maui (Kihei, Wailea ...)? They are about 45 minutes to an hour apart.

The Kihei boat ramp near the Kihei/Wailea border is the best place to catch a boat to Molokini. There are dive ops that go from Lahaina, but IMO it's a lot better idea to drive to Kihei. Mike Severns, Ed Robinsons and B&B are all popular dive charters.

My favorite dive op in Lahaina is Extended Horizons. Departs from Mala Ramp, usually to Lanai.

There are lots of good, easy shore dives in Maui. Old Airport and Black Rock in W. Maui. Ulua and Makena Landing in S. Maui. Any diveshop can point the way, and all of the many Maui Dive Shop locations have a free booklet detailing dive and snorkel spots.

If you are going to be in Maui the first week of January, then advance reservations are advisable. Otherwise, IMO it's better to get on island, figure out the timing on some of your other activities, and then book a spot. Other than during the super peak periods like Christmas/New Years and spring break, I usually find a spot available even when booking the night before.

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

I always go with B&B Scuba and I send all my former students and friends to dive with them also. So far not a single complaint. Even from people who complain about everything else seem to love them.

Don't go to Molokini from West Maui unless you want a really long boat trip and have nothing else planned for that day. With B&B you'll have great dive leaders and be back to the dock before 10am.

 

[colonelchuck]

In Kihei, Mike Severns and Ed Robinson are both excellent operators. Groups are reasonably small. Severns has excellent DMs who spend considerable time showing you the critters and explaining about them. Robinson also runs a good show. I did a night dive at Molokini and Ed Robinson himself was the DM. He was superb. Robinson's 3 tank advance dive is very worth doing.

I dove with Extended Horizons when we were in Lahina. They took us to Lanai and the dives were excellent. They do take some real newbies, so sometimes the length of the dives were limited. They did allow us to dive our computers by finishing out our dives without the DM near the boat.

Maui diving is a great experience. I would make reservations and then update them a couple of days in advance so that you would be able to dive the days you want.

 

[KrisB]

Since it hasn't really been mentioned, I'll give a recommendation on a dive shop if you're in South Maui (Kihei / Wailea): Maui Dreams Dive Co. http://www.mauidreamsdiveco.com -- great people, lots of fun.

Definitely an LDS and not just a glorified activity warehouse like some of the other Maui dive shops.

 

[Uncle Pug]

I strongly second (or is that third) B&B Scuba in Kihei. They will also point out some good shore dives. I really enjoyed diving Ahihi beach.

 

[in2Scuba Maui]

Hi everyone, I am making a trip to Maui in Jan for a brothers wedding and wanted to get opinions on good operations in Maui area. I want to make the trip to Molokini and potentially do a bit of night diving. Do I have to make reservations now? Are there any easy beach dives for some of my vacation diving fam members? Any help would be appreciated.

If you are looking for some personal attention and awsome Shore diving. I can guarantee you Turtles, the #2 rated beach night dive in the country and great sights all along the Maui coast! You can find more info @ my web site.... www.in2scuba.com

Hope to dive with you!!!!

 

[DiverDebbie]

I recently got back from Maui, and yes, you should definitely get out to Molokini and do the back wall. It was amazing. I'd also recommend getting over to Lanai and diving the Cathedrals as well. Fabulous dives as well. Seeing whales and dolphins along the way is a nice bonus too. We personally didn't have as much luck with the shore diving. Don't get me wrong, it's nice, and there's lots to see, including tons of turtles, but at this time of the year the swell can be up and the surf can get big for entires and exits, and we had some ripping current. Generally it seems calmer at the south end, although old airport beach is a pretty good standby, with handy parking, easy entry and facilities. Might be good to check with someone local (Kidspot, in2scuba or ShakaDoug) about the shore diving as well.

 

[I have gills]

Hey there,

I can recommend Maui Diamond. http://www.divemolokinicrater.com/ 2 for Molokini they are great and affordable. For night and beach dives go with in2Scuba Maui. www.in2scuba.com. They are great companies!!!

Good luck

 

[RobynJ]

Scuba Shack is great! They treat everyone individually and you're definitely not on a cattle boat! Equipment is top of the line, included in the price for diving, super fast 40' jet boat, hot water for showers, good food and have become great friends over the past three years! Go on their website to read just a few of the hundreds of comments at www.scubashack.com! You won't be sorry!