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Dive Review of Alex's Aquatic Adventure (AAA) in
Hawaii/Oahu

Alex's Aquatic Adventure (AAA), Apr, 2009,

by Ev Rockwell, FL, United States ( 1 report). Report 4752.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations N/A Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 4 stars
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 2 stars
Comments Alex Mason has moved and is now running his own dive business under the name Alex’s Aquatic Adventures (AAA). For those of you that remember Alex with the old AAA group, be advised, Alex has no relationship with the current AAA Oahu dive company. Alex continues to host some of the best diving on Oahu. He encourages you to dive your own profiles and certainly highlights area attractions. I asked to see Frog Fish on the wreck dive of the Sea Tiger and he found at least a half-dozen. Next dive we headed over to Turtle Canyon off of Diamond Head and I finally stopped counting the turtles—too many to count. I started diving over ten years ago in Oahu. While the area off of the main beaches of Waikiki are heavily touristed, I did not see the degradation of reef I expected—it’s not Palau, but then there’s only one Palau. I found a number of eels of various sizes and an abundance of nudibranch’s in addition to the expected tropical fish. And we were both surprised when a whale breached in front of us…wowwww. Do not expect great numbers of fish, but the sea life on the local wrecks remains abundant. This is my third time diving with Alex in three years; I did six dives this time with him and Cheryl, his adult supervision. He had hot coffee AND hot towels at the close of each dive. Water can be chilly in Hawaii at this time of year (Apr)…the hot towels were awesome. (Cold natured? I recommend a 6ml suit until May.) Additionally, when I decided to do an extra afternoon dive, Cheryl went for hot chow. Talk about curb side service. Plenty of snacks--chocolate, cold water, hot coffee. On the second day, I had a chance to observe Alex with a set of beginner divers. I’ve watched many dive instructors over the years work with “resort” divers. Alex is exceptional; both patient and attentive. I thought he worked overtime to make the new divers comfortable. Simultaneously, I observed an unrelated dive instructor totally insult a new diver; the individual had “lied” about his BC size. Having worked as support crew, I can only say you expect a certain amount of size exaggeration. No one wants to admit to being fat. Alex stepped in and offered the new diver one of his BCs; this was not one of Alex’s customers. No charge, just consideration for a new diver on vacation. Oahu is not a dive destination, but I’ve always enjoyed diving the clear water and escaping from the crush of the tourists. Give Alex a call next time you have a stop over; I will certainly continue to call him when I’m in town. He never fails to find a good boat crew and assist with as much dive guide support as you desire. It’s your dive, he’s just there to ensure you have a good time regardless of experience level.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving Florida Keys, Red Sea, Chuuk, Palau, Hawaii, Cayman's
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm
Water Temp 72-76°F / 22-24°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 50-100 Ft/ 15-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Time in order to be courteous to other divers; 60 mins.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales 1 or 2
Corals 3 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish 2 stars
Large Pelagics 1 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Varies from boat to boat; due to the large number of inexperienced divers, I found they tend to rinse their mask anywhere and every where. I tended to rinse my camera and then take it down out of the sun. No leaving it in the rinse bucket.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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