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Dive Review of Dive Makai/Outrigger Keauhou Beach in
Hawaii/Kona

Dive Makai/Outrigger Keauhou Beach, Aug, 2005,

by Jim Schoeneck, CA, USA . Report 2741.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments Dive Makai seems to have smoothly transitioned from the prior ownership to Mike and Kimberly (the new owners). Crew was outstanding, both on top and in the water. Probably the best dive briefings I've ever had, with not only a focus on what we might see and should be looking for (complete with fish book or custom pics), but also discussion of what fish behaviors to look for.

Underwater, Mike, Todd, Mark and Lydia had great eyes to find the interesting stuff and took time out when the bigger animals (like a squad of spotted eagle rays, some manta rays and a pod of dolphins) came to see us. During a dive with Lydia, we found both a blue stripped butterfly fish (rare and found only in Hawaii) and a white margin eel. Mike did a great job of getting people back to the boat that had modest air consumption skills and then took us on a second tour of the dive for another 30 minutes plus. Overall, we were able to stay underwater for an average of over 70 minutes a dive, even though we often had hit 80-110 feet. For those without great air consumption skills, the crew was quite willing to help teach some techniques.

Each day out of the harbor, the crew would ask what we wanted to see and generally delivered, including a Harlequin Shrimp, leaf scorpion fish, dragon wrasse and a frogfish. Overall in 3 days of diving, we counted 16 species of butterfly fish and 10 types of eels. We saw 20+ spinner dolphin while diving, a school of over 100 Heller's baracuda, 7 manta rays, 6 eagle rays, and more nudibranchs than I could count, including the largest Spanish Dancer I've ever seen (10-12 inches).

The only downside is that the boat does not have a head on board, so you get to jump in the ocean or step down the ladder when nature calls.

Tom, who does the reservations, was quick to respond and very, very helpful both before we got to Hawaii and on island.

We dove with the previous owners, Lisa and Kendra, and as I mentioned, Mike has done a great job to keep up the traditions of Dive Makai. He's also added regular Manta Dives to the schedule, which was great (last time we had to drag our equipment and go with Jack's to do the mantas).

Overall, a great dive trip with a great bunch of people.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 101-250 dives
Where else diving Caribbean, Mexico, California, Hawaii
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm
Water Temp 78-82°F / 26-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 70-150 Ft/ 21-46 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions 130 ft recreational diving limit only; air, be back on the boat with 300 psi (steel low pressure tanks), diving as long as you want or can
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

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

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

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 5 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments deidicated rinse bucket, special care taken for cameras when coming back on boat
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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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