OT - Diving in Hawaii

[talon4x4]

I'm going to be scuba diving in Hawaii while on my honeymoon. I'm wondering how deep do they take beginner divers?? I'm trying to find an underwater camera and just want to make sure it will work to the whatever depth they take us.

Also, any recommendations for diving (spots to dive and companies that do it) on the Big Island?? We will be staying in the Kona area.

 

[Capt_Cully]

In general, if you are not open water certified, they'll take you to about 35 or 40 feet. If you're new to the sport, it will be plenty, and you'll have a great time. Hawaii, especially, will have plenty to keep your interest. Though, if you are going that far, it might be worth it to get certified and take advantage of more involved deeper dives.

If all of this falls through, there is so much excellent snorkling available on the Hawaiian Islands. We went several times a day when we were in Maui. Amazing.

I borrowed a friends UW housing for my cannon point and shoot. Pix were adequate, captured the basic idea, but far from great.

I'm jealous.

Make sure to post in the Scuba forum, lots of great tips!

 

[rjmayes34]

Hello, at wallmart they have a great digital underwater camera for around $90. Get a 4gig memory card and you good to depths up to 50 feet I believe. Recently got married in Jamaica and It worked great for me.also has video mode which is sweet. Their are better more expensive ones at best buy but this one worked fine for me!!

 

[superkat]

i can recommend two dive companies: Sandwich island dives and Big Island Divers. The favorite (and most populated spots) are Ulua Cave and Horseshoe Reef. My personal choice is Pu'uhonua O Honaunau (the Place of Refuge),it's the black sand beach...loaded with sea turtles...underwater there are tons of hard corals and amazing scenery.

There's also a Manta Ray night dive that is getting some rave reviews. For a day trip, go to the Kapoho tide pools. Promise you won't be disappointed. It's on the Hilo side of the island. North of Hilo (off the rent a car maps) there is a Fern grotto in a lava tube...and if you keep taking that road north, you'll hit Polulu Valley and the shore...which is like something out of Jurassic Park.

I also HIGHLY recommend trying to take the hike out to the Pu'u O'o crater...it's on the shore after driving thru volcano village and the sea of desolation on the Kona side. Thurston Lava Tube is AMAZING...and the hike to where the lava enters the ocean is about 4 miles across some rough terrain...but SO WORTH IT...vents with lava can be seen in the mountains to the left and sometimes under your feet. It is one of the most incredible things I have ever seen.

 

[talon4x4]

Wow!!! Kat, thanks for that info. You just made my 3 month wait even harder.

 

[superkat]

you're welcome. You used to be able to get to the Puna district, where the black sand beaches are, using north (or east, I can't remember) bound 130/137. If you are in Kona, you can still take this until you get to the point were the 1990 eruption of Kilauea swallowed it. Pretty impressive...in an awe inspiring way. Punalu'u Beach (another black sand beach with green sea turtles...HUGE turtles) is located between Volcano Village and Na'alehu on the southern portion of the island. You can sit with them, swim with them...they just ask that you don't touch them.

Two last plugs (i love the big island, can you tell?) for Akaka Falls and Rainbow Falls. Worth a visit. Akaka has a lovely trail...just don't let the first waterfall fool you...I saw that and said, wow...i hiked in for that? until we kept going and heard gushing like Niagara Falls. Then, it blew my socks off. And October...btw...is a PERFECT time to go there.

Congrats!