February 2005

Vol. 20, No. 2     What's this?

Hawaiian Tips

from the February, 2005 issue of Undercurrent  

Undercurrent reader Deborah Telesmanic (Potter Valley, CA) was on Maui diving in November and passed along this tip.

Telesmanic and her friend booked a day trip for two dives aboard the Extended Horizons, which crosses the channel from Maui to Moloki. Because the channel can be rough, only a few companies make the crossing, all using larger boats (no 6-packs). Deborah and her friend learned that the boat company would allow one of Octopus Reef’s instructors to ride along free as a “private guide.” Splitting the $100 cost of the guide for the day paid off in several ways for Deborah and her friend. They were always the first in and the last out of the water, meaning they got to dive almost TWICE as long as the main group. In addition, their guide was a great source of marine information, pointing out sea life and allowing them to see a lot of creatures the main crowd probably missed as well as take photos that were clear of the junk inevitably kicked up by a gaggle of divers. This kind of premium service might be available at other dive destinations if divers asked, and it may be worth the few extra bucks, so consider making the inquiry.

Dive Makai has been a longtime favorite for Undercurrent readers diving the Big Island of Hawaii. Now owners Tom Shockley and Lisa Choquette have put their operation up for sale. If you feel the calling to run a dive operation in Hawaii and have $850,000 socked away, you can contact them at lisa@divemakai.com, but that’s not the tip. The tip is that Lisa plans to start a small 6-pack-sized operation for experienced divers that will dive the places no one else goes and find the animals no one else sees. If they get the operation set up, it may be worth trying. If you’re headed for the Big Island in the future, check with Lisa at the the e-mail address above as to the status of their new endeavor.