Maui

[Kevin Brashem]

Hey guys,

I'm gonna be in Maui February 15-22 and was wondering if anyone else
might be there and game to get wet. Also, do any of you have any good
or bad experiences doing boat dives there? If so, what companies do
you recommend?

Thanks!

Kevin Brashem
425-765-9713

[Robert Halem]

I was in Maui in November and managed to have experiences with four dive companies.  We stayed in Kihei which is where most of the local trips depart.

Lahiana Divers - I booked a trip with them to go to Molokai to see the hammerheads.  Before we left the dock the captain gave a briefing where he said that because of the weather it would probably be the roughest boat trip we had ever taken.  He offered complete refunds.  I took him up on the refund so I can't speak about the diving, but only that they are good on customer service and support.  They also offer trips to Lanai which is supposed to be a good place also.

McKenna Coast Charters - I am a fan of the smaller boats and this one fit that bill.  It was scheduled as a Molokini trip, but when we left the water was rougher than the captain liked for the trip to the crater.  We did a Makena shore side dive first, by then the wind had calmed and we went out to Molokini.  The water was still too rough for a back side wall dive, so we did the reefs end.  Actually, a more interesting dive than the wall.  Well run for comfort, safety and service.

ProDiver Maui - This time we did get to the back wall.  There is no reef or shelf.  You exit from a drifting boat, group up and descend.  It is a straight drop for several thousand feet, so you had better have your buoyancy dialed in.  This is the place to see sharks, rays and other pelagics.  We saw none of those, but there were some interesting fish and lobsters in the cracks of the wall.  Second dive was inshore at a place called Five Graves (because there are graves on the shore, not because of divers).  There are several interesting lava tunnels and caves, at least one of which you can actually surface inside.

Maui Dream Dive Company - I wanted to do at least one night dive.  It doesn't appear that any of the shops run night trips.  I called Maui Dream and they had one of their instructors meet me for a one-on-one shore dive on a reef.  They provided the lights,  tank and weights and the instructor.  We met at the shop, carpooled to the dive site and went in.  Because it was fairly shallow, we were under for well over an hour.  I probably didn't need a guide as the reef is right off Makena park, but since I was alone it made sense.  I saw more interesting things on this dive than on the four daylight dives.  I think there were at least three (maybe four) different species of eel, as well as lots of inverts out of their holes.  I do like night dives....

I guess that isn't much help.  I liked them all and would be fine going back with any of them.  Lahina Divers puts as many as 30-40 people on a boat, but they supply at least one divemaster for every six divers.  All of the shops in Hawaii seem to do guided dives, basically follow the DM.  It is a pretty good system, they know the location of the interesting things and you don't.  I'm sure that if you had your own dive buddy, they would let you freelance, but why?

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Bob Halem
b...@wescraft.com
San Jose, CA

[Kelly Hou]

Agree with Robert. Lahaina Diver put a lot of divers on a boat. Personal
experience wise... I probably wouldn't dive with them again.

ProDiver: Smaller boat which I prefer. They depart a lot faster; didn't take
long time to count divers and collect paperwork. First 3 days were great.
Loved that captain and DM. The 4th day was a disaster though because an
inexperience DM.

Ed Robinson's: friendly, DM, the husband and wife team, knew what they are
doing and where to find good stuff.

Maui Dream: very helpful and friendly. Asked them about shore diving, they
gave me number of a local diver Mitch, said he was always looking for dive
buddies. :)

[Bobinder]

Was there about a year back. We were staying at Kaanapali and Lahaina diver was the closest. Did two boat dives with them. One to the cathedrals ...had seen lots of pictures and wanted to do that. Was a good dive. We had about 15 people on the boat but dove in groups of six. Next day did the live boat, blue water dives to Molokai for hammerheads. The boat ride was extremely rough while crossing the channel. But the the hammerheads were worth it. DMs are good. Would definitely recommend them...especially for the Molokai dive. The Molokai dive is done in buddy pairs. --- On Tue, 2/1/11, Kelly Hou <chia...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Kevin Brashem]

Thanks all for the advice!  I really appreciate it!

Kevin

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