Trip to Hawaii advices

[HaraldGS]

Check with Bubble Below diving to go to Ni’ihau. Expensive trip and difficult to schedule due to weather/availability, but definitely worth going for a completely different dive experience.
And the big island night Manta dive is surreal having this creature that looks like a huge alien spaceship come gliding overhead just inches above. Once wasn't enough, so I did it again on another trip there.

 

[Living4Experiences]

Sometimes people here like to give advice for a question that was not asked. Here's my input.

1) Ni’ihau-Never been there.
2) Black Water in Big Island-Must do. I've done it 3 times.
3) Manta night dive in big island-Must do. I've done it 5 times.

 

[ChrisM]

Hi All
Experienced diver here planning a trip to Hawaii in August, which are the must-dos you’d recommend?

So far on my list I have: 1) Ni’ihau; 2) Black Water in Big Island; 3) Manta night dive in big island

The last two are probably quite commercial but sound worth.

Thanks!!

I agree with the above poster, black water and manta dives are must do. Blackwater is just out of this world if you have not done it. Manta dive, yes it is a circus, but it's a damn fun circus!

 

[ChrisM]

West Maui is very easy to dive from the shore. If you feel comfortable following easily seen landmarks it can safely be done without a guide. If you have your own equipment it will be the least expensive thing you do on the island.

The trip over to the S coast of lanai is worth it. I’ve also enjoyed my trips to molokini, although apparently it’s no where as good as it used to be 20+ years ago.

Off the OP's topic, but what's the best shore diving guide for W and S Maui?

Headed there in a couple weeks and with boat prices we'll probably spend most or all shore diving. We got certified ages ago on Wailea beach, have dived Makena Landing, Ulua, Polo, and Mala

 

[mcohen1021]

Go see the Hammerheads @ Molokai. That was cool, to see them for the 1st time.

Backside of Molokini Crater is pretty badass too.

 

[kinoons]

Off the OP's topic, but what's the best shore diving guide for W and S Maui?

Headed there in a couple weeks and with boat prices we'll probably spend most or all shore diving. We got certified ages ago on Wailea beach, have dived Makena Landing, Ulua, Polo, and Mala

We stay just north of Lahaina when we are on the island. My daughter and I enjoy airport beach, kapalua bay, and honolua bay. She doesn’t like any surge what so ever so she doesn’t like mala, but I think mala is a great dive and easy to do from the shore.

 

[grantwiscour]

My favourites were 2-step 2stepscuba and Dog Beach: dogbeach

Dragging my gear at Dog Beach (Alula) is always a chore...best done before the sun gets really kicking.
A great summer dive with a good chance to see Laverne.

 

[Rick Brant]

Of the three dives listed, only Ni'ihau is a traditional dive -- daytime with a variety of wildlife. It's a great dive, some say the best in the Hawaiian Islands, but it has logistical issues. Talk to a shop early if you want to do it as most boats fill up. You will need AoW and ideally Nitrox. One of the very best dive spots I have been to.

 

[freshenzo]

Niihau is definitely an incredible place, maybe the best in Hawaii, but it is quite a large commitment of time and money. The main operators that head out there are Seasport, Fathom Five, and Bubbles Below. Seasport and Fathom Five leave from the southside harbor, and it's about a 3 hour trip from there to Niihau. Bubbles leaves out of Port Allen on the west side, and it's a slightly shorter trip. Meet time is 6 am usually, and after 3 dives + surface intervals + the ride back, it's like a 12 hour day before you're back on the dock. If you have even a remote tendency to get sea sick, make sure you take your seasickness meds! The ride back is usually extremely rough. But you have a good chance for monk seals, sharks, mantas, etc. plus the topography there is incredible! I've heard Explore Kauai Scuba is also a good option, since they leave out of the far west side harbor so it's an even shorter trip, but I think they only do 2 dives.

 

[freshenzo]

As for the big island dives, you definitely have to do the blackwater and the manta dives! Both are truly unique and some of the best dives you'll ever do. The ocean in Kona is generally really calm, so the conditions are usually excellent, especially in the summer. Manta dives happen every almost every night, and it's an easy dive where you just sit on the bottom. Definitely a bit commercial, with a lot of boats and tons of divers in the water. But it's worth it to do once at least. Some nights there are 40+ mantas, and I've even seen monk seals and dolphins crash the party. Blackwater is a bit more niche, and most shops require a minimum amount of dive experience to sign up. They usually don't run them every night. But it's unlike any other dive, with lots of interesting critters and sometimes things people can't even identify! I would highly recommend checking out Aquatic Life Divers in Kona, they are one of the newer shops but they're less of a cattle car approach and have a more small group/personalized vibe. The day dives are also worth checking out!