Diving in Maui for a newbie?

Hello,
I just recently got padi certified my wife and I will be going to maui
in late september. Does anyone have any recomendations? I would prefer
a nice small operation that has no problems letting me dive with the
"Master diver" or someone else very experienced who's with the
operation, this will be my very first diving experience outside of the
4 dives at a quarry. This may be the only time we take a trip to maui
so I don't want to dive with new groups at shallow reefs etc. I would
like to jump right in at the "good sites". We will be staying
Kaanapali.

Thank you very much

"basenji" <basenji@mail.com> wrote in message
news:080820030827305766%basenji@mail.com...
> Hello,
> I just recently got padi certified my wife and I will be going to maui
> in late september. Does anyone have any recomendations? I would prefer
> a nice small operation that has no problems letting me dive with the
> "Master diver" or someone else very experienced who's with the
> operation, this will be my very first diving experience outside of the
> 4 dives at a quarry. This may be the only time we take a trip to maui
> so I don't want to dive with new groups at shallow reefs etc. I would
> like to jump right in at the "good sites". We will be staying
> Kaanapali.
>


Most small boat operations cater to experienced divers. The experienced
divers go to smaller boats to avoid newbies and with very good reason. Many
of the dives around Maui require skills you, as a newbie, don't have yet.
If you really must make this some "big game hunting trip of a lifetime" then
I suggest you pay the money to charter your own boat and crew along with an
instructor to ride herd and keep the reins in tight.



suds

Late September?? The way I see it, you have 6 or 7 weekends between then and
now to go get some more diving experience! The more experience you have, the
more you will enjoy your Hi. dives! And, trust me, having dove in a quarry
before, you will really appreciate the warm clear water!

Get off your butt and dive!
Chuck

basenji <basenji@mail.com> wrote in message
news:080820030827305766%basenji@mail.com...
> Hello,
> I just recently got padi certified my wife and I will be going to maui
> in late september. Does anyone have any recomendations? I would prefer
> a nice small operation that has no problems letting me dive with the
> "Master diver" or someone else very experienced who's with the
> operation, this will be my very first diving experience outside of the
> 4 dives at a quarry. This may be the only time we take a trip to maui
> so I don't want to dive with new groups at shallow reefs etc. I would
> like to jump right in at the "good sites". We will be staying
> Kaanapali.
>
> Thank you very much

basenji <basenji@mail.com> wrote:
>I just recently got padi certified my wife and I will be going to maui
>in late september. Does anyone have any recomendations? I would prefer
>a nice small operation that has no problems letting me dive with the
>"Master diver" or someone else very experienced who's with the
>operation, this will be my very first diving experience outside of the
>4 dives at a quarry. This may be the only time we take a trip to maui

The normal mode of operation for Maui and other warm water regions
is that 6 divers hit the water with a DM. That said, if you require
a greater level of attention you should inform the operator - you should
be capable of taking care of yourself for the most part.

--
Jason O'Rourke www.jor.com

Hi,

Check out Maui Sun Divers, operated by Bobby Baker.
http://www.mauisundivers.com/
We dove with him 4 1/2 years ago when we were uncertified, and plan to dive
with him again when we return in March. We have since been certified. He
is unconventional, but his diving isn't. He's very serious about safety,
and about making sure you have the time of your life. If you're a newbie,
he will help get you comfortable and ready for boat dive operators on the
island. And, he doesn't take out "groups". The first time there were only
three of us. The second time, just my husband and I went.

For boat diving, check out Ed Robinson's. I haven't used him, but he's been
recommended to me. I was also told by my dive instructor that many times
the boat diving companies will send a trained diver along as a guide (but
you still need to be comfortable enough on your own to dive).

Sue


> basenji <basenji@mail.com> wrote in message
> news:080820030827305766%basenji@mail.com...
> > Hello,
> > I just recently got padi certified my wife and I will be going to maui
> > in late september. Does anyone have any recomendations? I would prefer
> > a nice small operation that has no problems letting me dive with the
> > "Master diver" or someone else very experienced who's with the
> > operation, this will be my very first diving experience outside of the
> > 4 dives at a quarry. This may be the only time we take a trip to maui
> > so I don't want to dive with new groups at shallow reefs etc. I would
> > like to jump right in at the "good sites". We will be staying
> > Kaanapali.
> >
> > Thank you very much
>
>

"Susan Margarit" <mail@drmargaritDOT.com> wrote in message
news:x%xZa.12$Ik7.71561@news.uswest.net...

> For boat diving, check out Ed Robinson's. I haven't used him, but he's
been
> recommended to me. I was also told by my dive instructor that many times
> the boat diving companies will send a trained diver along as a guide (but
> you still need to be comfortable enough on your own to dive).
>


Ed Robinson's is a good outfit and I'll recommend them. They use small
boats and have very experienced, professional crews. You are certainly
within your right to call Ed Robinson's but, from my own experience, they
are very selective about who they accept.


suds

>
> Ed Robinson's is a good outfit and I'll recommend them. They use small
> boats and have very experienced, professional crews. You are certainly
> within your right to call Ed Robinson's but, from my own experience, they
> are very selective about who they accept.


If Ed Robinson is booked solid, and he often is, try Scuba Shack at
http://www.scubashack.com. They have been rated Number 1 Reader's Choice
from a various sources for the last couple of years. Four years ago, before
they became famous, My daughter and I were certified through them. I can
tell you that they deserve all their awards. They do a lot of training and
certification, so they can easily cater to newbies. They send a dive master
with each group of about 6 divers. Their boat holds about 12, and it is
their own boat. Very few dive companies on Maui actually have their own
boat. New divers should have no problem with most of the dive sites around
Maui.

Scottdee

suds << Attorney General John Ashcroft> wrote:
>Ed Robinson's is a good outfit and I'll recommend them. They use small
>boats and have very experienced, professional crews. You are certainly
>within your right to call Ed Robinson's but, from my own experience, they
>are very selective about who they accept.

Is that a recent development? I was at Maui 7 years back and wasn't fully
happy about being on the 12 person boat over the 6, as the average skill
level seemed lower than that of my just certified (in Monterey) buddy.
In any event, definitely a good operation.

--
Jason O'Rourke www.jor.com