Dive Review of Kona Aggressor II in
Hawaii/Kona Coast, Hawaii

Service and Attitude, Large fish, and Overall Rating for UW Photographers should have been rated 5 stars(best). Sorry for the typo/R. Preissig

Randall, I dove on the KA II Jan 18-25, and while we had rough water and missed 1/2 day of diving on Wed (swell of the decade), the crew was fantastic, as was the food. I second all your comments. Saw a whale shark on the surface on Sunday, and most everyone jumped into to snorkel with the shark. I'd go back again. Note that the ladders are at a shallow angle, which can be difficult getting up in rough seas without risking slamming your head on the steps. Procedure is to hang on bar between ladders, just below swim deck, take off fins, then make your way to one of the ladders. I mention this for those who might have physical limitations. You really need a 5 mm wetsuit if you're diving Hawaii in the winter. Hawaii diving is expensive ($125 plus tip and transportation for a 2-tank boat trip), so you really get your money's worth by going on the KA II. We only had 7 guests my week.

Any heavy currents and drift diving?Thanks

I recall we dove from the anchored boat on every dive. No big currents, though rough on surface (unusually high winter swell). I don't recall any heavy current off any of the islands. If there is a noticeable "drift", guides usually adjust start of dive to go with the flow (such as Molokini backwall off Maui). There was a noticeable surge on the Manta night dive (which I skipped, and saw 3 or 4 Mantas right at the boat); those who did the dive reported they had a hard time staying in place on the bottom.