Hello, I am a new diver, was certified in the Maldives in January. This will be my first dive trip since then and since my wife is pregnant I wont have a buddy to dive with. We are staying in Wailea and I wanted to do a few guided shore dives, mainly Mala Wharf and Black Rock/Westin Reef. Does anyone know of any good operators that do these guided shore dives and if I should book them in advanced/online or if I would just be able to book this all there through the concierge at the resort I am staying at (4 seasons)? I was also looking for a boat that would be able to take me to Molokini to scuba dive while allowing my wife to snorkel while I dive. Does anything like this exist or do the boats only do one or the other? Thanks.
Going to Maui on Wednesday do I book dives in advanced or when I'm there?
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The Mala Wharf is a great dive, it'll be about a 45 minute drive from where you are staying, but it's worth it IMO. We used extended horizons for a guide, lots to see, turtles, fish, sharks and really good experience with our guide. I would book it in advance to make sure they have an available guide for the day you want to do the dive. Blackrock isn't bad but not as good as Mala, extended horizons can guide you there as well. I would recommend you try Makena Landing also, which is very close to where you are staying and supposedly a great dive.
I'm not sure regarding divers and snorkelers on the same boat to Molokini, might be possible but it might be a cattle boat.
I'm not sure regarding divers and snorkelers on the same boat to Molokini, might be possible but it might be a cattle boat.
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Besides Extended Horizons both Tiny Bubbles or Scuba Mike should guide both those dives. If you go with a guide, they'll have tanks but specify you need one - once with another operator our guide just drove up in his car and introduced himself - only had his tank. (we had ours)
If not, you can get tanks at Maui Dive Shop in Kahana Gateway or Lahaina Divers in downtown Lahaina - there's other options also, just two I know of. Tiny Bubbles must have gear rental also, they're in the Embassy Suites in Ka'anapali as well.
The Molokini boats all leave from the Kihei boat ramp so they're all about the same in terms of size/amenities (small) so they can be pulled out daily. I wouldn't take my pregnant wife on one of them - there's not a lot of amenities - being smaller boats they pitch more also. B&B Scuba's new boat is probably the most stable, I haven't been on it.
Look into the big powered snorkel catamarans that leave from Ma'alea - they have amenities for getting snorkelers in/out easier. And they feed you lunch. I'm sure the concierge books them - they advertise island wide. Since your wife is pregnant, the drop at the end of the waterslide might not be a good idea. Pride of Maui is one option - they drop stairs actually deeper into the water on arrival so it's easy to get in/out. Pride also offers Scuba - I've done it. And Snuba if your wife is allowed to do that. PRIDE OF MAUI | Molokini Discovery Snorkeling Tour
Where you're staying, you might want to think about diving locally also. We've stayed just up the beach from the Four Seasons and one of my favorite dives is Wailea Point which I believe your resort is either on or borders. The next big resort north of yours is the Grand Wailea - I'm pretty sure they still have an on-site dive operator - if not Shaka Divers or Maui Dreams Dive Co. both do guided shore dives in that general area - Makena Landing or Five Caves being popular sites about 1/2 mi. south of your resort. The next beach south past the point is Polo, north is Ulua. All good dives listed here: Scuba Shore Diving Site Listing for: Maui, Hawaiian Islands
I like Wailea Beach personally. Around the point there's some lava ledges and we've seen the most interesting stuff there. Once a whole family of cornetfish, always puffers, there's an endemic trigger in the bay and other divers told us they swam with a Manta out there one morning. Supposed to be small wreck out there also but we never found it. Polo Beach I've been told is even better - have not dove there.
If not, you can get tanks at Maui Dive Shop in Kahana Gateway or Lahaina Divers in downtown Lahaina - there's other options also, just two I know of. Tiny Bubbles must have gear rental also, they're in the Embassy Suites in Ka'anapali as well.
The Molokini boats all leave from the Kihei boat ramp so they're all about the same in terms of size/amenities (small) so they can be pulled out daily. I wouldn't take my pregnant wife on one of them - there's not a lot of amenities - being smaller boats they pitch more also. B&B Scuba's new boat is probably the most stable, I haven't been on it.
Look into the big powered snorkel catamarans that leave from Ma'alea - they have amenities for getting snorkelers in/out easier. And they feed you lunch. I'm sure the concierge books them - they advertise island wide. Since your wife is pregnant, the drop at the end of the waterslide might not be a good idea. Pride of Maui is one option - they drop stairs actually deeper into the water on arrival so it's easy to get in/out. Pride also offers Scuba - I've done it. And Snuba if your wife is allowed to do that. PRIDE OF MAUI | Molokini Discovery Snorkeling Tour
Where you're staying, you might want to think about diving locally also. We've stayed just up the beach from the Four Seasons and one of my favorite dives is Wailea Point which I believe your resort is either on or borders. The next big resort north of yours is the Grand Wailea - I'm pretty sure they still have an on-site dive operator - if not Shaka Divers or Maui Dreams Dive Co. both do guided shore dives in that general area - Makena Landing or Five Caves being popular sites about 1/2 mi. south of your resort. The next beach south past the point is Polo, north is Ulua. All good dives listed here: Scuba Shore Diving Site Listing for: Maui, Hawaiian Islands
I like Wailea Beach personally. Around the point there's some lava ledges and we've seen the most interesting stuff there. Once a whole family of cornetfish, always puffers, there's an endemic trigger in the bay and other divers told us they swam with a Manta out there one morning. Supposed to be small wreck out there also but we never found it. Polo Beach I've been told is even better - have not dove there.
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Wait, you're going tomorrow? Maui in Summer? I'd be making a few phone calls today...
DiveMaven
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You'll be missing some great shore diving closer to where you're staying if you only focus on West Maui diving (Mala is a good 45 minute drive from where you're staying). S Maui has some great shore dives (Ulua, Makena Landing, Wailea Point...). Call Shaka Doug or Maui Dreams to set up guided shore dives near Wailea.
I'd strongly suggest you consider getting on a boat for a charter while you're there. Call Ed Robinson's or Mike Severns to dive with a great guide. I'll be on Ed's boat on Friday (yes, this Friday!) and would love to dive with you.
I'd strongly suggest you consider getting on a boat for a charter while you're there. Call Ed Robinson's or Mike Severns to dive with a great guide. I'll be on Ed's boat on Friday (yes, this Friday!) and would love to dive with you.
I'll definitely be doing lots of dives in South Maui, but figured my hotel can help book those and was mainly looking for advice on the best way to do the north, but appreciate advice on dive ops to check out in the South. I definitely have Wailea point, Makena Landing, and Polo Beach on my list. Anyone know the best dive ops/guides that offer dive after 11ish as I like to freedive in the mornings before Scuba since I cant do it after.
wizard2000
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Lahaina Divers is your best all around bet. Large fast boats out of a harbor. No launching ramps with trailer boats. Others are very good, but if you start there you will be happy. Of the smaller outfits, Ed Robinsons in Kihei is tops.
DiveMaven
Contributor
Please keep in mind that the trade winds pick up starting around noon, which will destroy conditions for diving. This is why operators leave at around 7:00am so they're back before noon.
Give Shaka Doug a shout, he may be able to accommodate a late morning start time.
Give Shaka Doug a shout, he may be able to accommodate a late morning start time.
IceGrlEmme
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Just hopped on this thread. I'm looking to do a dive tomorrow morning. Staying in Paia so I think Kihei is the closest. I'm not picky, as far as boat dive or beach dive. Called a few spots and they're already full. Any recommendations for Tuesday morning?
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Besides what was already mentioned in this thread since it had a slightly different focus -
From Paia you're marginally closest to Ma'alea so check with Maui Diamond II which is moored there. Actually Maui Dreams Dive Co. in Kihei books Maui Diamond II also so contact them both for a space on the boat or if not available to see what shore dives they're doing and when - escorted shore dives are a lot of their business.
Also the Maui Dive Shop boat is there but it can be a little more crowded as they feed divers from all their shops there.
Shaka Doug mentioned above for shore diving is Shaka Divers.
Otherwise here's an fairly complete list of the boats that leave from the Kihei Boat ramp - someone probably has space.
Ed Robinson's Diving
B&B Scuba
Mike Severn's Diving
Dive and Sea Maui
Makena Coast Charters
Prodiver Maui
Scuba Shack
Last but not least I believe Scuba Mike dives all over the island. Some of the shore dive operators are limited by their permits though.
From Paia you're marginally closest to Ma'alea so check with Maui Diamond II which is moored there. Actually Maui Dreams Dive Co. in Kihei books Maui Diamond II also so contact them both for a space on the boat or if not available to see what shore dives they're doing and when - escorted shore dives are a lot of their business.
Also the Maui Dive Shop boat is there but it can be a little more crowded as they feed divers from all their shops there.
Shaka Doug mentioned above for shore diving is Shaka Divers.
Otherwise here's an fairly complete list of the boats that leave from the Kihei Boat ramp - someone probably has space.
Ed Robinson's Diving
B&B Scuba
Mike Severn's Diving
Dive and Sea Maui
Makena Coast Charters
Prodiver Maui
Scuba Shack
Last but not least I believe Scuba Mike dives all over the island. Some of the shore dive operators are limited by their permits though.
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