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#470
Maui advice- trip Sept 7 - 16 2014
DiverDanya - 4/07/2014 9:01 PM
Category: Travel
Replies: 12

Hello,

Husband and I just booked a flight to Maui for September 7th - 16th. We are both advanced divers with over 200 dives who want to maximize our bottom time while on the island. At this point we don’t have any set plans so, I’d like to get more info from locals or people that have some good experience on the Maui. Any info or tips are appreciated and I do have questions about the following;

Best town to stay in- the more diving the better; we are still looking for a place to stay
Best scuba shop- we’ll need lots of fills
Best charter boat- definitely want to check out Molokini
Best shore diving
Any other cannot miss activities, restaurants, ect

Thank you for reading this and any help you can provide! Mahalo- Danya
#12120
Eric_R - 4/08/2014 4:35 AM
Molokini crater is nice.
divebuddy.com/divesite.aspx?DiveSiteID=1461

Rent a sportier car and take the road to Hana.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hana_Highway

Do a helicopter ride over the island and to Haleakala crater.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haleakal%C4%81_National_Park
#470
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DiverDanya - 4/08/2014 11:59 AM
Thanks Progrower!
#4002
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WarmWaterTurner - 4/08/2014 1:10 PM
Molokini on the backside - amazing current and one of my top 10 dives ever! We actually went back the next day to dive it from the opposite side. Lots of Whitetips and an amazing crater wall. I would also recommend Blackrock for a shore dive.
#1353
joeyro16 - 4/09/2014 2:33 PM
Mike Severns. Top notch. mikesevernsdiving.com/
#470
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DiverDanya - 4/21/2014 10:29 AM
Thanks everyone!

Has anyone done a manta dive in Maui?!

What about other shore diving locations?!

Thanks again!!
Danya
#4002
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WarmWaterTurner - 4/21/2014 12:47 PM
@ Dana not me. I also agree with Maui Dive shop - they were great! As for the Manta’s - I was told the best place for the Manta Dive was on the Big Island. I REALLY want to do the night Manta dive someday......
#74
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Curly - 4/29/2014 2:24 AM
The best manta dive is on big island. the only manta dive on maui is spotty as best, Maui Dive Shop may do it from time to time.
best dive shop, without a doubt…check trip advisor or yelp is Maui Dreams Dive Co.
they have VERY creative dives (oh yeah, i am the one that does them) so just ask for me.
4 am night dives? 3 shore dives from three different beaches in one morning? Holoholo scooter dive?
#217
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BubblesBelow - 4/30/2014 7:35 PM
Lived and worked on Maui for years, was a PADI Instructor there. A few tips for boat diving - if you go out of the west side (Lahaina, Kaanapali, Napili) and you’re going to Molokini, it’s a longer ride than leaving from Maalaea Harbor (mid-way from airport to west side, in the ’elbow’ of the island). You can also do a boat dive from there over to Lanai, or shore diving out of Kihei. Smaller and quicker boat rides from Kihei to Molokini and south shore dives accessible only by boat. Makena Coast Charters and Mike Severns - both tops in dive boats/dive tours. You might have the seasonal occurrence of mantas off of "Reef’s End" on Molokini, but as others have mentioned, a sure bet is the night dive on the Big Island. Nothing more magical than a night dive at the Crater (Molokini) with a full moon. Be sure to go up to other crater - Haleakala, but be sure to watch your diving and driving. Haleakala is 10k feet. Time your trip on a non-diving day. Take a detour on the way up and go check out Olinda and Ulupalakua - the heavenly lands above Kihei, with protea farms, wine country, and the most stunning views around. Stop at the Ulupalakua Country store for lunch and a cold drink. The road to Hana is also breathtaking, but a long drive. If you decide to go, leave EARLY to avoid the crowds and see the sunrise over the unparalleled views from the Hana Highway. Dang - getting homesick for that place now! Feel free to message me if you need any more info. Love what Curly has to offer in the previous post. Anything out of the ordinary 30 passenger and more cattle boat sounds like a good bet! Molokini gets way too crowded. Have fun, and Aloha!
#217
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BubblesBelow - 4/30/2014 7:36 PM
Oh - and be sure to stop at Mama’s Fish House for their amazing Mai Tais and stuffed Ono! (north shore, in Paia)
#378
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B4UDive - 6/23/2014 7:16 PM
If you are looking to do some shore diving, get a hold of me when we get closer to your dates as I am always looking to take a break and jump in the water. If you still are looking for a place to stay, we have a B&B between Lahaina and Kaanapali - mauiguesthouse.com. which we offer a 10% discount to all our divebuddy.com members. We can also offer a 10% discount on dive boats such as Ed Robinson’s Diving and Extended Horizons. Have you been to the Hawaiian Islands before?
#23
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suncountry - 8/03/2014 3:48 PM
maui divers out of Mahalea bay (not sure of spelling there) But it is really close to molokini.. on another island 45 minutes by boat - check out the cathedral... really nice lots of structure and lots of life.