Dive Review of Maui Dive Shop/Hyatt Regency Maui in
Hawaii/Maui

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Maui Dive Shop/Hyatt Regency Maui, Jan, 2007, by Paul Schmieder, TX, United States . Report 3200.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity	N/A
Dive Operation		Shore Diving
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$	N/A
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	Never having been to Hawaii before, my wife and I were fortunate to have won a trip and lodging at the Hyatt Regency Maui in Ka’anapoli. Since this was new territory for me, I read all the reviews available, both in the Chapbook and websites online, and had decided to book two or three 2-tank dives with either Ed Robinson or Dive Maui after our arrival and a first-hand lay of the land. On our first full day we were strolling along Whaler’s Village to buy gifts for our home folks when, turning a corner, I came face to face with the northern branch of Maui Dive Shop. It felt as if providence had led me to their portal and so I entered, somewhat entranced, to inquire what dive trips were offered or available. With an embarrassing lack of self-restraint, my credit card was quickly out and I had signed up for a next day 2-tank trip to the Cathedrals on L’anai and, the day after that, another 2-tanker to Molokini Island, a semi-submerged volcanic crater. Because late morning and afternoon trade winds tend to increase choppiness, the dive groups for these trips assemble dockside at Wailea Harbor by 6:30 am, which is just before dawn local time. Coming from the U.S. central time zone proved to be advantageous and with our 4-hour difference in relative times the early start was enjoyable. As night turned into day we were well on our way toward the Cathedrals on L’anai, which is 25 miles or about a 2 ½ hour boat ride away. Maui Dive Shop’s boat is equipped for up to 24 divers but, amazingly, there were only 6 divers and 4 crewmembers on board. When I asked about the lack of passengers, the crew advised me that I was just past the peak tourist season when they’re typically packed to capacity and, otherwise, they’ll run even if there is only one diver booked. Apparently, this is their time to enjoy the wonder of diving, as well. With just 6 divers we were allowed the leeway to dive and explore according to the pre-determined depth limits and our available air as long as we had more than their minimum 800 lbs. PSI air in the tank before ascending to a safety stop at 15 feet. The crew was exceedingly friendly, helpful and performed all the first/second stage, tank and BCD connections. Additionally, the dives were guided with enthusiasm and an inclination to show a Hawaiian newcomer everything. From what I observed of Hawaiian diving it does not have Caribbean-esque coral formations—they tend to be shorter and more tightly grouped, almost Cauliflower-like in texture, but diving here does have plenty of volcanic formations and an abundance of fish. And so, on the next day I fell in love with Molokini, which is a shorter boat ride of about 10 miles and where I could actually hear distant whale song while underwater and in the midst of a host of colorful fish. I did not dive on the third day so that I would be able to safely drive to the top of Haleakala, Maui’s dormant volcano, on day four. At 10,023 feet in elevation it was necessary to follow post-dive altitude protocol, but well worth the view. And on day five I was signed up for another boat ride to Molokini with Maui Dive Shop. And yes, I’d do it all over again. We’ll definitely go back to Hawaii and, hopefully, explore more of the islands.
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	101-250 dives
Where else diving	Cozumel, Yucatan, Belize, Virgin Islands, Little Cayman, California (Channel Islands and Monterey), Australia and New Zealand.
Closest Airport		Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny, dry	Seas	calm, choppy, noCurrents
Water Temp	72-74°F / 22-23°C	Wetsuit Thickness	3
Water Visibility	50-80 Ft/ 15-24 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	no
Enforced diving restrictions	The pre-dive briefs specified depths and duration, but as long as you had more than 800 lbs air, you were allowed to continue diving. At 800 lbs. you were expected to do your safety stop at 15 feet.
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	N/A
What I Saw
Sharks	1 or 2	Mantas	None
Dolphins	None	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	None	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	A willingness to hand your camera to you after the giant stride entry and a rinse bucket for after dives.

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Dive Review of Maui Dive Shop/Hyatt Regency Maui in Hawaii/Maui

Maui Dive Shop/Hyatt Regency Maui, Jan, 2007,

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

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

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

Dive Review of Maui Dive Shop/Hyatt Regency Maui in
Hawaii/Maui