Instant Reader Report on Diving
Dive Makai/Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel in
Hawaii/Kona Coast, Big Island in
2002/08

by
Robert Johnson, NM, USA
Report Number 020901122242525

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 Okinawa, Belize, Honduras, Turks & Caicos, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman,
Bonaire, Bimini, Florida Keys, Texas Gulf Coast, Califronia, Maui 

Computers required, can rent computer for $5 fee; no restrictions on dive
time; I was allowed to make long dives, up to 1.5 hours.  

Plentiful tropical fish and small critters. Sea turtles were numerous and
were unafraid of divers; very easy to approach. Dive Makai's leisurely pace
made it easy for photographers to take their time; I did not feel rushed at
all.  

Overall Rating

Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel was fantastic! The staff was extremely helpful
and friendly; very service oriented. From the very first day the staff
greeted me by name. The hotel pays attention to details; upon check in I
was greeted with a cool wet towel and a refreshing drink. There were
absolutely no extra charges for valet parking, local phone calls, use of
in-room safe, porter service, etc. (Several firends staying at the Waikoloa
Hilton were constantly being charged for this and that.) The hotel is
beautiful; it is very quiet and secluded. The beach was voted the best in
the USA by Conde Nast Traveler; it was great for swimming, but the
snorkeling was not great. 

I found the best snorkeling at Honaunau (Place of Refuge) Bay near the
National Park and Kahalu'u Beach Park. There are plenty of things to do
other than dive or snorkel; the giude book "Hawaii The Big Island
Revealed" was extremely helpful
(http://www.wizardpub.com/bigisland/bigisland.html). For fish
identification, I recommend "Hawaii's Fishes, A Guide for Snorkelers,
Divers and Aquarists" by John P. Hoover.

Dive Makai is the best day charter I have encountered. I dove with Kona
Coast Divers on a previous trip; the staff was not very friendly and had a
bad attitude; they enforced limits on dive time and depth; they harrased
the marine life. Dive Makai was just the opposite. They were very
enthusiastic and knowledgable about the island and its marine life. They
dive guides were adept at finding interesting critters and were mindful of
not disturbing the animals. Dive Makai allowed me to dive at my own pace.
They allowed more experienced divers to enter the water first and dive on
their own, while they helped less experienced divers. I saw many
interesting animals: angler fish, mating octopi, spotted eagle rays, helmet
shells feeding on sea urchins, to name a few. 

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