Shore dives I would recommend:
North Shore (shore dives):
Shark's Cove...to the right of the parking lot go out on the rocks and you can enter through the "elevator" as longs as its flat...or just jump off the ledge. From there if you head along the wall to the right you'll find tons of pukas...also in front of the pkg lot is a beach..but thats where alot of classes go.
Firehouse: Between 3 tables and Shark's cove..parking lot adjacent to (you guessed it) a firehouse. If you go out from there (there is a little sandy path to the right of the pkg lot) and head straight out there is what is dubbed the "cathedrals"..good sized swim through with all the holes and such that the sun filters through..nice. Also a neat night dive as there is always some critters there..not as dove as sharks and 3 tables...never seen a class here.
West
The Mahi (boat dive) wreck. I like go out with Capt. Scotty (used to book through HSA, but I think you can go indep. as well. Small 6 pack. Tekies use him alot.
Makaha Caverns (boat or shore). Ok..not my fave, but a good 2nd dive after the Mahi.
A few other boat dives that I can't recall names, but one was an overhang (100ft range I think)...black rock also as a dive from the boat.
For a shore dive head down to Pray for Sex beach (right before Yoko's). If you go off the finger reef to the left of the beach (don't even bother doing a beach dive here) go straight out and you'll hit the ampitheatre. This is a pretty nice dive...always find lots of cool stuff to look at. Last night dive I did there before moving we saw a helmet conch eating a crown of thorns and then a little tako (octopus) came over and tried to eat the helmet before deciding it was bigger than he was by far.
Blowhole can be a nice dive too, but all depends on the water conditions.
As far as ops, I did NOT like Ocean Concepts (didn't like the owner, found their prices higher than other shops and the selection no where what I wanted and wasn't happy with their service). Now I was a local diver not a tourist so this might make a diff. I used Hawaii Sea Adventures in Pearl City (behind the mall sort of on Moanaloa..by Buzz's). Aside from Scotty's boat for the west, they book charters for the Waikiki dives like the Sea Tiger and the YO (ok wreck dives as far as Oahu goes...the Mahi is better IMO).
Have a great trip!
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