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Dive Review of Sandwich Isle/Kona Coast Resort in
Hawaii/Kona Coast

Sandwich Isle/Kona Coast Resort, Jan, 2014,

by Ms. Joann Mead, OH, US (Reviewer Reviewer 5 reports with 1 Helpful vote). Report 7766.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations N/A Food N/A
Service and Attitude N/A Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling 5 stars
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments Sandwich Isles have been diving Kona since 1982 and know the waters extremely well. Sandwich Isles closed their shop a couple of years ago so they are now strictly just a boat operation. They leave from Honokahau Harbor. Their boat is small and there isn't a lot of shade. At the most there are 6 divers, a couple of dive masters and the captain on board. Steve, the owner, usually captains the boat. Dive masters are mature and have been with him for a number of years. It is a relaxed operation and you are not rushed to get in or out of the water. They help you get in and out of your gear. Most people take their gear off in the water as the ladder to get onto the boat is straight up. You are usually out about 4-5 hours and they only have snacks on board. You're welcome to bring your own lunch. There are no restrooms on board; one usually takes off the suit and jumps in between dives. Many of his customers have been diving with Sandwich Isles for years and most of his advertising is word of mouth. In whale season, surface intervals are frequently spent looks for whales or other creatures. Dives are from the boat tied up to a mooring ball. Visibility is generally 100+ feet. When swells are up, they look for sites that are protected. The dive master checks for current and visibility at the dive site and they will move on if it isn't good. If you go out with them a number of times, they will try to mix up the sites so there isn't repeat.
Websites Sandwich Isle   Kona Coast Resort

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving Caribbean, Palau, Fiji, Costa Rica, Florida
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy, cloudy, dry Seas calm, choppy, surge
Water Temp 76-78°F / 24-26°C Wetsuit Thickness 5
Water Visibility 80-120 Ft/ 24-37 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Most of the dive sites are 30-60 feet and about an hour. Since we have been diving with them for a number of years, they allow us to dive how we want but we generally stick with the guides so we get back to the boat. We dive our air.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks 1 or 2 Mantas 1 or 2
Dolphins Schools Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 3 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 4 stars
Large Pelagics 3 stars

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

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 1 stars
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Sandwich Isles has a small boat (6 passenger) so there isn't much room for big camera equipment and no fresh water rinse between dives.
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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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