oceanic white tips in Kona ???

Hello everybody !

Can anyone confirm the actual chance of meeting those fab sharks with a fairly reasonable likelyhood (that is...) when doing the so called blue water dives or the long range trips in search of marine mammals, as they avdertise on many local dive shops websites ???

Thank you so much...you know, I am already building the dream trip of...summer 08 !!!

Ciao from Italy.

Elio

P.S. Did anyone go to the magic WALEA (Togian Islands, North Sulawesi)...the next best thing to...Paradise , believe me...

Hello everybody !

 

Can anyone confirm the actual chance of meeting those fab sharks with a fairly reasonable likelyhood (that is...) when doing the so called blue water dives or the long range trips in search of marine mammals, as they avdertise on many local dive shops websites ???

 

Thank you so much...you know, I am already building the dream trip of...summer 08 !!!

 

Ciao from Italy.

 

Elio

 

P.S. Did anyone go to the magic WALEA (Togian Islands, North Sulawesi)...the next best thing to...Paradise , believe me...

The Brothers Islands and Southern Red Sea routes offer you the best chance of seeing Oceanic White Tip, Cheap and easy to do from Italy...

For Kona, i think they see them following Pilot Whales, so it is pure luck if you see them... I think, but hopefully someone who knows can help.

Simon

Thank you Simon.

well I know very well that...but, unfortunately enough, I just missed incredibly last year at elphinstone reef tha chance because we had on board a very famous pro photographer (on holiday, actually...) and the dive guide...I will not say names of either of them...took him for a private session with the shark, and, useless to say, when we other poor normal divers went for it was toooooooo late !!!

Bad luck, also because my wife hates those liveaboards, so I still hope to go there but who the hell knows...while the trip to Hawaii should be good anyway for the whole family. Actually, I am trying to arrange also for a short passage to Fijii, for the shark feed dive...

Grazie, ciao.

P.S. Btw, I saw some pix of longimanus off the kona coast, and I maust admit that with such a crystal clear and deep blue water the scene is quite perfect...

P.S. Btw, I saw some pix of longimanus off the kona coast, and I maust admit that with such a crystal clear and deep blue water the scene is quite perfect...

I think the chances are good IF you can get one of the good operators to take you out. Problem is the operator I used all the time (Dive Makai) got sold so I don't know if they are gung-ho about it now.

I saw whitetips following the pilot whales in crystal blue water off Kona Coast as you say, but I didn't have a camera then and even if I did others on the boat were nervous and wanted to leave.

So you would have to arrange it with a group you know and that might be expensive as Hawaii is expensive.

What is good is that they don't attract them with food (that is illegal in the US) or anything there, a few whitetips always follow pilots. So as long as the marine mammal protection act is obeyed (not harassing dolphin/whale/keeping distance), it is a great place to see them - not responding to bated conditions.

I've always had good luck diving off Kona & I love it, but again my fav operator has changed hands so I haven't been for a couple of years.

Best, Carol

Hi Carol,

thanks for your really encouraging answer !

Well, since its from last year that I started studying the Hawaii, I had already exchanged some mails with dive shops in Kona, and the most inspiring one is Jacks Diving Locker...

Lets see...

This August we are again going to Sulawesi (www.walea.com) and to Kapalai/Sipadan, so I have some more time to better focus the target !

Ciao, Elio

I dove with Jack's Diving Locker last year.

Great operation. If you are there, also do the Manta Ray night dive. That is a MUST do.