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Dive Review of Extended Horizons/Mana Kai Maui in
Hawaii/Maui

Extended Horizons/Mana Kai Maui, Feb, 2006,

by Paul and Donna Lima, TN, US (Sr. Contributor Sr. Contributor 27 reports). Report 2321.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 3 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 3 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments Returned after 4 years to find this operation continues to excel. Went out with Captain Erik, Maren and Chris for two trips. The boat is well designed and comfortable and there is always plenty of good food for the surface intervals. The crew was friendly and informative, using large magnetic slates to identify creatures viewed during the dive. The first trip was to Lanai where we dove First Cathedral and Fish Rock, both great dives. We were able to be the first into the lava tube/dome at First Cathedral and experience the beauty in pristine conditions. We were shown a different exit where you can be propelled out by the surge if you time it correctly. Nice addition to the dive. They have also added two new dives, both well worthwhile. The first is the wreck of the Carthaginian sunk off Lahaina in December 2005. This used to be a whaling museum docked in the harbor for many years and still has the name prominently displayed on the bow and stern. Makes for great photos. It was sunk by Atlantis submarine company who give sub tours of the wreck and we had the good fortune to be on the ship when the sub came by. Interesting to experience how quietly such a large craft appeared next to us. Since they have right of way we had been instructed to remain on the wreck itself while it was in the vicinity. The ship sits at about 90 feet and could be clearly seen from the surface. No current made it a pleasure to dive. The second new dive is usually done as a shore dive with scooters but Erik agreed to take us to a manta ray cleaning area. We spent a lot of time swimming around and I began to wonder about the mantas appearing at all. Suddenly first one, then two, then three, then four mantas swam into the area and were tended to by a variety of fish removing parasites from their skin. Having done the manta ray night dive in Kona several times I knew they would come to feed on plankton that lights attract, but I never imagined I could watch them in broad daylight being cleaned. It was a magical experience. It was also nice to start a dive in daylight. Mala boat ramp in Lahaina is a 45 minute drive from Kihei where we were staying which means a very early start to get there by 6am for the usual Maui launch time (due to trade winds picking up by noon which whip up the ocean in a hurry). Much more convenient for those staying in West Maui but well worth the trip for those in South Maui.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 101-250 dives
Where else diving Belize, Caymans, Roatan, Florida Keys, Hawaii (Big Island)
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas choppy
Water Temp 71-75°F / 22-24°C Wetsuit Thickness 5
Water Visibility 60-100 Ft/ 18-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile no
Enforced diving restrictions stay above dive leader, return to boat with 500 psi
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

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

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

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities 3 stars
UW Photo Comments dedicated fresh water container for cameras
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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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