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Dive Review of Kohala Divers/Waikoloa Fairways in
Hawaii/Big Island

Kohala Divers/Waikoloa Fairways, Mar, 2008,

by Ron Jyring, ND, United States (Sr. Reviewer Sr. Reviewer 10 reports with 5 Helpful votes). Report 4428.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food N/A
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments If you don't read any further, know that Kohala Divers is a GREAT outfit! I highly recommend them. They dive the NW coast of the Big Island. This is the most undisturbed region of HI that I have dived. The corals were in excellent condition, except for very minor damage near the openings of swim-throughs (which is to be expected). These hard corals made for somewhat less colorful reefs than in the Caribbean. However, the great diversity of fishes and invertebrates more than made up for it.

We made three two-tank dives over three days with DM's Robin, Chris,and/or Kelly. Water was a little cool for us, but otherwise conditions were excellent, with some gentle surge near the end of the last dive. Turtles were too abundant to count. We saw one white-tipped reef shark (apparently they are usually more common). From the boat we saw whales and dolphins on most trips. According to the captain, one humpback passed some twenty feet from the boat while we were diving, but we divers didn't see it. We did hear plenty of whales singing while diving.

This was my eleven-year-old's first open water dives. His wonderful instructor, Kelly, was patient and enthusiastic. Although well supervised, both he and his 14 year-old brother were treated like divers, not children. It made for a very positive experience for the both of them, and for my wife and I as well.

Nothing about Kohala Divers was bad. The only concerns I had were the costs (but of course everything was expensive in Hawai'i), and the occasional profanities from the crew. Prude that I am, I consider such language always inappropriate, and especially around children (even teenagers).

Accomodations: Our condo at Waikoloa Fairways was part of a vacation package from NWA and was not associated with Kohala Divers. It was very convenient to the diving and to most of the top-side activities that we were interested in. There was not a lot of "nightlife" in the immediate vicinity, and Kona was a fair drive away (neither of which concerned us) . The buildings & grounds were in good shape. There was a pool, fitness center, and beach access (none of which we used). Most annoyingly, there was a "quiet time" policy that was rudely enforced. We are quiet people but when the washing machine continued past ten, we got nasty calls. Despite that, we would consider staying there again.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 51-100 dives
Where else diving ND, FL Keys, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Cozumel, Kauai, Oahu, Maui
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, dry Seas calm, no currents
Water Temp 77-78°F / 25-26°C Wetsuit Thickness 5
Water Visibility 85-100 Ft/ 26-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile ?
Enforced diving restrictions Sites were relatively shallow (less than 70 ft). Air supply was politely monitored by DM's, with no harsh, arbitrary demands.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks 1 or 2 Mantas None
Dolphins Schools Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales > 2
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics 1 stars

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

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 5 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 5 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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