top 3 dive sites in Oahu

[Red Foreman]

Just curious - is there any dive op left on the island that:

• Doesn't insist you be part of the herd
• Doesn't insist you stick with the guide
• Doesn't freak out if you come back to the boat after an hour
• Doesn't make you get out because someone sucked their tank dry in 15 minutes
• Owns their own boat
• The only patrons on that boat came from the same dive op

...?


All the best, James

Yeah, YOU when you get your own dive operation.

 

[Red Foreman]

I would agree that it's who you know (and more importantly, how well they know you). It's a liability issue. The captain of the boat is responsible for your safety. If he doesn't know you (or your dive experience), why would he just let you take off in the open ocean? He's paying that dive guide to take care of you while you're underwater. So, if you want the freedom, then you have to put in the time and earn it.

By the way, Ocean Concepts does not own their own boat. Although Ocean Concepts only books divers on that one boat, the boat itself is no longer Ocean Concepts exclusive. The story around the island is that Ocean Concepts doesn't have enough business to occupy enough seats to make the boat profitable. So the owner opened it up to other shops. There is another boat operator on the west side. Captain Bruce (name of the company, not the actual captain) also dives the west side daily and has a nicer boat and a MUCH nicer staff. Aaron's will dive west side..but not daily.

While it is true that Ocean Concepts does not own the boat they use and that there are other companies occasionally on the boat this is not the everyday occurance that it is on Cpt Bruce's boat. There can be some CPT Bruce divers, some other companies and some independent operators on with them more often than not, thus making CPT Bruce pretty much the Cattle Boat on the west side, so if you are into that...

 

[Red Foreman]

Any suggestions on the best dive sites in Oahu. Also, which dive shops have the best prices?

Prices vary so you may have to do some research on that one and make your own deals.

Top Shore:

1. enter 3 Tables, exit at Sharks Cove or vice versa
2. Halewa Trench (spooky place, lots of turtles, gets to 96 feet)
3. Portlock (bring a rope)

Top Boat

1. Any of the wrecks on the west side, excepts 29 DOWN
2. Kea'au/Stars
3. Land of Oz