Scuba Diving for New Divers on Maui - good idea?
Dec 11th, 2006, 11:14 AM
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Scuba Diving for New Divers on Maui - good idea?
DH and I will be in Maui 2/16 - 2/23 and would like to try scuba diving. We'll be staying @ the Sheraton and will do snorkeling at Black Rock (also first time), but I really want to go under the water. Has anyone tried this for the first time in Maui? We are considering the intro classes available from Maui Dive Shop. Does this seem like a safe, enjoyable idea? I have scoured this site for hotel, restaurant, and activities info. for this trip, so thanks everyone for your ideas. I'm hopeful for this post, as well.....Please provide comments, suggestions, etc.
Dec 11th, 2006, 11:55 AM
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I'm answering this, however, I've never been diving, my husband has. He dived for the first time on Maui with the Trilogy group. We went out for a snorkeling trip and they had diving instruction also, so he went for it. Cost a little extra, but he loved it. He went again this past summer on the Big Island (with Jakes Dive Shop, I believe). So, if your interested, check out the website for Trilogy (they also have an activities desk right on Kaanapali Beach in front of the Kaanapali Beach Hotel). DH would highly recommend the dive for first timers. Hope this helps.
Dec 11th, 2006, 01:32 PM
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It depends on whether you are planning on getting an actual OW certification, or you just want to do a "Discover Scuba" dive.
The OW certification is over the course of a few days and involves class time and independent studying - and you will be certified to dive independently afterwards.
The Discover Scuba dive is basically a shallow dive with an instructor and you will not be certified to dive on your own after.
If your goal is to become certified, I recommend either getting certified before you get to Maui, or taking your classroom portion at home and doing your checkout dives via referral in Maui. I just wouldn't want to waste valuable vacation time doing the classroom portion of the class.
If you just want to do a Discover Scuba dive, I would ask questions of the shop as far as how the dive is conducted and what the ratio is of divers to instructors (I would do it no more than 2 divers per instructor). Discover Scuba is popular here, and it can be a safe and enjoyable experience. I have however, seen it conducted in unsafe and frankly, rather scary ways too.
The OW certification is over the course of a few days and involves class time and independent studying - and you will be certified to dive independently afterwards.
The Discover Scuba dive is basically a shallow dive with an instructor and you will not be certified to dive on your own after.
If your goal is to become certified, I recommend either getting certified before you get to Maui, or taking your classroom portion at home and doing your checkout dives via referral in Maui. I just wouldn't want to waste valuable vacation time doing the classroom portion of the class.
If you just want to do a Discover Scuba dive, I would ask questions of the shop as far as how the dive is conducted and what the ratio is of divers to instructors (I would do it no more than 2 divers per instructor). Discover Scuba is popular here, and it can be a safe and enjoyable experience. I have however, seen it conducted in unsafe and frankly, rather scary ways too.
Dec 11th, 2006, 04:29 PM
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Sherrie,
Thanks for the Trilogy recommendation we will check it out.
Chepar,
Have you done the "Discover Scuba" dive on Maui? We are not interested in becoming certified. Can you recommend an outfitter that has the 2/1 ratio you suggest? I will ask of the companies, but I'm looking for places to start from here....Thanks!
Thanks for the Trilogy recommendation we will check it out.
Chepar,
Have you done the "Discover Scuba" dive on Maui? We are not interested in becoming certified. Can you recommend an outfitter that has the 2/1 ratio you suggest? I will ask of the companies, but I'm looking for places to start from here....Thanks!
Dec 12th, 2006, 08:29 AM
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I am certified, so I've never done the Discover Scuba in Maui.
There are many dive operators on Maui, but I don't know which ones offer Discover Scuba.
You might try inquiring with Maui Dive Shop, Trilogy, Maui Dreams Dive Co., Scuba Shack - these are just a few operators that come to mind.
If they don't offer Discover Scuba, they can probably tell you who does.
There are many dive operators on Maui, but I don't know which ones offer Discover Scuba.
You might try inquiring with Maui Dive Shop, Trilogy, Maui Dreams Dive Co., Scuba Shack - these are just a few operators that come to mind.
If they don't offer Discover Scuba, they can probably tell you who does.
Dec 12th, 2006, 09:35 AM
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I would stay away from Scuba Shack. Ugh. Had a really bad customer service experience with them, actually it was with the owner. Have also read other bad reviews, I think it was on Trip Advisor.
Only did a snorkel trip thru Maui Dive Shop but was impressed with the safety precautions they showed on the trip, so would hope that would apply to their scuba too.
http://mauidiveshop.com/dive_course.htm
Only did a snorkel trip thru Maui Dive Shop but was impressed with the safety precautions they showed on the trip, so would hope that would apply to their scuba too.
http://mauidiveshop.com/dive_course.htm
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