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Dive Review of Lahaina Divers/Papakea Resort in
Hawaii/West Maui

Lahaina Divers/Papakea Resort: "Maui Repeat", Sep, 2015,

by Jeff Robertson FantaSea Exped, CA, US (Contributor Contributor 17 reports with 2 Helpful votes). Report 8527.

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 4 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 4 stars
Snorkeling 4 stars
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments This is a repeat review for me of Lahaina Divers, but I believe it is time warranted. I've been diving with LD for more than 10 years now, whenever I venture to Maui. I have tried other ops on island and have no complaints there, but for me LD seems to be a good fit. The staff is great; professional, competent and knowledgeable. For 15 years the owners have shown a knack for finding and employing experienced dive staff who offer a consistently high quality of service. They currently run 2 46' Newtons most often piloted by very capable captains JB and Buzzy. The Dauntless and Dominion are very reliable and stable dive platforms. LD runs these boats to a wide variety of dive sites, some not offered elsewhere on the island. Divers are assigned to groups on each boat by skill level. Each group is led by a divemaster who is more of a knowledgeable guide than enforcer. Demonstrate your skill level and be rewarded with deference. You get informative safety, boat and dive briefings along with fish identification tips. I have to give a big shout out to dive instructors Levi and Josie who recently earned their captains licenses. Hoorah! Each has been with LD for many years, proof that LD knows the value of encouraging and developing staff. On my recent trip I also had the pleasure of meeting and diving with new staff Mitch, Mike and Michele. The reefs are healthy and the diving is good; from reef dives to Lanai backside drift dives, caverns, Molokini backwall or crater dives, the Carthaginian wreck dive or a twice a week chance to see hammerheads at Molokai. Take your pick. You can even set up a private charter for your group in the afternoons. So, when you get to Maui stop in at Lahaina Divers and say aloha for me. Mahalo.
Websites Lahaina Divers   Papakea Resort

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving California, Florida, Bahamas, Carib, West Indies, Pacific Micronesia, Melanesia, Polynesea & GBR
Closest Airport Kahului Getting There Alaska Airlines direct from several cities in California.

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy, rainy, cloudy, dry Seas calm, no currents
Water Temp 82-84°F / 28-29°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 40-150 Ft/ 12-46 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions No deco diving, stay within sight of group gently encouraged
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics 3 stars

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

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Dedicated fresh water bin for cameras only, which is sufficient. The staff is excellent at taking up your uwp gear upon exit and placing it in the fw bin. On drift dives, be prepared to take your gear with you upon entry.
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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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