Tank rental/fill in Kauai (Poipu/Kaloa)

[leo]

I'll be in Kauai for a week, looking to do some shore diving.
Where's the best shop (for price and ease) on the south side for tank rental and fills (I'm staying in Poipu)? Thanks!

 

[muddiver]

Not much shore diving around Poipu. Rocky cliffs and very surgy coves. Try Sea Sport Divers, I went on a boat dive with them a couple of years ago. They have Nitrox so the compressors should be pumping clean air.

 

[CaboJim]

Sea Sport in Poipu has every thing you will need.

 

[diversteve]

We also used SeaSport Divers is in Koloa. We rented tanks from them and did some local diving. Koloa Landing is probably the best shore dive we did in that area. It's an old boat ramp so an easy entry. We also dove another site nearby but it doesn't seem like it's any listed below - I thought it was Poipu Beach but that description doesn't match my recollection. Ask SeaSport.

Fathom Five also has a dive shop in Koloa. They would've been my 2nd choice. They do escorted shore dives at Koloa Landing as well as a site up near Kapaa and Tunnels - which is a long drive to the north shore. We never dove either of them.

The other choice in that area is Aquatic Adventures. I don't know anything about them. Dive Kauai also rents gear but they're in Kapaa so I don't know why you'd drive up there.

Here are the 14 shore dive possibilities on Kauai. Scuba Shore Diving Site Listing for: Kauai, Hawaiian Islands

I wouldn't try Sheraton Caverns from shore unless you're really good in the water - it's a long way out. Drive by one morning when the boats are out there and decide. Notice FF doesn't mention it except as a boat dive...Good dive though, most of the boat dive operators go there. There's always big turtles out there.

 

[leo]

Thanks diversteve.

Ah, shorediving.com, a little dated, but still I already memorized it

 

[sconway]

Hi Leo!

My husband and I just did our open water certification dives with Seasport and we were really please with them. We did our first two dives from the shore at Koloa landing a little late in the day, and it was quite surgy/choppy. But it was doable for us newbies, so you should do just fine. There seemed to be quite a few shore divers there though. One in particular is there almost every day, per our instructor. We heard whale song on our first shore dive and saw quite a few turtles and eels both times. Visibility was not as good as on the boat dives - the shore dives maybe had a vis ofa about 40 - 50 ft.

We did our last two dives from the Seasport boat at Sheraton Caverns (again lots of turtles!) and Stone House (might have this name wrong). Nice boat (although this was our first dive boat experience - so nothing else to compare it to) and really good crew. Sheraton Caverns is a pretty far swim for a shore dive but a nice site.


I am so jealous! You are going to have a great time! Say hi to the folks on the sunset wall at Poipu for me!

BTW - the Poipu Grill is a few doors down from Seasport Divers in the same shopping complex. Just a hole in the wall - literally, but great and inexpensive for lunch or dinner. Try the grilled fish sandwich. Also, if you like fish, the Kaloa Fish Market has really good local plates and poke.

 

[rromero2]

I have to agree with everyones comment about the dive shop (sea sport) and the local dive spot (koala landing) near poipu. We actually dove this one location for seven days and never got board. The entry is easy and you have choices of either going right or left after the entry point. Both have different features but still not too deep. I think I bottomed out at about 35-40 feet, makes a great long bottom time.

I think you will have a great time.

 

[llqwyd]

Seasports, Fathom Five, Kauai Down Under and Aquatic Adventures can all provide you with air. All are located within 3 miles of each other and all are either PADI or NAUI resorts.

As far as diving, Koloa is one of the choices that you have. Another choice (shallow dive 25ft) is Prince Kuhio's. With some of the best coral and lots of turtles, it is a sure winner. If you don't care about surface swim and have dove in California, you can actually do Brenneke's Ledge from the shore. The entrance has 3-4 breakers and you are looking at a 30 minute surface swim. I am not recommending this site unless you have the chops and experience. I in no way endorse trying to do Sheraton Caverns from the shore. Go with Seasports for this one. They do it more than anyone else and you should have a great dive.