This is a fairly common question, and about once a year I update my answer.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/introductions-greets/192448-new-divers-going-maui.html
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For several years I made frequent trips to Maui, mostly staying in West Maui, but diving both out of Lahaina and Kihei. In 2004 I bought a condo in Kihei and started spending 3 or 4 months there each winter. Although I have my own favorites, I do try to go out with the other dive ops now and then just to keep track of how they are doing. Here are my observations and opinions .......
West Maui vs South Maui Where you are stay makes a big difference as to which dive operators are conveniently located. It is a 50 minute drive between Kihei and Kaanapali when the traffic is light, and much longer midday. West Maui includes Lahaina, the Kaanapali resort area, and places like Kahana, Napili, and the Kapalua resort. South Maui includes Kihei, Wailea, and Makena.[/b]
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Maui Dive Op Review
Maui has lots of good dive ops and the old "pick a random name out of the yellow pages" approach will work. Many of the dive ops have a particular personality that make them better suited for particular types of divers.
Harbors and Boat Ramps
Lahaina Harbor and Mala Ramp are in West Maui, just a few minutes from the popular Kaanapali resort area. This is the best departure point for going to Lanai. While some operators do run from Maalea or Kihei over to Lanai, it's a long boat ride that will seem even longer on the return trip after the tradewinds kick up the seas in late morning. Similarly, Kihei boatramp is the closest to Molokini and driving to there is better than taking the longer boatride from Lahaina to Molokini.
Maalea Harbor is the closest departure point to Molokini for larger boats that don't run out of Kihei boat ramp.
Kihei Boat Ramp is the closest departure point for Molokini. Several 6 passenger and 12 passenger boats depart from the boat ramp.
Figure on taking about 50 minutes to get to Kihei boat ramp from Kaanapali in the morning (This assumes you stay on the highway to Keonekai Rd, just after MileMarker 9, rather than going the length of S. Kihei Rd).
Dive Operators
It's hard to find a bad operator on Maui. The choice of dive op is more a case of finding the one that best suits your personality and dive style. The character of the trips is set by both the crew and also what sort of clientele that dive ops has.
Lahaina Divers, departing from Lahaina harbor, and
Maui Dive Shop (Maalea boat and check-in for the big boats; and Kihei outlet store check-in and Kihei boat ramp departure for the 12 passenger boats) are the biggest operators, with multiple boats. Lahaina Divers has the biggest boats going to Lanai and are best for those prone to seasickness. Lahaina Divers is used to working with new and occasional divers. If you are prone to seasickness, then the large Lahaina Divers boats are the preferred trip to Lanai. Maui Dive Shop runs a 1 tank trip to Molokini backwall from Kihei boatramp. Although other dive ops frequently do the backwall, this is the only trip that specifically targets it. Lahaina Diver and Maui Dive Shop are by far the biggest dive charter companies. Since there is not the same level of owner involvement in the day-to-day boat operation that you see with the smaller operators, there will be more variation in atmosphere and how things are run.
Extended Horizons is a 12 pack out of Mala Ramp. The owner often Captains the boat. They spend a lot of time talking to the divers on the trip over to Lanai in order to assign divers to 2 groups by experience level. My favorite dive op for Lanai.
Hawaiian Rafting is another 12 pack going to Lanai from Mala. The boat is not as nice as Extended Horizons ... a lot bumpier ride, and getting back onboard involves more degearing.
SOUTH MAUI BOATS
Mike Severns is run by Pauline, a biologist, who often DMs on her 12 passenger boat. My personal favorite. Outstanding briefings on the flora and fauna you are likely to see on each dive. Pauline is the person the other dive ops go to with their questions about marine life. In addition to the standard Molokini and S. Maui coral dominated dive sites visited by others, Mike Severns often does the 80' sand and algae dives like the tank and landing craft. If you are a fish nerd, this is definitely your boat. The captain and mate go diving during your SI, so you will have a nice long SI. They also do a lot of exploration to find new dive sites. DMs don't rush you out of the water, and I've done lots of 60+ minute dives with them, both at Molokini and S. Maui. Highly recommended.
Ed Robinson Dive Adventures runs two 12 passenger boats out of Kihei boatramp. Another class operation. They tend towards more aggressive dive profiles than other operators. Their 3 tank dive trip typically starts off with a drop down to 130' to either check out some black coral and a shark condo, or to another spot to see some long finned anthias. I've also hit those same spots a couple times with ERDA on their normal 2 tank trips. As with other 12 px boats, they split into two groups of 6 based on experience level. They also have an "adventure dive" trip for more experienced divers. Very relaxed atmosphere where you pretty much do your own thing rather than following a DM.
B&B Scuba runs a 12 passenger jet-boat out of Kihei boat ramp. B&B is the #1 favorite of many others on Scubaboard, but in my list comes in as a close #3, right behind Mike Severns and Ed Robinson. Generally departs a while after ProDiver, but it's a tossup as to who gets to Molokini first. There are usually several DMs and instructors onboard. This boat does well with new divers and infrequent divers. Dives tended to be about 45-50 minutes long.
ProDiver Maui has a full-sized 34' boat run as a 6 pack. 5:45AM check-in, 6AM departure. Often returns as early as 10:30-11AM, which works out well for divers with non-diving spouses. Nice boat, with a head and tons of room for just 6 divers. As with other 6 packs, since there is only 1 group of 6 going into the water, the dive sites chosen must be suitable for the least experienced diver onboard.
Scuba Shack also runs a a 12 passenger jet-boat similar to B&B. Both Capt Darryl and the owner, Charlie, are interesting characters. Due to crowded boat an awkward exit gate, and weird vibes from the owner, it isn't one of my favorites.
Dive and Sea Maui is a 6 pack owner-operator boat. He got a new boat in early 2008, a lovely catamaran. Unlike their old boat, it does have a head, but when I went with them in March 08 they were still clearing up some Coast Guard certification on the holding tank and it wasn't in serve. I had a good time on the trips I've taken with them .... kind of like a day on the water on a buddy's boat.
Maui Diamond II runs out of Maalaea Harbor. I've only been on this boat one time, and didn't return after 2 lackluster dives from the same mooring buoy inside the crater with a DM that seemed to be lost. Maui Diamond II is also the boat that left 8 divers in the water for 5 hours after a Molokini dive in Feb '03.
<Apparently this boat is now under new owner/captain, but I haven't used the new guys yet>
The
snorkel excursion boats such as Teralani and the Trilogy boats offer diving on their excursions to Molokini and Lanai. Often, the divers are non-certified divers doing a "discover scuba" dive, so the dive spots are chosen for depth and safety instead of attractiveness. When taking houseguests or family out on these trips, I just snorkel with them rather than going diving.
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All dive ops will have good days and bad days. Different people weight different aspects of a dive trip differently. Many posts on SB are simply "XXX dive op is great!", without comparison to others. The above comments are an attempt to highlight the differences between the various operators so that you can find the ones that match up best with what is important to you.
Charlie Allen
