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Dive Review of Kona Aggressor II in
Hawaii/Kona Aggressor

Kona Aggressor II: "Easy Pacific Diving at a great price", Feb, 2016,

by Randall S Preissig, TX, US (Top Contributor Top Contributor 37 reports with 15 Helpful votes). Report 8827.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 5 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments This was my seventh trip on the Kona Aggressor, so obviously I'm pleased with the location, underwater life, the company, etc. I'll add that combining the week dive trip with a vacation to the Hawaiian Islands is a real winner. On a pre-dive trip to Volcanos National Park,the lava was filling Kileaua Crater almost to the top and the nighttime show was spectacular this trip.
Hawaii is not Raja Amphat, but you get plenty of typical Pacific critters with virtually guaranteed Mantas on the night dive, plus if you go in Jan/Feb/Mar you often get to hear whales underwater and see them above water. Also, the trip is relatively inexpensive for a liveaboard of Aggressor quality. UNDERCURRENT TIP: late in almost every year they will run "sales" discounting Jan and Feb. trips, as tourism drops off drastically after the holidays. Unfortunately, El Nino delayed the arrival of the whales this year and encounters were way below normal. Also, El Nino affected the water temperature (warmer) as well as the trade winds, surge, etc. After 35 years of diving all over the Pacific, I would advise anyone to reconsider a trip during El Nino years.
Food was excellent (full time chef, not a crew member cooking), rooms were the usual Aggressor excellent, and Captain Cliff kept the boat and crew running like a clock. I'll be back for an eighth trip.
Websites Kona Aggressor II   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving Red Sea, Raja Amphat, Komodo, Thailand, Sipadan, Tahiti, Palau, Australia, Hawaii, Myamar
Fiji, Cocos, Galapagos, Caymans, Bonaire, Cozumel, Belize, Etc.
Closest Airport KOA Getting There Many flights to the big Island. It is easy and relatively cheap to get to this Pacific diving. I usually combine my trip with a vacation to Maui, increasing the savings and convenience even more.

Dive Conditions

Weather windy Seas surge
Water Temp 77-77°F / 25-25°C Wetsuit Thickness 5
Water Visibility 60-100 Ft/ 18-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Buddy diving, sport diving limits. Almost all dives were above 80 feet. You were allowed as much dive time as air allowed (500# minimum on return) You could do the guided tour or buddy dive separately.
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas Squadrons
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles 1 or 2 Whales 1 or 2
Corals 3 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish 4 stars
Large Pelagics 5 stars

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

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 5 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Aggressor became famous in its early years as a "photographer's boat" when it had E6 processing on all boats as well as a photographer. It remains photographer friendly with excellent large photo tables (EVERYONE has a camera nowadays), many electric plugs, rinse tanks, professional handling of cameras, etc.
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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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