Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Inside the Azeka Makai shopping center on the ocean side of the highway,
B&B Scuba
(1280 S. Kihei Rd., 808/875-2861,
www.bbscuba.com
, 8am-6pm Mon.-Fri., 8am-5pm
weekends) offers guided shore dives for only $59, and they can also arrange a guided
kayak dive to some of the spots which would normally only be accessible by boat. Like
other operators, they also offer night dives ($65) as well as scooter dives ($119) along
the South Maui shoreline. Whereas some other operators in town focus strictly on recre-
ational diving, these guys are a little more hardcore. In addition to offering PADI certific-
ation classes ($349), they also offer IANTD tech diving classes such as trimix, nitrox, and
rebreather training. They provide basic gear rental and tank pumping.
Check out
Scuba Shack
(2349 S. Kihei Rd., 808/891-0500,
www.scubashack.com
)
,
which is tucked behind the gas station across from Kamaole I Beach. Guided dives are
pricier here. Certified divers can book a guided shore dive for $85, whereas introductory
divers will need to shell out $105. Certification classes last three days and are $350, and
the shop also offers a full range of gear and equipment rentals.
Dive Boats
All dive boats in Kihei leave from Kihei Boat Ramp, which is just south of Kamaole III
Beach. Parking is tight in the main lot, so it's best to head to the overflow lot on the right.
The scene at the boat ramp in the morning can be kind of hectic—especially in the dark.
If you can't find your boat, ask any staff member; each charter has its own corner of the
parking lot. Most boats offer coffee aboard their trips if you still need a wakeup, and most
boats also offer private bathrooms if the coffee just goes right through you. Since a number
of boats that leave out of Kihei Boat Ramp don't have offices, bring a credit card or cash
so you can process payment on board. If you plan on diving during your time in Maui,
bring your certification card.
Of all the choices in Kihei, the unanimous top pick among island locals is always
Mike
Severn's
(808/879-6596,
www.mikesevernsdiving.com
)
, Kihei's original dive boat oper-
ation. Although a number of the other operators in Kihei all provide exceptional service,
it's impossible to beat the instructors at Mike Severn's. Not only do the instructors take
the time to show you the species outlined in books—but they also wrote them. Since Mike
Severn's caters to seasoned divers, the instructors don't mandate an underwater game of
“follow the leader.” They give you the freedom to enjoy the dive at your own pace. Two-
tank dives are $130 (plus $15 BC, regulator, and computer rental), and dives meet at 6am
at the Kihei Boat Ramp aboard the 38-foot
Pilikai.
