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Dive Review of Mike Severns Diving/Kihei Kai Nani in
Hawaii/Maui

Mike Severns Diving/Kihei Kai Nani: "Another Great Time in Maui", Jul, 2017,

by Wayne Joseph, CA, US (Contributor Contributor 13 reports with 11 Helpful votes). Report 9685 has 2 Helpful votes.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 3 stars Food N/A
Service and Attitude N/A Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling 4 stars
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments My wife & I went to Maui for a 10 day stay. We dived with Mike Severns Diving, whom we always use when we are there. If you want to be shown some interesting things going on in the ocean, go with them. They leave out of the Kihei boat harbor by 6:30 & try to return before noon, when the winds & rough seas get going. Pauline & crew (Andy, AJ, & Warren) are great at explaining each dive site & helping you with your gear. Their boat is safe with all the necessities in case of an emergency. They also provide drinks and some of the best pastries (sticky buns & cookies) that can be found on the island No matter how often we dive this area, we always see something different. I think we forget that the ocean is not static, but very dynamic.
For instance, last year a small colony of fire dart fish took up residence in the Molokini crater. This is not a species of fish you would expect to see in Hawaii. I have only seen them before in Fiji. Pauline (owner & marine biologist) theorizes that the larvae of these fish floated from the western pacific and ended up in Maui. Last year there were about 20 & now there is only one remaining. Taking a photo of them is not easy as they dive back into their little homes in the sand at the slightest provocation. The sole remaining dart fish is so used to seeing divers, he allowed me to get very close with a 60mm lens to get some great photos.
They also took us to a dive spot (landing craft & tank) where they found 3 harlequin shrimp dragging a blue sea star under some antler coral, 3 Hawaiian lion fish laying in the same coral, and mantis shrimp in the sand about 10 feet away.
We were there during the new moon, which means the coral were spawning (I think at night). What you is see a lot of white "stuff" (for lack of a better term) floating on the surface and a pungent "fishy" smell. During the dive you will see white specks floating in the water column.
They will also show you where sergeant major fish protect the eggs that have been laid by the females. They find interesting colorful nudibranchs. And you can usually see a shark at Molokini & closer to shore. I don't think you can do a dive in Molokini without seeing eels.
There are always turtles in Maui that can be seen when diving close to shore (even if you are snorkeling). We first went to Maui in the mid 1980's and you would occasionally see a turtle. But since they were put on a protected list in Hawaii years ago, the population has increased dramatically.
After all these years of running this operation, Pauline (& crew) still have great enthusiasm for educating divers and finding interesting interactions in the ocean. You can see it when they are doing the dive briefing and when you see her eyes light up in her mask underwater when she finds something rare.
I can't say enough good things about them.
Websites Mike Severns Diving   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving Caymans, Bonaire, San Salvador, Fiji, St. Thomas, California, Sardinia, Hawaii
Closest Airport Kahului Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy, cloudy, dry Seas calm, choppy
Water Temp 79-81°F / 26-27°C Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility 75-125 Ft/ 23-38 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile no
Enforced diving restrictions Keep track of air. Let them know when you're at 1500 lbs and again at 700lbs. Stay with the group.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

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

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

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments I don't think you would do a lot of wide angle photography unless you were trying to photograph whale, turtles, etc. I use a 60mm lens in Hawaii because it gives me some flexibility to do macro and close up of fish or other things.
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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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