Hawaiian Dive Sites for New Divers

[afm32607]

My fiance and I are relatively new to diving and we are going to Hawaii for our honeymoon in September.

Does anyone have any suggestions for where and who we should go with?

Appreciate any other advice too. Thanks in advance.

 

[ace_92101]

Which island(s) are you visiting?

 

[afm32607]

The big island and maui, I think....

 

[trae]

If you go to the island of Oahu, Patrick at pearl harbor divers is very patient and can get you set up. When you say "new to diving," does that mean that you are recently certified, or are you looking to get certified to dive?

 

[ace_92101]

Both islands have good diving. The Big Island has the best diving in the state. As for Maui, Molokini Crater is a must. It can get a little crowded. There's an inner portion and an outside wall. The wall is definitely better, but you should be comfortable with buoyancy control and drift diving. It's considered an advanced dive. Some shops make it to the Cathedrals off of Lanai. They're a set of pennicals. It's a fairly long boat ride and it can get choppy. It's also considered an advanced dive. There're numerous closer sites and numerous shore dives.

As for the Big Island, the sites are generally close to shore. Kaloko Arches and Place of Refuge are a couple of my favorites. The Manta Night dive is also very popular. While I enjoyed it, I probably wouldn't do it again. You'll need to be comfortable with night dives. It also gets crowded. There're a lot of great shore dives too. You'll probably be more comftable with a dive master on the shore dives.

 

[afm32607]

We are already certified, about a year this coming summer, but have only gone on a few oceanic dives, being from western new york. Definitely not comfortable enough for a night dive, i have a strong allergy to shark bites.

We are thinking of taking an advanced buoyancy training course or a deep water dive this summer before we go.

Thanks for all the info.

 

[mayjong]

big island has wonderful shore dives. easy access to many of them. try mile marker 4, and place of refuge. i go to big island divers when there, they have great maps and all the info you need.
also- the manta dive was great, but i also would not do it again...

 

[Speckled Grouper]

We dove around Kona in September 2011, very easy diving. And all very close to shore, which adds to the comfort feeling a lot.

Also did the Manta Night Dive, much easier than you would imagine and everybody must do it once....it's also VERY close to shore, so don't be scared, there are so many divers and snorkelers with flashlights, it's not dark at all, lol.

I can highly recommend Kona Diving Company, small groups and personal attention.

I snorkeled at Two Step, wow, hundreds of Yellow Tangs, about 3 feet from shore, quite amazing

 

[Reefers4U]

The big island and maui, I think....

I dove with Lahina (sp?) divers. I'm glad to get a chance to recommend them.

They are a first rate outfit. They will supervise your safety very closely which is what you need when you are a new diver.

They have great dive spots and staff.

Check'em out.

If you want to do some cheap beach diving check out Scuba Doug. He'll GETUWET. His number is 808.250.1234

 

[rssjsb]

We dove on Kona last year about this time. We're also really new (<20 dives, 8 of which were with KDC). I highly recommend Kona Diving Co. Kerry & her team are really great - small groups, very attentive to your needs, friendly, everything you need. We originally signed up for six dives and ended up squeezing in an extra day of diving.

Kona is good for beginners. Excellent viz and not much current.

 

[NTP66]

Somebody already mentioned Molokini, but if you're looking to beach dive or snorkel, I highly recommend checking out Honolua Bay in Kapalua. Clear, calm water in September, and an abundance of sea life.