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Dive Review of Kaimana Divers/Hale Koa in
Hawaii/Oahu

Kaimana Divers/Hale Koa: "Good diving in Oahu", Sep, 2015,

by Dan Lundien, MD, US ( 2 reports). Report 8548.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments This was my first time diving in Oahu and Gabe and his team made it a great experience. I made four dives on two different days. The weather wasn't great because a hurricane was trying to develop south of the islands, but the water wasn't too choppy. However, the water temperature was unusually warm for this time of the year. I dove with only a tee shirt.

On the first two dives there were four divers along with Will, out dive leader. We went to the Sea Tiger for our first dive. there was a pretty strong current and we had to work to get down to the wreck because there was another group hanging on the line for dear life. once we got around them and made it to the wreck, one of our divers was almost out of air due to a free flowing octopus. I was able to explore a small part of the bow area while Will went up with the diver. Not the greatest dive, but Mother Nature isn't always your friend.

The second dive was much better we did a drift dive at about 50 feet for an hour or so. We saw a lot of eels and other fish as well as a white tip shark. At one point I was far enough away from the rest of the group that I could only see their bubbles and there wasn't a problem. Will told me later that he was aware of where I was and was keeping an eye on me.

On the second day of diving the weather was about the same as the first day. We only had three divers this day and Gabe was our dive leader. The first dive was back to the Sea Tiger. There was still a current, but it wasn't nearly as strong as the time before. As we got to the deck, a large turtle emerged and swam by us heading for the surface. Later we say a spotted ray and a couple of white tip sharks off the side of the wreck. There were several eels and a lot of fish in and around the wreck. A much better dive than the first time.

The second dive was a pleasant dive at about 40 feet. Gabe pointed out a lot of critters such as an octopus, several crabs, eels, and some other rarer fish.

Overall Gabe and his team did a great job. I really enjoyed the small number of divers and the fact that we were treated as proficient divers instead of as beginners like some operations treat you. I would definitely dive with them again and I will recommend them to my friends.

The Hale Koa is an Armed Services Recreation Center located on Waikiki beach. The rooms are nice and clean. The hotel has several restaurants that provide good food. The hotel has a spa, a couple of pools, and a large beach area as well as an Exchange. Overall it is a good value for military members and government employees.
Websites Kaimana Divers   Hale Koa

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving Bonaire, Curaçao, Grand Cayman, Roatan, Saba, Turks & Caicos
Closest Airport Honolulu International Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather cloudy Seas choppy
Water Temp 82-85°F / 28-29°C Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility 50-100 Ft/ 15-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions stay roughly with the group, keep dive leader informed of your air, start up around 800PSI.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks 1 or 2 Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles 1 or 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 4 stars
Large Pelagics 4 stars

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

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments They helped with cameras getting into and out of the water. There was a bucket available strictly for cameras.
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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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