Upcoming trip to the big island

[ScubaJason]

Greetings!

It seems that after nearly three and a half years since I've last jumped into any water warmer than 50 degrees, I'm going to get another opportunity for something a tad bit warmer.

In May, the wife and are going to be travelling to the big island, and I've got the greenlight to go diving.

So my question to everyone out there - any recommended charters, and or anyone interested in any shore diving.

I have absolutely no qualms about diving from shore (in fact I actually prefer shore diving.) I'm looking for small groups with relatively similar pairings in experience if possible. Plus I plan on bringing my camera with me. While I don't necessarily mind being groups with people with less experience, I don't want to be placed with one of those serious divers who dive three times a year, if you know what I mean.

I've been diving for almost six years, over three hundred logged dives in the Pacific Northwest - depths and current don't bother me. Currently I'm PADI Advanced Open Water certified and TDI Nitrox certified.

Any hints and suggestions are appreciated!

Thanks a lot.

Jason

 

[Hawaii Scuba Divers]

I am sure if you need will be able to help you with Diving just let me Know how many days you would like to dive and If you would like to do boat dives as well as shore dives.

 

[friscuba]

Greetings!

It seems that after nearly three and a half years since I've last jumped into any water warmer than 50 degrees, I'm going to get another opportunity for something a tad bit warmer.

In May, the wife and are going to be travelling to the big island, and I've got the greenlight to go diving.

So my question to everyone out there - any recommended charters, and or anyone interested in any shore diving.

I have absolutely no qualms about diving from shore (in fact I actually prefer shore diving.) I'm looking for small groups with relatively similar pairings in experience if possible. Plus I plan on bringing my camera with me. While I don't necessarily mind being groups with people with less experience, I don't want to be placed with one of those serious divers who dive three times a year, if you know what I mean.

I've been diving for almost six years, over three hundred logged dives in the Pacific Northwest - depths and current don't bother me. Currently I'm PADI Advanced Open Water certified and TDI Nitrox certified.

Any hints and suggestions are appreciated!

Thanks a lot.

Jason

The diving here is easy compared to back home in the PNW (I'm from Oregon). A huge tidal exchange is 3 feet, typical is more like 12-18 inches.

If you can get yourself down to the Place of Refuge by 9:00-10:00, there will be plenty of divers in the area over the course of a couple hours for you to hook up with. I used to go down there when I first moved here and only had maybe one or two people refuse me tagging along. If you are an experienced solo diver, it's an easy spot.

All the Kona dive operators are pretty good about taking care of their customers. You might find a couple who limit times or use smaller tanks than 80's, so it doesn't hurt to ask about dive profiles or time limits if getting a full dive in is a concern.

Have fun,

 

[ScubaJason]

Thanks.

I've been reading here and have got a few ideas of some charters to look into. I'd love to be able to find someone to dive with in the mornings (since the wife has already said I can go diving in the morning if I wanted to.)

 

[NW_DiverDude]

Jason - I would have to agree with FriScuba in that "Place of Refuge" is a great place for you to start your Hawaiin shore diving experience.

I too am a Pacific Northwesterner and have dove several locations around the Hawaiin islands. Place of Refuge is a very easy entry with lots of interesting coral head formations, fish of every color imagineable, and lots of sea turtles.

Another location you may be interested in that is a bit more challanging by Hawaii standards, but still mild compared to the San Juan islads or Neah Bay, would be shore diving in an area known as the "old airport" - a ways north of Kona. I found the entry to be quite fun as you need to time your entry and exit on the surge as it goes in and out of small lava canyons. I found the vis to be really good here vs. Place of Refuge and the odds of seeing any Palagics is much higher as it drops pretty deep. I found a nice "bed" of garden eels at about 100 feet.

Personnally I am not much for "canned" dive excursions that take you to some marine spectacle but from Kona I did go ahead and take a night boat dive out to where some Manta Rays routinely congregate and it was an absolute awsome experience - highly recommended if you have never had the giant rays swim right at your face with their mouths wide open collecting plankton as they gently cruise by.

Enjoy your trip!!!


NW_DiverDude (Ray)

 

[ScubaJason]

When I went to Maui in 2002, I "missed" out on the canned diving and was fortunate enough to dive with a guy from a local shop there for a whole weekend (two dives a day.) It was perfect - I got to see lots of different sealife and just had a blast.

I'm a little worried about the canned experiences - so I'm hoping/planning to find some people to dive with at Place of Refuge and splurge on one boat trip or something, or maybe just a night dive.

Thanks for the suggestions Ray!

 

[Cacia]

don't miss the manta night dive! it is a very memorable experience. If you are going to do just one boat dive, that would be a good one.

 

[ScubaJason]

The manta dive does sound great. I need to start getting more definite information gathered here pretty soon - it's only a hair over a month before I go.

 

[gracefulc]

I just got back from a week in Kona (March 22 - 28) and did 10 dives over 4 days with Kona Honu. Highly recommend them and if you do ANY boat dives, doesn't matter who you go with, you absolutely MUST do the manta ray night dive. Likely the most amazing dive I have ever done and it is just indescribable. So beautiful.... Conditions for diving were great despite the occasional rainshower; the big island is being spared the worst of the rain, so you're going to the right island!