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Dive Review of Kona Aggressor II in
Hawaii

Kona Aggressor II, Apr, 2006,

by Eric Ault, IL, U.S.A. (Reviewer Reviewer 5 reports). Report 2409.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 3 stars
Comments We had an enjoyable week aboard the Kona Aggressor II. This was our first trip to Hawaii and we enjoyed seeing all of the Pacific and endemic Hawaiian fish for the first time. We were especially lucky when about 15 mantas showed up for the Manta Ray night dive at a site near the Kona Airport. The week before the mantas failed to show according to the crew. In my book this dive ranks right up there with swimming eye to eye with whale sharks last summer in the Galapagos. Spectacular! Some of us were lucky enough to swim with some spinner dolphins at Manuka Bay. They didn’t exactly play with us, but did come close enough for easy viewing and some pictures. Other sightings included various eels including a dragon moray, flatworms and nudibranchs including Spanish Dancers. Wore a 5/3 wetsuit with hooded vest. Most days did five dives and this kept me warm right through the final dive. The boat holds 14 but we had only 9 for the week. It might be a bit crowded when full. As it was, the camera table was packed even though several people weren’t shooting. Never seen so much camera gear for so few photographers. Most of the rooms open off the salon which might be a problem if anyone is inclined to party. We all went to bed early so no problem. Captain Scott was new to this boat but not to Aggressor’s Pacific fleet. Got the impression that previous captains had let some maintenance slide and Scott was to put things right. That being said, everything worked while we were on the boat. Dive masters Savannah, Auvie and Brandi were great and very good at finding the unusual. Aggressor Pacific veteran captain Brian was aboard for the week and is a great story teller. Chef Jonathan kept us well fed though some of his cuisine was a bit too highly spiced for this old stomach (“terminal” heartburn on one dive!). Only complaint was the insect population on the boat. This is the tropics and you always expect to see a few bugs around, but this was the most I’ve seen in nine liveaboard trips. The crew did put a trap in our cabin which helped some.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving All over the Caribbean & the Galapagos
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy, dry Seas surge
Water Temp 74-77°F / 23-25°C Wetsuit Thickness 5
Water Visibility 60-120 Ft/ 18-37 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Recreational or Nitrox Limits
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

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

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

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars 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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