LeadTurn_SD
Contributor
Hello again Adrian,
Based on the above information, you might just want to do all your diving on Maui. It will save you quite a bit of money since you'll be staying with friends.
Good luck and have fun.
TOTAL newbie - Please be gentle
- Thread starter Adrian_london
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Hello again Adrian,
Based on the above information, you might just want to do all your diving on Maui. It will save you quite a bit of money since you'll be staying with friends.
Good luck and have fun.
OP
Adrian_london
Registered
I don't mind going to the other Islands while I'm there.
Lets face it, coming from the UK, it's not like I can just pop over and take in a dive or two and then go home again.
Ideally, I'd like to learn and practise in Maui and then maybe for the last 5 days go to Hilo or other diving hot spots.
I'd hate to think that I've missed out on something special in Hilo that was not in Maui.
Adrian
Lets face it, coming from the UK, it's not like I can just pop over and take in a dive or two and then go home again.
Ideally, I'd like to learn and practise in Maui and then maybe for the last 5 days go to Hilo or other diving hot spots.
I'd hate to think that I've missed out on something special in Hilo that was not in Maui.
Adrian
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One word for our wrecks on Oahu. It's not about penetration, it's about the wild life that is attracted by it. At the Mahi you can see a school of 18 or more eagle rays , Pufferfish just floating with the mast - frogfish and eels, octopus....lots of sharks and turtles at the yo/san pedro and, and, and......each wreck is worth diving just to see the critters that call it home.
ScubaSeanMaui
Contributor
If you are staying in the Lahaina area then it makes sense using a dive shop in that area. If you are in the Kihei area then it makes sense to do your certification down south. As for diving with marine life I would say Molokini has to be the best area for a beginner to experience the awe of diving(but it's a boat dive). The entire are is covered with coral and lots of small fish. It's very impressive especially for a checkout dive... The most important thing after you get your certification is to go diving. I hope your friends dive! If you go on a boat they will escort you on the dive so you don't need a buddy there (they may pair you off and watch you). When you do shore dives you will need to go with a buddy when you are so new to diving. If conditions are gentle, the diving in Maui is so easy!
I'd suggest you find a local shop to get certified with and then do a few boat and shore dives to consolidate your skills. BBscuba.com could do everything for you from equipment rentals, instruction, and boat diving. If you are up in the Lahaina area I would check out Lahainadivers.com since they too are a comprehensive shop for instruction, rentals and boat dives. They have good prices on multiday boat dives. Opinions are very polarized on who to get certified with, what boat ops best, etc... Definitely factor in everything and make your own decision. I'd use Skype and call them up and talk to them. See what they can do for you!
One thing that is very cool for you is that you will be here during whale season. You will not have a dive where you don't hear the whale songs... Amazing stuff!
I hope this helps!
Sean
I'd suggest you find a local shop to get certified with and then do a few boat and shore dives to consolidate your skills. BBscuba.com could do everything for you from equipment rentals, instruction, and boat diving. If you are up in the Lahaina area I would check out Lahainadivers.com since they too are a comprehensive shop for instruction, rentals and boat dives. They have good prices on multiday boat dives. Opinions are very polarized on who to get certified with, what boat ops best, etc... Definitely factor in everything and make your own decision. I'd use Skype and call them up and talk to them. See what they can do for you!
One thing that is very cool for you is that you will be here during whale season. You will not have a dive where you don't hear the whale songs... Amazing stuff!
I hope this helps!
Sean
If you are interested in a longer and more thorough OW class, I'd suggest you contact kidspot on this board. I had the absolute pleasure of diving with two people he had certified. I was amazed to learn that they were on their first post certification dive! Their skills and comfort in the water were exemplary. He does a really good job.
OP
Adrian_london
Registered
I will be staying in Kihei. Are there any places you can recommend to me to do my PADI in that area?
Also, I do not yet have a dive buddy. The friends I'm staying with do not scuba
DiveMaven
Contributor
Check out Maui Dreams Dive Shop or Shaka Doug in Kihei for shore diving instruction (both are highly recommended). If you're interested in boat diving, check with B&B Scuba. This way you'll have an established, reliable business to work with.
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I think Maui Dreams Dive Co. has a divebuddy sign-up sheet at the store. At least they used to. And there's a group of local divers who'll probably see your post. Repost an update closer to your arrival when you've made your certification plans, there's always someone willing to take out a new diver if asked.
If you'll need local transportation, Shaka Doug has the divebus...he's an SB member as is Blesi Varney of B&B Scuba.
There's also a local Kihei/Wailea area public shuttle. I used them once to go from our condo in Wailea to just past the Kihei Boat ramp - where B&B Scuba, Ed Robinson's and Mike Severns all load for boat trips. I found it in the phonebook.
Definitely dive Molokini Crater during/after your certification. It's one of the best dive sites off Maui. Also there's several really good shore dives in the area: Makena Landing, 5 Caves, Wailea Beach etc. Shorediving.com lists options for all the islands. You could also dive Black Rock at the Sheraton - north past Lahaina - maybe your friends would hang around the resort while you dove. Or if they snorkel, they could do that above you there. It's a fairly shallow easy shoredive. The current will push you in one direction so do it when you've a little more experience.
If you get over to Kauai, Koloa Landing is an easy shoredive and Sheraton Caverns is a great dive just off the south shore (boat dive) with big turtles all over. And it's a fun dive, you swim through exposed lava tubes mixed with short covered areas. We used Seasport Divers in the Poipu Beach area. You might find it more difficult to find a dive buddy on Kauai, there's less diving there than Maui so probably book boat dives if you go there.
Any of the dive operations in this post are generally recommended here on SB.
I'd also consider the Big Island, in addition to good diving, they have Manta Ray night dives and the Volcanoes National Park. But since the volcano is at elevation, you can't drive up until 24hrs. after diving or you risk decompression sickness. After diving a month on Maui, you should be comfortable with a night dive. I've known people who've done them after 20 or so dives.
If you'll need local transportation, Shaka Doug has the divebus...he's an SB member as is Blesi Varney of B&B Scuba.
There's also a local Kihei/Wailea area public shuttle. I used them once to go from our condo in Wailea to just past the Kihei Boat ramp - where B&B Scuba, Ed Robinson's and Mike Severns all load for boat trips. I found it in the phonebook.
Definitely dive Molokini Crater during/after your certification. It's one of the best dive sites off Maui. Also there's several really good shore dives in the area: Makena Landing, 5 Caves, Wailea Beach etc. Shorediving.com lists options for all the islands. You could also dive Black Rock at the Sheraton - north past Lahaina - maybe your friends would hang around the resort while you dove. Or if they snorkel, they could do that above you there. It's a fairly shallow easy shoredive. The current will push you in one direction so do it when you've a little more experience.
If you get over to Kauai, Koloa Landing is an easy shoredive and Sheraton Caverns is a great dive just off the south shore (boat dive) with big turtles all over. And it's a fun dive, you swim through exposed lava tubes mixed with short covered areas. We used Seasport Divers in the Poipu Beach area. You might find it more difficult to find a dive buddy on Kauai, there's less diving there than Maui so probably book boat dives if you go there.
Any of the dive operations in this post are generally recommended here on SB.
I'd also consider the Big Island, in addition to good diving, they have Manta Ray night dives and the Volcanoes National Park. But since the volcano is at elevation, you can't drive up until 24hrs. after diving or you risk decompression sickness. After diving a month on Maui, you should be comfortable with a night dive. I've known people who've done them after 20 or so dives.
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ONFLOAT SCUBA
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Adrian_london
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Thank you all so much for all of the great advice.
I'll be printing out this thread and marking up all of the great advice. I'll be making a few phone calls and I'll let you all know what I decide to do and what happens.
I've already decided to wait until I get to Maui to do the PADI Open Water course. I don't see the point in doing it in London as I don't think there is much in the way of open waters to do it in (maybe I'm wrong).
I'm so looking forward to this trip you wouldn't believe it. Although I've been to Hawaii once before, the mere fact that I'm hopefully going to do loads of diving has got me so excited.
I'll be printing out this thread and marking up all of the great advice. I'll be making a few phone calls and I'll let you all know what I decide to do and what happens.
I've already decided to wait until I get to Maui to do the PADI Open Water course. I don't see the point in doing it in London as I don't think there is much in the way of open waters to do it in (maybe I'm wrong).
I'm so looking forward to this trip you wouldn't believe it. Although I've been to Hawaii once before, the mere fact that I'm hopefully going to do loads of diving has got me so excited.
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