62 replies to this topic

[WreckWench]

At some point I want to make a trip out to Hawaii. I was thinking of Maui, which looks to have some decent dive ops for day trips. I know there are some liveaboard options, like the Kona Agressor too if that is a preference over a land based trip.

I, too, am interested in a trip to Hawaii. My first dive instructor spoke of Kaua'i as one if his favorite places to dive. He mentioned "lying on the bottom and listening to the whale song" - which sounds pretty amazing to me. There was an article about diving Hawaii in "Diver" magazine Nov 2007 that increased my interest even more. Maui and nearby Lana'i would be a first choice for me. Molikini Islet and the Cathedrals sound very cool. For whales, December to April is the time to go, apparently. Depending on timing around the possible Red Sea / Egypt trip in 2009, I'd be really interested in Hawaii.

Are you saying do Hawaii on the WAY to the red sea? Or depending on the timing OF the Red Sea you'd do Hawaii or not?

Right now I'm looking at dates in May for the Red Sea 2009.

[SeaSeeker]

At some point I want to make a trip out to Hawaii. I was thinking of Maui, which looks to have some decent dive ops for day trips. I know there are some liveaboard options, like the Kona Agressor too if that is a preference over a land based trip.

I, too, am interested in a trip to Hawaii. My first dive instructor spoke of Kaua'i as one if his favorite places to dive. He mentioned "lying on the bottom and listening to the whale song" - which sounds pretty amazing to me. There was an article about diving Hawaii in "Diver" magazine Nov 2007 that increased my interest even more. Maui and nearby Lana'i would be a first choice for me. Molikini Islet and the Cathedrals sound very cool. For whales, December to April is the time to go, apparently. Depending on timing around the possible Red Sea / Egypt trip in 2009, I'd be really interested in Hawaii.

Are you saying do Hawaii on the WAY to the red sea? Or depending on the timing OF the Red Sea you'd do Hawaii or not?

Right now I'm looking at dates in May for the Red Sea 2009.

Hi WW,
Sorry for the confusion - I meant the latter. May 2009 for the Red Sea works for me. I'd need the Hawaii trip to be at an alternative time and far enough apart to do both. I might be able to swing a week in March for Hawaii, or perhaps the end of October or early November.

ciao,
Tammie

[georoc01]

The other challenge with Hawaii now is the loss of two of the lower cost airlines to Hawaii in the past week. Airfare is expected to jump 50% as options tighten in the next year.

[Kelp Diver]

If planning a trip to Kauai summer months are best. Most of the rest of the year surf conditions make shore diving the north shore and getting a dive boat to Nihau nearly impossible.

For a California trip to the Channel Islands, keep in mind that the liveaboards available out of Santa Barbara and Ventura make the Spree look like a luxury boat. Great diving, good safe operators, but accommadations are spartan at best.

[netmage]

The other challenge with Hawaii now is the loss of two of the lower cost airlines to Hawaii in the past week. Airfare is expected to jump 50% as options tighten in the next year.

Relative to cost, Hawaii as a destination is overrated IMHO....

-Tim

[Parrotman]

The other challenge with Hawaii now is the loss of two of the lower cost airlines to Hawaii in the past week. Airfare is expected to jump 50% as options tighten in the next year.

Relative to cost, Hawaii as a destination is overrated IMHO....

-Tim

I have to agree with Tim. I have been diving on Oahu, Kuai and Maui and I really think it is over rated as well.

Back in the days when you could get to the islands for $300 airfare from the west coast it was not so bad. On top of that I think the standard 2 dive boat trip is running about $100 now, it's pretty expensive for the quality of diving. IMHO...

Jim

[KeithT4U]

All this talk gets me excited. No one has mentioned the great lakes. I know there are lots of wrecks but I am not sure of the locations, depth, and diveability of them. Maybe some members from the area up there can tell us if there are dive operators that could accommidate a group of us to see the area?

Keith

[Elena]

I suggest you look into Seychelles or Mauritius for 2009 or 2010.

Bill aka grayfins

Seychelles are on the top of my diving dreams list - let's go there!

Increadible above the water and below:





Elena

Edited by Elena, 24 July 2008 - 01:59 PM.

[netmage]

All this talk gets me excited. No one has mentioned the great lakes. I know there are lots of wrecks but I am not sure of the locations, depth, and diveability of them. Maybe some members from the area up there can tell us if there are dive operators that could accommidate a group of us to see the area?

Keith

It takes a special twisted sort of folks to endure the great lakes... Drysuits are a must and a firm tolerance to cold and wind. But you will be rewarded with some spectacular diving, most of the deeper AOW side of things..... Frozen time capsules preservde in the cold fresh water, lots of wooden wrecks preserved...

Mikwaukee, Preque Isle, Mackinaw, Brockville, Kingston, 1000 Islands are some of the marquee areas...

-Tim

[georoc01]

All this talk gets me excited. No one has mentioned the great lakes. I know there are lots of wrecks but I am not sure of the locations, depth, and diveability of them. Maybe some members from the area up there can tell us if there are dive operators that could accommidate a group of us to see the area?

Keith

It takes a special twisted sort of folks to endure the great lakes... Drysuits are a must and a firm tolerance to cold and wind. But you will be rewarded with some spectacular diving, most of the deeper AOW side of things..... Frozen time capsules preservde in the cold fresh water, lots of wooden wrecks preserved...

Mikwaukee, Preque Isle, Mackinaw, Brockville, Kingston, 1000 Islands are some of the marquee areas...

-Tim

I have family on the south eastern side of Lake Ontario, so any of the TI/St. Lawrence Seaway are on my list eventually. Hopefully in the summer months, the later in the summer the better.

[Starfish Sandy]

The other challenge with Hawaii now is the loss of two of the lower cost airlines to Hawaii in the past week. Airfare is expected to jump 50% as options tighten in the next year.

Relative to cost, Hawaii as a destination is overrated IMHO....

-Tim

I have to agree with Tim. I have been diving on Oahu, Kuai and Maui and I really think it is over rated as well.

Back in the days when you could get to the islands for $300 airfare from the west coast it was not so bad. On top of that I think the standard 2 dive boat trip is running about $100 now, it's pretty expensive for the quality of diving. IMHO...

Jim

We just did a week in Kona and a week in Maui in June - Kona diving - iffy at best - Manta dive was great though -
Maui - I would do again in a heart beat. We had great diving every single day - from dolphins, to sharks, to turtles, to octopus, I could go on and on. Our dive op was fabulous too -

We lucked out on air - we used miles.

[clearvis]

My ultimate dive trip would be Bikini Atoll or Truk Lagoon

[WreckWench]

My ultimate dive trip would be Bikini Atoll or Truk Lagoon

Bikini Atoll is closed and may not reopen. However SingleDivers.com now has a date for Truk for Jan 2010! Stay tuned!

[WreckWench]

Thank you for the input...you have no idea how many times I read this thread for inspiration for next year and beyond! -ww

[georoc01]

Can we get the summary page updated? I'm confused about what trip is scheduled when. Is there still a dry tortugas over July 4th holiday? How do those dates squeeze in between Bonaire and Wakatobi?