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Dive Review of Kona Honu Divers/White Sands Village in
Hawaii/Kona

Kona Honu Divers/White Sands Village, Jun, 2007,

by Tim Kolakowski, pa, USA (Contributor Contributor 12 reports with 1 Helpful vote). Report 3643.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 1 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 3 stars
Comments It had been 12 years since our last trip to Hawaii so we were long overdue to return. It was time to show our son James all the wonders of the Big Island and do my first diving outside the Caribbean. The Big Island is a destination that offers much more in addition to diving and altitude is a factor. The must-sees include a trip to the Volcano National Park (4000+ ft) and the Muana Kea Observatory (peak 13000+ ft, Visitors Center 9000 ft), and a drive to Hilo and around the island (worth the time). At sea level take the time to kayak to see the dolphins at Kealakakua Bay, see the City Of Refuge (snorkel here also), boogie board at Magic Sands Beach, and snorkel right offshore at many diffrent beaches in the area.
The Big Island does NOT have to be expensive - we paid $120/nt for our 2br/2bath condo at White Sands Village, 4 miles south of Kona. You can spend under $100/nt for a 1br condo in the area. Check www.sunquest-hawaii.com, they are a rental agent for dozens of condos, hotels, and houses. For these prices south of Kona you will not be on a beach, you'll be on the water or across the street from the water. The beach resorts are 10-30 miles north of Kona, there you will spend big $$$.
The diving was good. Since all my diving's been in the Caribbean, even the common fish were new to me. More colorful than the Caribbean too, corals & fish both. Many eels, including pairs in the same spot. A few turtles too. We heard about the occaisional shark sighting, including a fat 12 ft tiger that hangs out near the entrance to the harbor but we didn't see any. Lots of dolphins on the surface and I heard the clicking underwater but none seen. If you're a Caribbean diver you're used to being picked up and dropped off...not here, know that up front. I had to call around until I found Kona Honu Divers who were able to pick me up in the morning. No one else would. They are an excellent operation, particularly for a newer diver. Wonderful service on the boat, excellent guides. Lots of help available for my new digital camera. The highlight was the night Manta dive, do not miss! We saw 2, but other nights saw 8, 10, 12 of them, up to 14' wingspan. I will never forget the sight of those giants ballet dancing through the light, passing an inch from our heads! Aloha, we will return!!

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman, Key Largo, Grand Bahama, Curacao, Saba, Bonaire, St. Vincent, Salt Cay, Jost Van Dyke, Provo, Grand Turk
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, cloudy, dry Seas calm
Water Temp 78-0°F / 26--18°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 75-100 Ft/ 23-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile no
Enforced diving restrictions Stay with group
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

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

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

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 5 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 5 stars Shore Facilities 5 stars
UW Photo Comments Excellent boat, lots of camera room, lots of advice from staff
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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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