Here's more misinformation about the Ahihi partial closure. Like I said I don't think it's worth diving but if you really want to try it you should do it.
You're right -- that site contains further misinformation. Fishbowl and Aquarium are not closed -- but the land surrounding them *is*. So, while you can't hike into them, according to the rangers, you can still access them from the ocean legally. Just don't set foot on the land.
As for being worth diving... that's very dependent on conditions. And, in general, I'd tend to agree. Though I suppose I should try finding a day to judge it on in the winter, as the south swells will usually abate for a while.
You guys rock! Let me pose this question. What are the best night dives? I've done Black Rock several times and it's great but we're looking for a site with more adventure.
Has anyone ever dove Makena / 5 Caves / Old Airport as a night dive? Are these sites too dangerous at night? I don't want to put our group at risk but would certainly like to increase our chance of seeing Mantas and Eagle Rays.
I've done Makena Landing (essentially the same site as 5 Caves/ 5 Graves, just a different entry). I don't think that any of these sites necessarily increase the chance of seeing rays -- at the moment there's only one spot that I know of that you can reliably see manta rays, and it's a cleaning station that they frequent in the afternoon.
I think the park may be closed at Old airport (but I don't want to spread any misinformation!). People dive Makena at night a lot. I really enjoyed a few night dives on the finger out from the 5 graves entry... I think the parking lot may close at Makena too (sorry I am not ABSOLUTELY sure) but just park on the road.
You'll find that, technically, all the beach parks close by 8 or 9pm. Some have gates on the parking lots (e.g. Makena Landing, Wailea, Airport beaches), some don't (e.g. Ulua). Some of these gates are far enough away from the beach that you can't just park outside (e.g. Wailea Beach), but some of them don't really restrict access to the water (e.g. Makena Landing).
I've heard of many people doing Airport beach as a night dive. You will want to visit it during the day to decide if the hike from the gates is to your liking.
Although Ukumehame is a known area where they congregate... I'd be a little scared diving it at night since there is nothing around... no lights on shore... but if you are brave go for it!
I haven't heard of people going there at night (by boat or shore) -- do the mantas hang out there then, too? I've only heard of them really being there in the afternoon... even the morning it's pretty sparse, apparently.
If you *do* go there at night, make sure to leave someone by your car.
