Shore Diving On the Big Island

[DiverBoy100]

This Thread is devoted to shore diving on the big island...I was looking other threads about hawaii and no one has devoted anything to the best diving in the world...most of the best diving on the Big Island is right off shore...here is a web site that devotes its self to just about every possible shore spot on the big island http://shorediving.com/Earth/Hawaii/TBI/index.htm

here are some of my favorite spots...if you want a more detailed description of one of these spots let me know...

Mahukona...http://shorediving.com/Earth/Hawaii/TBI/Mahukona/index.htm

Puako Village End... http://shorediving.com/Earth/Hawaii/TBI/Puako_Village/index.htm

Alua Beach... http://shorediving.com/Earth/Hawaii/TBI/Alua/index.htm

The Place of Refuge... http://shorediving.com/Earth/Hawaii/TBI/Place_of_Refuge/index.htm

The hidden jewel of the Big Island Leleiwi if you get a chance to get over to hilo this is a must do Leleiwi is my personal favorite... http://shorediving.com/Earth/Hawaii/TBI/Leleiwi/index.htm

One more thing even though this devoted to shore diving if you make all the way out to kona make plans to get a hold of one the many dive shops on the kona coast and do the Manta Ray night dive if you come out here too dive and not do this you have wasted your trip...just joking on a wasted trip but it is a must do...if you need any recommendations on dive shops let me know

If you have any question about any of these site just drop me a line...as I always say HAVE FUN AND GET WET!!!

[RoadRacer1978]

Thanks for all the links. My wife is wanting to go to Hawaii for out 10 year anniversary and while there I want to get in some diving. I'll take some time and check out all your links. Thanks.

[kyfriedchipper]

nice thread and links - i'm bookmarking it!

[WV Diver]

We are planning a 2009 trip and I will look over these links. I may add some to this thread as I research and learn more about the diving. Thanks.

Maybe we can get together for a dive while I am on the island.

[waymarkee]

We vacationed at Kailua-Kona in March 2007. I can highly recommend Aloha Diver Company (Aloha Dive Company) for their personalized service. Best way to contact them is to get hold of Buffy -- I believe she handles most of the bookings. She also makes FANTASTIC cookies which they supply on the boat for your SI, along with water, fruit juice, soda, fruit, etc. First class, and not a cattle boat operation. They like to dive early so plan to be at the marina by 6am if you book with them. Be sure to take your camera to get some amazing pics of the sun rising over Mauna Kea. Also, if your experience allows, ask Earl to take you diving on the harbor bouy to see sharks in the morning (100'+).

For shore dive supplies (tanks, weights, etc.) try Sandwich Isle Divers (Scuba diving on the Kona coast, big island of Hawaii, with Sandwich Isle Divers). Very helpful people, nice shop, good prices.

I found Kona diving different from Caribbean diving in that:
1. Generally better viz in Kona (and the Carib has great viz)
2. Larger creatures in Kona (sharks, mantas, whales, etc.)
3. More colorful hard & soft corals in the Caribbean

Each has its own pro's and con's but when it comes down to it wouldn't we love to be in either place?

Lastly, if you're planning a trip to the Big Island you MUST get the guidebook "Hawaii The Big Island Revealed" by Andrew Doughty. A no-nonsense and very thorough guide to almost everything the island offers (restaurants, diving, shopping, sight-seeing, etc.). We had a few different guidebooks for our reference and this one far outranked all others.

[tarheeldiver]

Originally Posted by waymarkee

We vacationed at Kailua-Kona in March 2007. I can highly recommend Aloha Diver Company (Aloha Dive Company) for their personalized service. Best way to contact them is to get hold of Buffy -- I believe she handles most of the bookings. She also makes FANTASTIC cookies which they supply on the boat for your SI, along with water, fruit juice, soda, fruit, etc. First class, and not a cattle boat operation. They like to dive early so plan to be at the marina by 6am if you book with them. Be sure to take your camera to get some amazing pics of the sun rising over Mauna Kea. Also, if your experience allows, ask Earl to take you diving on the harbor bouy to see sharks in the morning (100'+).

For shore dive supplies (tanks, weights, etc.) try Sandwich Isle Divers (Scuba diving on the Kona coast, big island of Hawaii, with Sandwich Isle Divers). Very helpful people, nice shop, good prices.

I found Kona diving different from Caribbean diving in that:
1. Generally better viz in Kona (and the Carib has great viz)
2. Larger creatures in Kona (sharks, mantas, whales, etc.)
3. More colorful hard & soft corals in the Caribbean

Each has its own pro's and con's but when it comes down to it wouldn't we love to be in either place?

Lastly, if you're planning a trip to the Big Island you MUST get the guidebook "Hawaii The Big Island Revealed" by Andrew Doughty. A no-nonsense and very thorough guide to almost everything the island offers (restaurants, diving, shopping, sight-seeing, etc.). We had a few different guidebooks for our reference and this one far outranked all others.

Thanks for the info I'm thinking of going there next October

[WV Diver]

Amazon.com: Franko's Dive Map of Hawaii, the Big Island: Books: Frank Nielsen

I found this and it looks like a good thing to have in the vehicle while shore diving. I wonder, is there a book that describes the shore diving sites in some detail that may even have a map with it? Or is there a book that would compliment this map?

When we were in Boanire I picked up a copy of Susan Porters book " Boniare Shore Diving made Easy" and it was a very nice resource for dive planning while we were on the island. Is there anything comparable for the big island?

[Travelnsj]

Originally Posted by WV Diver

Amazon.com: Franko's Dive Map of Hawaii, the Big Island: Books: Frank Nielsen

I found this and it looks like a good thing to have in the vehicle while shore diving. I wonder, is there a book that describes the shore diving sites in some detail that may even have a map with it? Or is there a book that would compliment this map?

When we were in Boanire I picked up a copy of Susan Porters book " Boniare Shore Diving made Easy" and it was a very nice resource for dive planning while we were on the island. Is there anything comparable for the big island?

There is one.....I'll try to find my folder. It is a great web site showing all the shore dive spots plus a description of each.

[Travelnsj]

Found the site.....no longer working....the best one besides what I had is the link that DiverBoy100 posted.

[WV Diver]

Well thanks so much for your efforts. I will keep looking, surely there is something out there. If I find it I will post it here and please do the same.