diving in Hawaii

Hey everyone,

My wife and I have always wanted to go dive in Hawaii and hopefully will be able to this fall. We are looking at going in November (only time I can get off work) and wondered what people thought about that time of year (if we should try and go some other time etc) and where to go ( I will say now that we would prefer to be somewhere small without all the crowds (leaning towards Kauai at this point). Any thought or observations would be great and first hand knowledge would be great.

Phielan

Been to Kauai 2 times so no expert at all. Only giving what I know.

Staying at Poipu beach is really nice. The beach is not crowded. There is a mix of sand lovers, snorkelers and surfers.

The beach has stretches of sand ringed by rocky outcroppings on each side. This lets the surfers have a spot further out while the snorkelers and swimmers have calmer water. This pattern of sand, ringed by rocks is repeated several times, rather like individual pools with a barrier between. Its quite lovely.

I would not describe it as great snorkeling but it allowed me to introduce my daughter to snorkeling for the first time so that made it special. No coral, just rocks with various fish around.

Did not do any diving either time so have nothing to add in that regard.

The helicopter ride across the island is magnificent. Taking the helo trip without the doors was wonderful for photographs - no reflections. A 12-24 lens was nice to have in the copter. Take an SD/CF card with plenty of space on it as you might take many many photos and its nearly non-stop great views so no good time for a card change.

Hiking the canyon lookout trail at KoKee state park was wonderful. After the first hour, we never saw another person. It was like owning the island.

Been to Kauai 2 times so no expert at all. Only giving what I know.

Staying at Poipu beach is really nice. The beach is not crowded. There is a mix of sand lovers, snorkelers and surfers.

The beach has stretches of sand ringed by rocky outcroppings on each side. This lets the surfers have a spot further out while the snorkelers and swimmers have calmer water. This pattern of sand, ringed by rocks is repeated several times, rather like individual pools with a barrier between. Its quite lovely.

I would not describe it as great snorkeling but it allowed me to introduce my daughter to snorkeling for the first time so that made it special. No coral, just rocks with various fish around.

 

Did not do any diving either time so have nothing to add in that regard.

 

The helicopter ride across the island is magnificent. Taking the helo trip without the doors was wonderful for photographs - no reflections. A 12-24 lens was nice to have in the copter. Take an SD/CF card with plenty of space on it as you might take many many photos and its nearly non-stop great views so no good time for a card change.

 

Hiking the canyon lookout trail at KoKee state park was wonderful. After the first hour, we never saw another person. It was like owning the island.

thanks very much for the information. It is great to hear about the shoreside attractions and will definately keep in mind the helicopter ride!

thanks very much for the information. It is great to hear about the shoreside attractions and will definately keep in mind the helicopter ride!

I've dived Oahu on several occasions and enjoyed my dives there quite a bit. The terrain is a little different as there is very little colorful coral off Oahu, however, very sharky which was great. There's also a ton of octopus there. I've seen sharks on almost every dive at the pinnacles off Pearl Harbor. I've not personally dived the big island of Kona but its on my wish list. In particular there is a Manta Dive where they show up rather regularly. In addition there's this little gem of a dive that would be nothing short of spectacular.http://www.bigislanddivers.com/Black.html I can't speak much to Kauai other than it is the most rustic and secluded of all the islands. I've shore dived Oahu twice...once at shark cove the other inside of Hanauma Bay.

If you go to Kauii, definitely get yourself on a boat to Nihau for the monk seals. Well worth the long boat ride. If you go to the main island, all I can say is that I had a negative experience using Jacks Diving Locker which put us on a boat with a bunch on uncertified students.

Steve

Even the Spain is beautiful place for diving. Just go through below link

http://www.padi.com/scuba/scuba-diving-tri...acations/spain/

granite jupiter

If you go to the main island, all I can say is that I had a negative experience using Jacks Diving Locker which put us on a boat with a bunch on uncertified students.

I, too, had a negative experience with Jack's. I will never use them again.

-Gina

On the big island I have used Kona Honu divers and was very pleased. They set up a separate rinse buck for my rig and they do outstanding manta night dives. They use Newton 46 dive boats and are really set up nice. I recommend them.

Elmer

I, too, had a negative experience with Jack's. I will never use them again.

 

-Gina

Hey Gina,

Interested in your experience with them. Here is my trip report that was posted. Are there any similarities? http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=42090

Steve

PS. Sorry Gina, just went back to the original report and saw your experience posted there and can't delete this one.

Hey Gina,

Interested in your experience with them. Here is my trip report that was posted. Are there any similarities? http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=42090

Steve

 

PS. Sorry Gina, just went back to the original report and saw your experience posted there and can't delete this one.

thanks everyone for all your replies we have decided to go to oahu and dive the north shore there. I will post how everything was and went when we get back.

Phielan

A couple of folks mentioned Jack's Dive Locker in Kona, my wife and I dove with them several times, in 2008 and every dive was excellent. We did the Manta Dive (like a rock concert under water) and Pelagic Magic ( a blackwater night dive, Google it). I'd definitely dive with them again.

On Oahu, I just dove with Aaron's Dive shop out of Kailua and had 8 great dives, including two wrecks (Mahi & Corsair), the China walls (drift), and Turtles (lots of em). Saw my first shark (atlantic white tip), scads of eels and octopi, squadrons of eagle rays (Mahi wreck) and heard a ton of whale song off in the distance.

The staff were great. They kept things light, but professional and they knew their dive sites well. I missed a day of diving hunting for a shop based out of Waikiki. I was trying to avoid Aaron's because they seemed so far away from where I was staying. In the end, Aaron's will pick you up where ever you are, so I'd go with them from the start next time.

thanks everyone for all your replies we have decided to go to oahu and dive the north shore there. I will post how everything was and went when we get back.

 

 

 

Phielan