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Dive Review of Bubbles Below/NA in
Hawaii/Kauai

Bubbles Below/NA, Jun, 2002,

by Jill Rain, WA, USA . Report 54.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 3 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 3 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 1 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments Bubbles below is a class operation - rates are pricy but you get a discount after several days with them, and they have no trouble filling their boat. Book ahead, esp. Niihau. Usuallu 8 divers max on the 35' high speed boat. Dive as a group, but not in tight formation; no buddies assigned which I appreciated as a single diver. Divers go up as individual air supply lasts. DM stays until last diver ascends. Over my week of diving I saw no other dive groups above or below water. Most days dive south shore : 10 min - 1 hr away, depends on variable currents. 2-tank dives, plenty of snacks on board. Mornings are better than afternoons for viz though the night dives are worth doing. Some of these local sites are good enough to dive more than once. Dive masters, including Linda (BB owner), very informative and enthusiatic about creatures and their natural history. Algal reef with some hard coral. Abundant reef fish (esp. surgeonfish, butterfly fish, triggerfish -Linda will explain why these), eels, lobster , lots of turtles and sharks (mostly white-tip, one hammerhead). John P. Hoover fish and creature books are best. Twice weekly trips to Niihau - these get cancelled about 30% of the time due to rough seas in open channel but if so, they usually go around to Na Pali coast instead, with excellent diving and terrific views from the boat. Niihau ($250 - 3 tanks) is remote - an all day trip with dramatic underwater topography, big pelagics, monk seals, and lush reef communities, incl. lionfish, tiger cowries, black coral. Some strong currents. Snorkel with dolphins during surface interval. No dive shop - bring all your own gear or arrange for rental ahead. You will need to rent a car to get down to Port Allen marina and around Kauai in general. I stayed at a B&B recommended by BB in nearby Kalaheo; if you stay on the north shore it's a 1- 1 1/2 hr drive to the dock. 2-tank dive days get you back in time to go snorkeling or hanging out at one of the many excellent beaches.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 101-250 dives
Where else diving Caribbean, Australia, Baja, Canada
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, dry Seas calm, choppy, surge, currents, noCurrents
Water Temp 79-80°F / 26-27°C Wetsuit Thickness 5
Water Visibility 40-80 Ft/ 12-24 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile ?
Enforced diving restrictions 500 psi
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas None
Dolphins Schools Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 2 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 4 stars
Large Pelagics 5 stars

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

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
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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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