dr. lee

hi, i'm going to maui in sept w/ my girlfriend. we would like to scuba dive just so she can say that she did it. i scuba in 1995. only went about 50 ft or so didn't need to be certified. i really hate the oxygen mouth piece and breathing thru the mouth. the oxygen from the tank really dries my throat.

has anyone scuba dive in maui w/ a tour guide that provides one of those masks that covers your entire face and you can breath normal thru your nose if you want to? is there such an equipment?

i'd appreciate it if you can post a reply here at this site. thanks.

scigirl

I believe there are some Maui tours that offer 'snuba' diving - a whole helmet that goes over your head, with a airhose that attaches up to the boat. Actually, if no one answers your question more specifically you might try a search on 'snuba' on this forum and see what turns up - I recall some earlier threads related to this topic.

cath

I have been diving around Maui for 3 years and I have never seen scuba gear of the type you are describing. I would imagine it would be very hard to get a good seal around your face but who knows! Snuba is definately an option as scigirl says. The tank is set on a floating device on the surface and you just cruise around as you will below the water with a big old helmet on. I know Trilogy offers it on their Molokini snorkel cruise and others do too but the names escape me. IMO you should do an orientation dive at your hotel (usually free) and then pay the extra for an escorted shore dive. Always drink **plenty** of fluids before you go diving and have them ready when you surface, that will help the dryness probems.

PseudoPreRegistrationUser

Yup, that stuff exists. I live in Oahu and visited Maui last weekend. I picked up a brochure for a "snuba" adventure when I was in Maui, but I mailed it to my brother (in Seattle) for him to look at. He and his wife are coming out in August. I don't remember which company was offering it, but you can find brochures for it as soon as you step off the plane in Maui. Oahu also has snuba.

If you REALLY want to SCUBA dive while you're here, a 3 day course will run you $300 ea. I can't remember how much snuba diving is, but if it's anywhere near there, you might as well spend the money to get SCUBA qual'd and maybe have something you and your girlfriend can do for years in the future (just a thought).

Good luck! ...

Barbara

My husband loves to carry Jolly Ranchers candy for after the diving - helps get rid of the salty taste as well as helps with the dry mouth.