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Dive Review of Kohala Divers in
Hawaii/Kohala, Big Island

Kohala Divers: "Nice change of pace from Kona", May, 2016,

by Joel Horie, UT, US (Sr. Contributor Sr. Contributor 22 reports with 14 Helpful votes). Report 8940 has 1 Helpful vote.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations N/A Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments Did one 2 tank boat dive. Friendly professional shop and worth the drive up from Kona area. If you are driving on 270 from Kona or Waikoloa, keep to the left as you come into Kawaihae. Stay to the waterside/Makai of the Minit stop gas station. Kohala divers is on the lower level, facing the harbor. Google maps took us to the uphill side of their building.

Check Nitrox at the shop. You can park in front of the shop and they will haul you gear across the street to the boat, or just park next to the boat in the public gravel lot. Capt Stephen(mask prep guru) and DMs Rebekah, and Nicki. Ice water and a cooler with a good variety of sodas and juices. Fresh fruit(orange slices) and a variety of trail mix, snack bars, and treats. We had flat water and short 20 minute boat rides. Gear up one at a time, seated with feet on the aft platform. Stephen brought the tank/BC and mask and fins. Very easy gear up. On exit, hand up fins and camera. Sit and reverse the process to doff your BC. 8 divers had plenty of room on the boat. Marine head, all the usual safety equipment. Three cushioned bench seat aft and three forward. Gear took up most of the aft seats, but the forward seating was very pleasant. Looks like the boat is set up for sight seeing tours as well as diving. We rented regs, BC and tanks. The gear was all newer Scuba Pro and in nice shape.

Corals seem a little healthier, than the Kona area. Saw Wire coral, which I never saw down south. Still lots of tropical fish, but nothing large. Lots of Morays. Leaf scorpion fish. Blue dragon and Phyllidia nudibranchs. Dolphins. Schools of sergeant majors. Nicki was our DM and she set a nice leisurely pace, pointing out interesting subjects along the way. Dove at Ulua 90' and Outer Crystal cove 75'.

Kawaihae is very quiet, but there are a number of places for lunch. You could also drive north to Hawi or Kapaau for lunch or sight seeing after you dives.
Websites Kohala Divers   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 51-100 dives
Where else diving Hawaii, Belize, Grand Cayman, Socal, Bonaire
Closest Airport KOA, Kona International Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm
Water Temp 82-°F / 28-°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 80-100 Ft/ 24-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile no
Enforced diving restrictions Stay with DM. Brought us to the bought mooring with lowest person at 700 psi. Surface individually, with 3 minute safety stop. DM stayed down with last divers until they got to 700 psi.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins Schools Whale Sharks None
Turtles None Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 2 stars
Large Pelagics N/A

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

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments large rinse bucket, but no dedicated table.
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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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