Maui/Kauai by Frank

Maui/Kauai, 1999
Author: Frank

Posted by F.R. on September 19, 1999 at 13:52:19:

We're back home from our honeymoon. The flight was long but well worth it.

First stop Maui - stayed at the Royal Lahaina Resort. This was one of the nicest hotels that we have stayed in! Modern, clean, spacious, plenty to do, etc.

First we (wife and I) did some shore diving on our own in front of the Marriott Hotel. Vis was pretty good, saw some beautiful critters, white-tipped shark, etc. Had a chance to use the ReefMaster camera with some great results! Plenty to see at 40'. Lots of lava rock, some coral...

Next day we dove with B&B Scuba (Warren was the dive master). Very good service, refreshments on board. As soon as we hit the water at Molokini Crater we encountered 6 dolphin over-head! I could not beleive it! Turtles, eels, flat fish (the flat fish really intrigued me - I must do some more research on this species). Vis was approx. 75 - 100' at about 90' depth.

On to the second dive (just can't recall the location) pretty much the same stuff as at Molokini. Vis was around 50 - 75'. Crabs, lobsters, nudibranches, puffers, turtles, shrimp, etc. All in all a very good dive!

Next island was Kauai - stayed at the Coconut Beach resort. Spacious and clean, this was an older hotel that had a musty smell in our room. Obviously this hotel has seen better days...Was one of the bottom end hotels that we have stayed in (IOHO).

Well the next day we dove with Linda (Bubbles Below). First let me say that there were 8 divers (including ourselves) on this dive. There were TOOOO MANY people on this dive! Divers ranged from almost no experience to very experienced. Linda - you need to cut the number down to 4 - 6 max!!!!

Aside from the number of divers on board, Linda was by far the most knowledgable dive master that we have had the pleasure of diving with. She took her time, explained the dive and the critters, etc. The boat was comfortable (even had a rope hanging off the side so that you can hang on to it while dumping your gear to board the boat).

Linda took us to Ambers Arches and Shauna's Shelves (named after Lindas daughters). She knew where ALL the critters were. Rock fish, Scorpion fish, Lion fish, turtles, white-tipped shark, spiders, GIANT Puffers, you name it, we saw it!!!!! The only thing I was disappointed in was that I did not see 1 octopus (it has been a dream of mine to encounter and octopus while diving!) This was by far the best dive that I have ever done (aside from the number of divers on board)!!!!!! Thank's Linda!!

Both B&B and Bubbles Below video-taped the dives. Both being excellent vids, Linda did a superior job (even with the less visibity).

I highly recommend diving with B&B on Maui and Bubbles Below on Kauai. If possible, request to Bubbles Below before the dive to keep the numbers down to 4 - 6. This will prevent over-crowding (when you want to see something) and scaring off the critters.

If you want more details, let me know!

F. Ross