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Dive Review of Kohala Divers/Aloha Debbie rentals in
Hawaii/Kohala coast

Kohala Divers/Aloha Debbie rentals: "Great Hawaii operation", Aug, 2015,

by Eric Schroeder, CA, US ( 1 report). Report 8475.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations N/A Food N/A
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling 4 stars
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments I've gone diving on about 10 different occasions with Kohala divers and they remain a fine operation for divers going to the Big Island. Most of the dive operations on the Big Island are centered around Kailua; this one isn't--it operates out of Kawaihae harbors, about 30 miles north of the Kailua-Kona airport. It's a little far if you are staying in Kona, but very accessibly from the Kohala resorts or Waimea.
I like Kohala divers for a variety of reasons:
1) They dive a lot of great sites. My favorites are the ones on Puako reef but the sites to the north are good, too, and generally deeper than the ones in Puako (though sometimes at Puako dives will go beyond the edge of the reef and descend to the sandy bottom for a look at the grass eels--usually 80' to 90'.) There's a great range of fish on the Kohala coast and the folks at Kohala divers are happy to point them out. They are also very good with nudibranchs--there's a great selection of them here.
2) Kohala Divers employs a lot of good folks. Rebekah Kaufman, the owner, still dives once a week and is a superb dive leader. Captain Stephen, who drives the boat most days, also dives once a week, and like Rebekah, does a fine job of pointing out rarities. Robin, a long-time dive leader, is alas away traveling the world, but the operation always seems to land on its feet when one of the old pros leaves--there's usually a new face on board immediately, and there's never a dip in the lack of service or the expertise of the crew.
3) These people have a wonderful laid-back manner. While a dive time and maximum depth are always specified for each dive, the divemasters are cognizant of differing levels of ability and make adjustments accordingly. Thus one my last trip (eight dives over four days) I clocked at least an hour of bottom time on each dive (maximum time is generally announced as 50 minutes). These guys know me and they respect my abilities. It's always a pleasure diving with them.
Websites Kohala Divers   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Great Barrier Reef, Ningaloo Reef, Tasmania, Cape Town, Belize, Galapagos, Florida, Scapa Flow, California Coast
Closest Airport Kona Getting There Many direct flights from the west coast.

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm
Water Temp 77-79°F / 25-26°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 50-90 Ft/ 15-27 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions see above
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 2 stars
Large Pelagics N/A

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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