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Dive Review of Dive Makai/None in
Hawaii/Kona

Dive Makai/None, Sep, 2006,

by Peter Tsugawa, CA, USA . Report 3037.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food 2 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 5 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments I had spent a fair amount of time researching which dive operator to go with on Kona (my first trip there) and Dive Makai really stood out as one of the only ones I was interested in (Pacific Rim looked good). After emails and phone conversations with Tom Shockley (the original owner), I was sold. I’ve done a lot of diving in California and Micronesia over the last 11 years and my experience with Dive Makai (and its new owner Mike Henshaw) was nothing short of outstanding. I was trying out a new digital camera system and Dive Makai and Kona waters were a great combination to learn to shoot. All of the guides and Mike were fantastically friendly, very service oriented, gave very detailed briefings of each site and most importantly the fish we would try to see. I learned more about fish on this trip then all the years of diving prior to this trip. We saw things not many other dive operators would have been able to point out (blue stripe pipefish, Whitley's boxfish, gigantic preganent frogfish and male side kick, etc.) Slow paced dives (great for photographers) and I averaged 60-75 minute dives well within safe recreational diving parameters and computer NDL. They were a great group and Tom found a great new owner to carry on the traditions he had established over the years. I was not fortunate to meet Tom in person or Dive with him, but his legacy surely lives on. It's not a fancy operation, no shop, limited snacks but a very fun group to dive with and oustanding service. They rinse and storage gear for multiple dive days. A memorable experience and I highly recommend Dive Makai.


Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Mendocino, Monterey, Channel Islands, Cozumel, Kosrae, Pohnpei, Yap, Palau
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm, surge
Water Temp 77-80°F / 25-27°C Wetsuit Thickness 0
Water Visibility 75-150 Ft/ 23-46 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Able to dive own profile with strong encouragement to be responsible and not exceed safe recreational parameters. Stay within visual contact with guides, don't touch, collect, chase marine life.
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 4 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 2 stars
Large Pelagics 2 stars

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

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 5 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments I had just switched from my trusty N5 system to a dual strobe digital system and Dive Makai and Kona combination was about as good as it gets for learning a new system. Very slow and stopped diving pace, very small groups (as low as 2 - 6 max per guide), great pre-dive fish identification briefings and extended bottom time at your ability. Crew was very careful handling camera gear.
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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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