In Maui right now - Sept 8, 2009 - Dive Op?

[da-gd]

Aloha,

Today is our 1st full day here, staying in Kaanapali. Looking at Ed Robinson, Mike Severns, Lahaina Divers, Maui Dreams and Pacific.

Been to the sites, but thought maybe I'd be able to save some time here. I've been to the sticky's and seen many good recommendations, but not enough recent info.

Looking please your suggestion for the best place for lower ratios (5 or :1 as compared to 8:1), safe record, cool peeps with competitive $. Looking to do 4-06 dives this week (2-3 days)

Thanks for your help.

 

[kidspot]

The only ones listed which are in your area would be Lahaina Divers and Pacific Dive - which happen to be next to each other (across the street) For shore diving go with Pacific as that is their focus. For boat Lahaina divers. Pacific is more of a family run shop, so it has a friendlier atmosphere in my opinion.

Aloha, Tim

 

[muddiver]

Mike Severns is the better of the operators in my opinion, but you have to be at the boat ramp in Kehe at 0-Dark-Thirty to catch the boat. It is a small boat that will only hold six divers, basic food, really fast so no long travel to dive locations. There is always a knowledgable biologist type on the boat to answer critter questions and they always add a discussion of what you might see on each dive. Good times every dive.

I have heard good things about Ed Robinson.

Lahaina divers is easy to get to in Lahaina, more leasurly dock times and very good customer service. I got sick with a cold when I was there last November and had to cancil a reservation, they had no problem with it and I got a full refund. Good people.

 

[diversteve]

Lowest 1st:

Severns
Robinsons
Lahaina
Pacific Dive books you on a boat with someone else - don't know about Maui Dreams.
We did a really good escorted scooter dive once with Pacific off a nearby beach.

Lahaina Divers will take up to 24 but they have a couple really nice 46' Newton's. You'll appreciate that on the ride back from Molokini or Lanai if the tradewinds pickup. Otoh, I've been on their boat once midweek with 9 others. I think I read somewhere recently they cancel with less than 6.

It's a long drive to Kihei from Kaanapali - with traffic it could be upwards of 45mins.

Might also consider Extended Horizons, they're in your general area but go with smaller groups.