Manta night dive, I went with Jacks and had a great time.
Only one dive in Hawaii (Big Island). Where?
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Exactly!
Alberto, If you must only do one dive this is the one. No question. Jacks has a great reputation as does Big Island Divers. BID uses a smaller boat but either operation will provide you with a dive of a lifetime.
Also, since you are going to snorkel with the lovely wife, book a dive with Fair Winds, They are the only commercial operation that takes snorklers to Kealakekua Bay, Cook Monument. You both will enjoy the trip.
Have fun and we expect a full report!
The manta ray night dive is a world class dive and should not be missed.... as someone mentioned earlier it's more than just a great dive experience, it can be an adventure of a lifetime, especially for the snorkeling crowd that doesn't get to experience the water like the divers do. But don't fall into the trap that some people seem to fall into based on the hype - that it's the "only" dive to do in Kona, it's not.... Kona's got lots of great sites for daytime diving. Unlike some places that have a single premiere divesite, there isn't any one "best" dive site here, there are many very good sites that'll qualify as examples of great Hawaiian dive sites. Most of the dive operators here are pretty good at checking on what you want to see and take into account both the conditions of the day and what the other divers have already done and then try to make a great dive happen.
You're going to have a great time in Kona. Have fun!
You're going to have a great time in Kona. Have fun!
jdubdiver
Contributor
Manta ray night dive for sure, you can scuba and she can snorkle or u guys can both snorkle, if the mantas show up everyone gets a spectacular show. You and your wife will Love Honaunau AKA Two Step. Excelent for SCUBA and Snorkleing. I enjoyed using Big Island Divers for the Manta dive and I went down and dove with South Kona Scuba at Two Step. You can make a nice day of it at Two Step scuba, snorkleing, and you can also go to The Place of Refuge which is a very cool place, The Big Island is a very cool place in general, history everywhere, very laid back, enjoy your trip.
I have to agree with my dear sweet husband. The Manta dive is absolutely a must! Your wife can snorkle while you dive and you both can have a marvelous time.
In addition, it was Fairwinds that introduced me to "snuba" and ultimately motivated me to take up scuba. I just loved the boat and the crew is really fun. There was a marine biologist named Bryce on the boat when we went that took great video and just livened the whole experience. I don't know if they still offer snuba, but if they do, perhaps you can convince your wife to try?
Have a perfectly wonderful time on the Big Island!
In addition, it was Fairwinds that introduced me to "snuba" and ultimately motivated me to take up scuba. I just loved the boat and the crew is really fun. There was a marine biologist named Bryce on the boat when we went that took great video and just livened the whole experience. I don't know if they still offer snuba, but if they do, perhaps you can convince your wife to try?
Have a perfectly wonderful time on the Big Island!
OP
Thank You all for responding.
I guess the night dive (or snorkeling) with the Mantas is the winner
I will have to put - by mistake - the lights too in my luggage
And of course I will write a nice report .... and maybe I will even make it into a virtual dive .... but this will take some time to prepare.
Now I have to pick the dive operator ..... which one?
They all seem very professional ..... difficult choice.
Regards,
AM
I guess the night dive (or snorkeling) with the Mantas is the winner
I will have to put - by mistake - the lights too in my luggage
And of course I will write a nice report .... and maybe I will even make it into a virtual dive .... but this will take some time to prepare.
Now I have to pick the dive operator ..... which one?
They all seem very professional ..... difficult choice.
Regards,
AM
OP
I am back to SoCal form my trip to TBI (The Big Island ... as some locals call it) and I am ... exhausted!
Got to Kona on Wed. afternoon and rented right away a bright yellow jeep ... my wife wanted to "discover it all" ... and I ended up driving a LOT!!!
This island is amazing .... if I am not mistaken it has 5 (or 7?) climatic zones ... it makes its own weather indeed.
We saw the vulcanos (and walked 3 hours on the lava bed ... and had to hitch a ride from a cop because my knee was really bothering me).
We went to visit the falls and the tropical forest of the rainy Hilo via the saddleback pass (and saw a rainbow in the middle of a cloud ... we were standing IN the cloud)
We drove down the steep road to the Waipi'o valley (don't tell this to the rental car company).
We took pictures standing on the southern point of the USA and then up on the northern point of Hawaii looking at the majestic Maui.
We took pictures in front of the smallest dive shop (I ever saw) in the US - located in Hawi.
We snorkeled at Mahukona, Waialea and Hapuna. We almost snorkeled at Makalawena (that was a long nasty ride ...)
And ... I managed to get a couple of dives too.
Unfortunately I could not make the Manta Ray dive at night (so I have an excuse to come back).
Initially I was planning to hook up with a local expert (redrover), but that did not work out :depressed:
So I dove with Jack's Diving Locker operation. Nice boat and nice group.
Since I was the only certified diver on the boat the selected dive sites were kind of shallow, but I had the pleasure to have a DM (Steve) fully dedicated to me and so I could dive at my own leisure / pace.
First dive was at Golden Arches were we saw several eels - including a big one free swimming.
Second dive was at eel's cove were we saw NO eels :depressed: ... but there were tons of fishes - especially on the shallow cove.
I was very impressed by how close to shore and how fast the floor drops down. I really need to get me some good bathymetry of the island.
All in all it was a nice break from work and a very good way indeed to celebrate our 26th anniversary.
Will be back soon to check out some underwater lava tubes and the mantas.
Best Regards,
AM
Got to Kona on Wed. afternoon and rented right away a bright yellow jeep ... my wife wanted to "discover it all" ... and I ended up driving a LOT!!!
This island is amazing .... if I am not mistaken it has 5 (or 7?) climatic zones ... it makes its own weather indeed.
We saw the vulcanos (and walked 3 hours on the lava bed ... and had to hitch a ride from a cop because my knee was really bothering me).
We went to visit the falls and the tropical forest of the rainy Hilo via the saddleback pass (and saw a rainbow in the middle of a cloud ... we were standing IN the cloud)
We drove down the steep road to the Waipi'o valley (don't tell this to the rental car company).
We took pictures standing on the southern point of the USA and then up on the northern point of Hawaii looking at the majestic Maui.
We took pictures in front of the smallest dive shop (I ever saw) in the US - located in Hawi.
We snorkeled at Mahukona, Waialea and Hapuna. We almost snorkeled at Makalawena (that was a long nasty ride ...)
And ... I managed to get a couple of dives too
. Unfortunately I could not make the Manta Ray dive at night (so I have an excuse to come back).
Initially I was planning to hook up with a local expert (redrover), but that did not work out :depressed:
So I dove with Jack's Diving Locker operation. Nice boat and nice group.
Since I was the only certified diver on the boat
the selected dive sites were kind of shallow, but I had the pleasure to have a DM (Steve) fully dedicated to me and so I could dive at my own leisure / pace.First dive was at Golden Arches were we saw several eels - including a big one free swimming.
Second dive was at eel's cove were we saw NO eels :depressed: ... but there were tons of fishes - especially on the shallow cove.
I was very impressed by how close to shore and how fast the floor drops down. I really need to get me some good bathymetry of the island.
All in all it was a nice break from work and a very good way indeed to celebrate our 26th anniversary.
Will be back soon to check out some underwater lava tubes and the mantas.
Best Regards,
AM
Alberto, I glad you had a great time on the BI. It truly is an amazing place to visit and dive. Too bad you were unable to do the manta dive but like you said, it gives you one more reason to return! I love diving Kona and am planning to return as soon as possible. I hope your knee feels better!
BTW, Where are the pictures?
BTW, Where are the pictures?
L
Lopaka
Guest
Golden Arches is a fairly tame dive, but still very cool. THe arches make for some great photo opportunities. Last time I dove there, IIRC, we saw tako, eels (of course), stonefish, frogfish, etc.
Hoovers is another great tame spot that does not get visited all that much.
Yeah, the dropoff is wild if you have not seen that before. Staring out at the abyss and wondering what is swimming out there...........
OP
Knee is getting better. Next week I have another appointment with a specialist ... I guess I am getting old .... but as long as I can dive AND ride my 1098 ... life is good
I am a TERRIBLE photographer .... and I even forgot to bring the UW camera with me :depressed: .... but I have some nice topside pictures ...
Me and a Turtle
Lot of smoking here ....
For the friends at SOCDC ....
See you in the water soon
Regards,
AM
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