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Dive Review of Waikiki Diving in
Hawaii/Oahu

Waikiki Diving, Jan, 2007,

by Lyn Greenhill, CA, USA . Report 3159.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 2 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 3 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 3 stars Shore Diving 1 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 2 stars
Comments Oahu diving is mostly geared to the "intro to scuba" people, based on my 6 dive trips there. They are not used to experienced people with good air consumption, I routinely surfaced with 1500 psi. There are 3 main areas for diving at Oahu - west side, Waikiki, and Maunalua Bay. The west side has only a few good sites and is a long way from Waikiki - over an hour drive. If you must go there dive with Ocean Concepts. Waikiki has some interesting spots, some prepared wrecks and a few nice reefs. Maunalua Bay has the most spots and some are very good. My personal favorites are Fantasy Reef, the Corsair, and Sea Cave. The North shore is diveable only in summer, and then from the shore. Most of the operators don't have their own boats so charter space from a few boat captains. This is fine if you like mixed crowds. The previous dive company I went with (who is now out of business) used this approach and I had no problem with it. Waikiki Diving has their own boat which is 27' long and can hold a maximum of 10 divers, which they launch from Maunalua Bay. If the wind is blowing (which is pretty much a given in Hawaii), you're in for a wild ride if they go to the outer sites. They didn't have a camera bucket except on 1 of the 4 trips I went with them, and they also didn't provide any water after diving (a real oversight in my opinion). They did try to accomodate our preferences for sites, depending on the wind. They also will pick you up at your hotel, and then take you to their shop to fill out paperwork, pick up any gear you might need, and then drive you to the boat. If you have your own stuff, this is a real waste of time, so sleep in and just meet them at the boat. On two of the trips they used 63 cubic foot tanks on the second dives, which were shallow, in order to cut bottom time. This is really tacky in my opinion. To summarize, if you are a serious diver, avoid Oahu and go to Maui or Kona. If you are forced to dive Oahu, Waikiki Diving is OK, but certainly not great.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 101-250 dives
Where else diving California, Baja, Carribean, Bahamas
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, cloudy Seas choppy, surge
Water Temp 73-74°F / 23-23°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 40-60 Ft/ 12-18 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile no
Enforced diving restrictions Generally enforced time limits - i. e., first one out of air means everyone comes up.
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 3 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish 1 stars
Large Pelagics 1 stars

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

Subject Matter 2 stars Boat Facilities 1 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 2 stars Shore Facilities 1 stars
UW Photo Comments Although there are some interesting things to photograph, you're on your own for any support. No buckets or tables 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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