Where to dive in Maui?

[ManTeeRay]

We're headed to Maui in May and looking for suggestions as to good (hopefully great)dive operators and/or dives there? Good and bad experiences would be appreciated.

Thanx

 

[DiveMaven]

Check out the Hawaii Ohana board below and you'll find oodles of information on this topic.

In a nutshell, the most recommended charter operators to Molokini and in the Kihei/Wailea area are B&B, Ed Robinsons, and Mike Severns. To Lanai and in the Lahaina area are Extended Horizons and Lahaina Divers. Shore diving seems to go to Maui Dreams and Shaka Doug in the Kihei area, and Pacific Dive in Lahaina.

"Must" charter dives IMO are the Cathedrals of Lanai and Molokini crater (both inner and backwall). There's a bunch of good shore diving on Maui, but I haven't done much shore diving there, so Kidspot and Shaka Doug will definitely need to chime in here.

Boat charters are very expensive in Hawaii, so be prepared for spending around $120+ per person for a 2 tank boat dive. Morning charters also leave the dock by 6:30 at the latest, so be prepared for early mornings.

Tanks can be rented for $5 for shore diving, but you must have a float/flag or you risk a ticket...they're pretty serious about it there too. You also want to plan your charters for the morning only. The trade winds pick up around noon and boat diving becomes dicey, with most of the dive charters sticking close to shore for their afternoon charters. The afternoon charters also tend to fill up with Discover Scuba folks, so tend to be more crowded.

 

[ManTeeRay]

Thanks, Tons of info on the Hawaii Ohana board. I should have posted my question there, but, if I had gotten there first my question has already been asked and answered several times. How is the best way to contact Shaka Doug and/or Kidspot? I have seen Shaka Doug's name mentioned several times as far as shor diving.

Still learning the ins and outs of Scubaboard navigation.

 

[Brandon]

How is the best way to contact Shaka Doug and/or Kidspot?

Try sending them a private message. Kidspot seems to be around nearly every day, and Shaka Doug checks in pretty regularly as well.

You could also try Doug on the phone or e-mail: (808) 250-1234 and getmewet@shakadivers.com are two of his business contacts.

Lots of info on his website too:
http://www.shakadivers.com

Link to Private Message:
http://www.scubaboard.com/private.php?do=newpm

-Brandon.

 

[caymaniac]

We're headed to Maui in May and looking for suggestions as to good (hopefully great)dive operators and/or dives there? Good and bad experiences would be appreciated.

Thanx

Definitely.......Molokini Crater, the best is the outside. If you feel you have less ability, try the inside. The best snorkel spot is off Kaanapali Beach at Black Rock.

 

[Peter Guy]

You should answer the first question -- Where am I staying? before going on to the next questions, where do I dive?

If you are staying Lahaina/North, you'll probably opt for one set of shore diving spots (great spots!). If you are staying in the Kiheir area then a different set of spots (also great spots). Although Maui is small, the traffic can be awful and how much time do YOU want to spend sitting in your car?

I'm biased towards the Kihei area for many reasons and, all things considered, that's where I suggest you stay.

If you can't hook up with any of the "native" guides (Shaka Doug, Kidspot or Charley99 come to mind -- or even if you do) you can pick up a freebie "Maui Diving" booklet from a "Maui Dive Shop".

BTW, I prefer B&B's charter but my wife prefers Ed Robinson -- but we both agree they are both very good.

 

[Charlie99]

BTW, I prefer B&B's charter but my wife prefers Ed Robinson -- but we both agree they are both very good.

She has good taste But next time around try Mike Severns -- the ideal boat for someone really into the details of marine life.

ManteeRay, as others have noted, your location on island is important. The 45 minute drive beween Lahaina and Kihei means that West Maui (Lahaina, Kaanapali, Napili, Kahana, Kaapalua, etc) and S. Maui (Kihei, Wailea, Makena) each have their own set of dive ops, shore dives, and dive shops.

Charlie Allen

p.s. I just spend 3 or 4 winter months in Maui, so I'll probably not be around when you are here in Maui.

 

[ManTeeRay]

Actually we are getting a great deal on a condo on Maui. I don't know exactly which part of the island yet. Should know this week and will let you know. Sounds like that makes a big difference. We dove the big island (Kona) last year. Is the diving in Maui pretty similar to Kona? Charlie, do you need to adopt anyone? I'm jealous. 3 or 4 winter months in Maui sounds tolerable.

Thanks again.

 

[ManTeeRay]

Well we are staying in Kihei. I just checked out Mike Severns', Ed Robinson's and Shaka Doug's sites. Will probably mix some boat charters and shore charters w/ Shaka Doug. I think I like Mike Severns from the web site but Ed Robison offers a 4:1 ratio to DM option that my wife would love as there are 4 of us and she likes having the guide close. Actually Mike Severns' 6:1 ratio isn't much different.

Myself and maybe 1 other in our group, usually will go on additional dives that she doesn't so Shaka Doug's option looks like a great time. I think we would be missing out if we didn't hook up with Doug. The more dives the merrier for me.

Kelly

"Swim silent, swim deep"

 

[DiveMaven]

According to their website, Ed Robinsons runs a "no more than" 6:1 ratio for their regular charters and a 5:1 for their 3-tank Adventure Dive. We have two 3-tank Adventure Dives booked with them for the first week of April which we're really looking forward to.

Booking with B&B, Ed Robinsons, or Mike Severns seems to be a no brainer for an excellent dive experience on Maui. You really can't go wrong with any of them.