Interesting thread
I just went to both web sites and called both shops with a few Q's;
2-tank morning charter is normally $125($55 snorkeler) with Jack's, $120($95) with Big Island Divers. 2-tank Manta is $145($95)/Jack's, $130($90)/Big Island. 3-tank Advanced/Long Range is $225/Jack's, $200/Big Island.
Jacks gives $5 off first charter, $10 off second, $15 off the rest of your charters (any charter). I now realize I should have asked "if I came back every few months would it still be $15 off?"
Big Island gives $20 off AM charters. Night and Long Range are not normally discounted unless part of a multiple trip package, but the cheerful "mate" I spoke with indicated there is wiggle room when bookings are soft.
Renting gear is much more expensive with Jack's, but the serious Kama'aina diver would bring their own gear.
For a quick hit holo-holo trip (same day AM & Manta charters), Jack's is $$255, Big Island is $230.
Big Island Divers Club membership is for
Big Island residents only, bookings are
stand by only, members will be
lugging and changing their own gear and are expected to help out the crew
as needed.
My experience with those shops was back in Nov. '04. Two Sundays before Turkey day I did AM 2-tank with Big Island; better discount was the deal maker, trip was well done. The next Sunday I booked the Long Range and Manta trips with Big Island. When I showed up for the Long Range they did not have the minimum guests for the trip, so they
expected me to go on the normal AM 2-tank.
Jack's did go on the Advanced trip that morning, but since Big Island did not mention they were under the minimum 24 hours before, I could not make that trip. Rubbed a little raw by that, I canceled the night with Big Island and did AM and Night with Jack's.
My only c-card on that trip was OWSI, and my number is only 1 number different from the Guide who checked me in; sort of a bonding moment. I was competent and polite enough on the first trip to gain the Captain's trust, as was one of my fellow day divers. We were the only carry-overs for the night trip, with the same Captain. When we were geared up well in advance of the rest for the Manta dive, the Captain gave the OK for us to go ahead on our own.
I had my still rig, he had a nice video rig and we had at least 10 minutes without the clueless noob's that were the majority of the boat (seemed like 20 minutes, didn't time it). The Manta part was so good I did not care to do the Garden Eel Cove night tour part and happily surfaced with more than 1000 psi (buddy did also).
Before we left the shop that night the video from our trip was playing on the TV in the shop window. Overall, an impressively professional operation. I would not hesitate to dive with either company, the price difference of $5 or $6 dollars per tank is not enough to make much difference, compared to the human interaction factor.
Today's phone calls favored Big Island Divers but in the current economy kama'ainas trying for unpublished deals on multiple trip packages has been common for most Maui operators, and Kona operators are likely working hard to put trips together as well.