Maui OW Referral Dive suggestions

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Interested in suggestions for which Dive companies we should do our Maui Referral OW Dive Certification with?

My husband, myself, daughter aged 13, and son aged 11, have finished our SSI Scuba courses. We will be going to Maui on 2/18/14 and plan to get a referral to do our OW certification. We will be staying between Kaanapali and Kapalua and will have a car. We have the basic equipment (mask, fins, snorkel) but no BC.

I thank you for any suggestions you can offer.
 
It's a real short list if you want to stay with SSI: Maui Dive Shop. They're the only SSI facilities on the island. Maui Dive Shop | Maui Scuba Diving

They have a shop at Kahana Gateway Mall between Kaanapali and Kapalua. They rent everything you need. They also have a shop in Lahaina Gateway Mall but their shop in Kaanapali is just a kiosk so they don't rent dive gear there. Maui Dive Shop Locations | Dive Shops on Maui | Maui Dive Stores | Surf Stores on Maui

If they include boat dives with their cert dives or you decide to dive with them later - they have a big boat moored at Ma'alea Harbor so you'll need the car.

If you get a referral to a PADI shop - which all the others on the island are - you'll possibly be issued a PADI card from that instructor. And probably have to do some residual skills checkouts first. All of which takes time/costs more.

After you're certified, I recommend Lahaina Divers for beginning divers in West Maui. They have the largest boats and will dive either Molokini or Lanai - the two signature dive areas. They put a DM in the water for every 8 divers and you'll be grouped with any other new divers.

They also do escorted shore dives most afternoons on demand. So does Tiny Bubbles Scuba nearby. One of the better shore dives in that area is Kapalua Bay - Kapalua Divers does that as an escorted dive also.

Another easy entry dive nearby is Kahekili (Old Airport) Beach. It's shallow for a really long way out. Used to be a sugar cane loading station so to the south in about 20' there's some debris left over - look in the pipes, bottles etc. for Octopus.

Later in the week maybe drive down to Wailea and dive with Maui Dreams Dive Co. or Shaka Divers - some of the better dives are in that area. Wailea Beach would be an easy entry dive that gets good near the south point at about 40'. You'll see puffer out there, humuhumu.... triggerfish and occasionally a Manta Ray glides by. Makena Landing is pretty simple to access also. Go really early for parking - like 6-7am if you can. Especially on the weekend.

Should you decide to strike out on your own to shoredive, you'll need to tow a flag - it's the law. I've never seen anyone check in West Maui but I have seen the DLNR agents at Wailea and Makena Landing.

I assume at least your son is going to have the Jr. OW designation so all the dives I've mentioned have a lot to see above 60'. He'll also be able to dive inside Molokini Crater easily if you go out there with Lahaina or one of the Kihei operators. I can't remember the depth at the Cathedrals off Lanai but newer divers do them also. I did my first time on dive #12.

Sheraton Black Rock could be another easy dive in the Kaanapali area - it's been years since I was there. There's been a recent change in tank availability from the on-site operator - I believe they only rent to guests now. So check with one of the other dive operators when you're there to see how to access it. You can also go in from the north side if someone shows you how - the gear drop is actually just off the golf course.

I'm going to suggest you pass on Olawalu this time. Tiger Sharks are occasionally seen there. You're not their prey but it can be a little disconcerting to see a 15' shark cruising nearby.
 
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Hi,

It's been a few years since we dove Maui, but maybe these suggestions will help.

Since you are staying in the Kaanapali/Kapalua area, Lahaina Divers are the closer of the two shops I would recommend: Scuba Dive Lanai, Molokini, Molokai, and Maui | Lahaina Divers

The other shop is Ed Robinson, but they will be a farther drive--and, usually, a bit earlier in the AM: Maui Scuba Diving :: Scuba Instruction

You can get your Cert with either one. We tended to prefer Ed Robinson's operation for our dives, but as I mentioned earlier, we have not been back to Maui for several years.

At this point, I think both will accept your classroom training--no matter which organization conducted it. However, I believe your Cert will be PADI. Check with them by email or phone.

Have fun and Aloha nui loa!

joewr
 
We did our OW with Lahaina Divers since they have a boat option for the training dives. We thought they did sucha a great job that we went back for our AOW a year later. We still dive with them to Lanai and enjoy watching the quality of their instruction when they have students. Great equipment, great boats, and great staff. You can't go wrong with them.

if you were in the Kihei area I would have recommended either Jeffrey at Ed Robinsons, Sam at Maui Dive Shop, or anyone at Maui Dreams.
 
Aloha


Excuse me from stop laughing at some of the stuff I just read. I'm an instructor on the west side (Lahaina). If you bring a universal referral most any dive shop can complete you Universal referral form. Biggest thing to remember you get what you pay for. Some companies will just walk you though the referral course and give you your certification. Then there are some companies that will educate you and show you what Maui has to offer which can be amazing. The only thing I would really recommend is find a company that limits their classes to 4 people. Which is better for you in a couple of ways. One you get better instruction and you will become better divers. Two you have an 11yr old which can require an additional Instructor and additional cost. If interested I could point you in the right direction. Don't worry about what dive sites you go to for referral, worry about a good instructor. Not to many bad dive sites in Maui anyway. Last thing to remember all instructors have opinions and you choose which ones to believe. Enjoy your pool sessions.

---------- Post added November 8th, 2013 at 11:32 AM ----------

Aloha

Let you know if they come with a SSI Universal referral. PADI instructor can sign this off but the certification would still be SSI. The family would return with the universal referral completed to their local dive shop. The local dive shop where they did the pool work would finish the paper work for their certification card.
 
Ed Robinson's Diving Adventures has done many SSI referrals and faxed back the paperwork to referral store to get SSI numbers. Cost is $249.99 which includes 4 open water dives. Classes are limited to 4 as well.
 
Thank you all for your suggestions. I have an update that I think is important. I reserved with Maui Dive Shop on January 9th since they are the only SSI shop and have a location in Lahaina, completing their health forms and paying the $1,250 for 4 divers. Yesterday, 2/7, I received a call from Maui Dive Shop asking the ages of the kid's and wanting us to fax in our class paperwork to make sure it was done correctly. All made sense. But then they asked about the health form which they have had for a month. They then informed me that they have a policy not to certify anyone that checks the box for wheezing and asthma. So they cancelled our certification and we leave for Maui in 6 days. I honestly think it's because they didn't have the correct dive master to student ratio since my son would require a 2-1 ratio. I have contacted Ed Robinson's Dive Shop in the hopes they have openings. They are supposed to call back today. I should have gone with your suggestion to begin with and I wouldn't be in this situation so close to departure.
 
Jeffery from Ed Robinson's graciously and efficiently has fit us into their schedule on the exact days we wanted. And they are over $200 cheaper and perform their dives in the morning which is calmer water from the research I have conducted. We are thrilled with the service so far. I will post about our actual training when we return. But so far, I can see why Ed Robinson's gets such glowing reviews.
 

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