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Dive Review of Prodiver Maui/Mana-Kai Maui in
Hawaii/Maui

Prodiver Maui/Mana-Kai Maui, Sep, 2005,

by Tim Nugent, CA, USA . Report 2091.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 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 5 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments
Prodiver Maui is an excellent 6-pack operation. Their 34' boat leaves from Kihei boat ramp shortly after 5:45 am 6 days/week with only 6 divers max.

First dive is always to Molokini, approximately a 15 minute ride. We were in the water by 6:30 each morning, and back to the docks by about 10 ~ 10:30.

Molokini has consistently excellent visibility, 150' or more. The advantage of leaving so early is to be the first boat on the island each day. By mid-morning, the tiny crater has 10+ boats moored there.

I was impressed by the density of the hard corals. This is a very healthy reef environment. Fish populations were typical for Hawaii.

The second dive of each day became a slight let down, as it was always just offshore of Wailea, with mediocre visibility (50'~75') and reef conditions. However, the second dive was geared more towards seeking a specific target; turtles, frog fish, etc. and was mostly successful at that. Surface intervals were a little short, with the tightest being just 35 minutes. As an old timer who still has most of the tables memorized, I find this practice uncomfortable, no matter what my computer says... Each dive was in excess of an hour. The DM would send each person or team up as their air dwindled, and had no problem staying down until we were ready to come up.

Gary & Larry, the two owners are very nice and easy going guys. While every other operator I contacted insisted on having us stay with the group, these guys were more comfortable allowing my wife & I to wander off on our own.
The boat driver was very attentive and was always ready for a quick pick-up. I would not hesitate to dive with them again. Utilizing an aerial photo, showing all reefs, sand patches and cuts, I had the best and most useful dive briefing I have ever had. Once underwater, I felt as if I already knew my way around from the photos.

Prodiver Maui was recommended as the premier dive operation on Maui by the incredible book Maui Revealed. This travel book also found us our condo; Mana Kai-Maui, which is located less than a one minute drive from the boat ramp.

Mana Kai-Maui is on the beach at the Kihei / Wailea townline. Excellent place to stay, however I learned the value of making reservations directly through the onsite management company. We inadvertently booked through an off-site property mgmt company, and incurred a few hassles: had to drive 3 miles to a local mall to check in & out, could not use front desk support for beach towels, had no daily maid service, etc. Next time, we will book through the correct company.

Overall a great trip to Maui. This was our first time traveling with 2 little kids, and with some advance planning, it came off nicely.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving Multiple locations for last 30 years.
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, dry Seas calm, surge
Water Temp 80-80°F / 27-27°C Wetsuit Thickness 0
Water Visibility 125-175 Ft/ 38-53 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Very relaxed for experienced divers, also took good care of beginners.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

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

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

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 2 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Boat crew was adept at camera handling. Boat could use a rinse bucket, instead of just a fresh water hose.
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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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