ISLAND DIVERS HAWAII DIVE REPORTS

Hollis Tech Days
Matt Zimmerman

The best way to purchase scuba gear – Hollis Tech Days

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What is Hollis Tech Days?Hollis Tech Days

In 2019 Hollis put together a traveling scuba demo program to bring their equipment to various dealers around the country.  The idea is to let divers try the equipment to help them make a more informed decision about purchases.  A great idea and a great opportunity for local divers.  On Oahu, that event is October 15th, 2019 at the Richardson Pool on Schofield Barracks.  Besides six different types of equipment packages that range from traveling gear to sidemount, there is also the opportunity to try a Prism2 Rebreather under the supervision of a Prism2 instructor.

For the Oahu event there is a small fee to participate that covers staff time and the BBQ.  However, the registration fee is applicable to purchases made at the event.

Can I try sidemount diving?

Yes!  Okay, so if you have been a diver for any amount of time you have probably been curious about sidemount diving.  But, chances are you are now pretty comfortable with your equipment and are not sure you want to change or invest in another set of equipment.  How can you know for sure if you really like it before you drop the cash?  It is a good thing that Hollis Tech Days exists and that you can come find out what is like without making a commitment.

One of the things I like most about sidemount diving is the comfortable diving position in the water.  It really does make that head up and feet back proper trim position easier to maintain.  The other bonuses are the extra and redundant air supply you have with you on the dive.  And for divers with bad back, it is really easy to hand off the weight of the cylinder at the swim step for an easier exit from the water.

Tech Gear Packages Page twoDiving Doubles

Another thing you have probably been curious about but haven’t had the opportunity to try.  Here is your chance.  you will be amazed at the increase in stability that you have with the extra mass more distributed across you back when you are in the water.   The up and down on the boat can be a bit harder, so this one if for strong divers.

Try Rebreather

Judging from the early response to the event, this is where a lot of the interest lies.  A rebreather course is $1500, and a rebreather about $7500, so the chance to try one out for $50 is pretty attractive.  Of course, you will be closely supervised during the pool experience as this short experience will only introduce you to what it is like.  The thing most accomplished divers notice right away is that you can no longer control your buoyancy with your breath!

Discounts at the EventTech Gear Packages page one

Click on the pictures here to look at the packages that we will be diving and the 20% off retail that you can get at the event.  Also, because HI is the last stop on the Hollis Tech Days Tour, the DEMO packages that we will be diving are going to be sold for 40% off!

Hope you get a chance to join us.  This really is a great opportunity to try some equipment that you might not otherwise get to dive.  The event will be fun even if you are not in the market for an equipment purchase at this time.  But be careful, falling in love with new scuba gear can cost you!  (but not as much at this event).

 

 

James Donaldson

Matching Your Gear to Hawaii Diving

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Diving in Hawaii is an experience not to be missed, with the wrecks and the reefs and the caverns in between. Not to mention the wide array of coral, fish, and other sea creatures that remind you of the very different world underwater.

When planning your gear, you need to pick out what works best for the environment and the climate. Your next consideration is what type of dive it is. Let’s look at your basic gear, then some of the more specialized pieces you will need.

Matching Your Gear to Hawaii Diving

Neoprene full wetsuit

Hawaii is an area warm weather but with cool sea winds and cold seawater. If you plan to pick your dives on the site, one basic neoprene full wetsuit will do. It’s light and buoyant. The full coverage lets you adapt to anything from free diving to wreck diving. 3mm will do because of the warm weather.

On that note, even if you bring fins, you don’t need any fin boots. The weather won’t be cold enough to justify the extra weight.

45-pound tank

Most of the dives around Hawaii are light and beginner-friendly. Even when you are renting gear, expect to be given a 45-pound tank, which holds about 80 cubic inches of air. Should you require two for a sidemount harness, or for longer dives. it might be best to prepare that part of the gear yourself.

Lead weights

Hawaii is just off the Pacific Ocean, with currents to match. To stabilize your position in the water, especially with a buoyant neoprene wetsuit, don’t forget your lead weights. Whether you bring or you measure it out on the spot, remember this formula: the weight is 10 percent of your weight, minus 2 pounds. Learn more about lead weight and how they impact your dive.

Basic moral of the Hawaii diving story: think warm water and light gear. If you need to rent some scuba gear or buy some when you get here, Island Divers has you covered. If you are flying in and want to research travel scuba gear before your trip, we highly recommend that as well.

The Dive Sites

Wreck diving

Oahu has two of the famous wrecks you can dive in: the USS YO-257 and the San Pedro. To minimize risks to yourself, remember the following:

  • Wear a full wetsuit to protect your skin from cuts and scrapes
  • Wear gloves to protect your hands from the wreckage
  • Pick a light harness and fins that are made for control (not speed)

Usually you dive in daylight to be safe. Minimize contact with the wreck, not just to preserve it but to avoid eels that live in the hollows.

Reef diving

Reef diving usually starts with swimming straight down to the reef, hovering for a while, and then swimming back up (decompression stops as needed). This means buoyancy and control is key.

Your full-body neoprene wetsuit has air pockets that will keep you buoyant. The lead weights will help you stabilize for control. Don’t forget the fins, which will also lend you control and propulsion.

Nighttime / darkness diving

Wrecks and reefs are mostly daytime activities. However, some of the best marine diving is conducted in the evening, and one of the more fun man-made areas–a large pipe–is completely dark.

Your full-body wetsuit should keep you warm. Don’t forget at least three lights for safety, but don’t bring anything too bright or strobe-like. That might stress out marine life. For other areas like the pipe, bring a good camera for macrophotography.

Grab your night gear and learn more about our Pelagic Night Dives.

Matching Your Gear to Hawaii Diving: A Must for Perfection

Hawaii looks like paradise, but it has its own dangers. To fully enjoy the experience, you need to fully prepare for the dive. To learn more about the best diving and deals at Island Divers, check out our daily scuba diving specials.

Matt Zimmerman

Diving at the end of the Road – at the base of the Kaena Point Trailhead

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August 19th Club Beach dive

So this past weekend the Oahu Scuba Diving club headed out to Makaha Beach for a BBQ and a couple of dive from the beach to Makaha Caverns, what made this dive special is that the club had the South Seas II moored near the caverns, so divers were able to take a surface interval on the boat and change tanks out there.  Pretty cool event that is free to club members.  If you haven’t joined, you probably should.  Here are a few pics.  Scroll down if you want to read about the Kaena Point shore dive that broke out at this event.

Joining the club

If you are looking for information on joining the club, we do cool events all year long, and you get everyday discounts on boat charters.  It is a great deal.  Here the link to find out more.

Exploration Dive

So I’ve been in the diving industry on Oahu for many years, but I have never jumped in the water off the beach at the end of the road which is the trailhead for Keana Point.  For those of you that don’t know, that is were the road ends and the trail to Ka’ena Point starts.  Turns out there is a reasonable beach entry there if the sure is small.  It is a little bit of a scramble, and I slipped on my butt once, but not to bad over all.  You’ll know you are at the right place when you see the No Parking, Emergency Turnaround signs

 

beach entry at Kaena Point

The entry

road near Kaena Point

Looking back down the road. See the legal parking?

Emergency Turn around signs at Kaena Point

Close when you see these signs

The Kaena Point Dive

So getting in not a big deal, sandy area in waist deep water good for putting on fins.  Then basically you follow the channel that you start in out to sea.  I’m used google maps to see that I went about 1500ft out before turn around.  The coolest part of the dive was at the turn around, and I’m posting that video here.  You can also see that with more air/time there is quite a bit more to explore.  The average depth was probably only 25ft, so make sure you are weighted.  Overall I wouldn’t rate this one of the best shore dives on Oahu, but it did take me 18 years to get here, and it was neat.  Next time, scooter and a rebreather.  Here is the screenshot I took off Google that gave me distance:

dive map of Kaena Point shore dive

The Kaena Point Dive Video

So you can see from the dive map that I turned around when I hit a small wall, about 8′ high, that held a ton of fish.  Got a nice little video clip that I will share.

 

freediver ascending from a dive to the Mahi
freediver ascending from a dive to the Mahi
freediver ascending from a dive to the Mahi
freedivers at the surface in Waianae
freedivers at the surface in Waianae
freediver line diving at the mahi wreck
freediver line diving at the mahi wreck
free diver with green sea turtle at makaha caverns
free diver with green sea turtle at makaha caverns
freedivers on the South Seas II inaugural freediving charter
freedivers on the South Seas II inaugural freediving charter
Freediver with monofin
Freediver with monofin
dive boat south seas to on a freediving charter
dive boat south seas to on a freediving charter

Freediving Charters

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Freediving Charters

Many of you probably know that freediving is a rapidly growing sport, and freediving on Oahu is no exception.  On August 11th, with the support of members of the Oahu Freedivers Facebook group, we organized our first freediving charter through sister company Oahu Dolphin Divers which operates the South Seas II on the Waianae coast.  The trip was a success, and everyone local said they would be back.  We will be able to improve the event with more down lines for line diving, and better surface rigs.  Assuming continued support from the freediving community, these charters will become regular events, monthly for now and more if demand increases.  The next event is Saturday Sept 15th at 1pm departing from Waianae Small boat harbor.  The price is only $40 and participants bring their own personal freediving equipment.  Here is the link if you would like to book the next charter https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/oahuscubadiving/items/102198/calendar/?flow=5615

Future Plans

One request that we received was charters at more modest depths.  As we continue to train new freedivers, this is likely to be in the works.  In the mean time, we have an introduction to freediving event scheduled for Sept 23rd, 2018.  Book that here.

Freedive Training

Currently, we have the option to enroll in a PADI FreeDiver course.  This course takes place on Friday evenings with an academic and pool session, and is followed by an open water session the next day under the supervision of a PADI Freediving Instructor.  This is the best way to get into the sport and learn about the modest equipment requirements for this sport.  Call 808 397 5370 to learn more and enroll in this course.

Trip Report August 11th 2018

The images below are from the inaugural freediving charter.  We first went to the Mahi wreck, were the surface current was a bit of a challenge.  However, about halfway through being there a manta ray came by on the surface.  There was also an eagle ray cruising the wreck, which was visible after you had dove done about 20ft.  We have orginally planned to stay at the wreck for all 3 hours of diving, but after a couple of hours we decided that it would be fun to explore the swim throughs at Makaha Caverns.  Lot of turtles, a white tip, and plenty of freediving under and through the shallow arches and caverns.

David Sanchez

Mind Blowing Tuesday… 4 10 2018

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Well fellow divers as I write this blog entry my mind is still a bit numb from the event of yesterday. So bear with me…

The day began as a blustery Tuesday morning broke while we exited Maunalua Bay. On board the Sea Fox were an excited team of divers consisting of Adam, David, Duane, Joe, Kate, Robert, Taylor, Stacey, Bailley,  and Tom. We decided to drop on our first dive site: LCU.

Landing Craft Utility sits at 90 ft and can host a variety of sea life. It can also make you work hard to see it due to some moderate currents… today she made us work! As we descended down the swim line it was apparent that we were in for some kicking. We dropped down and entered the wreck…

A single 6 ft white tip was lounging inside the wreck… it circled the group a few times and then decided to exit stage left!

After a few laps around the wreck site all our divers ascended safely back to the Fox.

On to the main event!

The Wall. One of my favorite sites due to my recent run ins with Mantas and Monk Seals… its been my year so far! We dropped down to 50ft and proceeded westward as we observed the various fish going through their daily grind.  Now due to my recent Manta action I have a habit of looking out away from the wall, into the open ocean, because that’s where my luck has been. So as I turn to look out I see an object cruising bye about 60 feet away from us…

ME CHASING THE BEAUTY!

 

 

A 30-40ft WHALE SHARK! WHAT THE? I GO NUTS! I start pointing and I put it in gear! My group sees me going in the opposite direction and see the Whale shark and we all give chase! AMAZING! After a few seconds the Whale Shark kicked it into gear and swam off into the blue… I LOST MY MIND! All my divers were happy and fist pumping after this crazy encounter… the rest of the dive was a blur…

Well back to the boat and all the chatter… what a fantastic day to be a diver. Thank you to all our divers for being safe and joining us today… Till we dive again… ALOHA!

Dave INSTRUCTOR

Calli INSTRUCTOR

Kelsey CAPTAIN

LCU 90ft

Spitting Caves 50FT

Water 73*

David Sanchez

Manta Monday ! WOOHOO! 1-29-2018

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A beautiful Monday broke out on Island this morning with a light breeze, sunshine, and a band of fun loving scuba divers consisting of Aaron, Brian, Hannah, Jaya, Jonathan, Stephanie, and Andy. The Sea Fox pulled away from the dock right on schedule and after a brief vote it was decided to try Corsair. As fate would have it the current was RIPPING as it sometimes is, but the luck of Poseidon looked up at us and we redirected to do a double drift: Sea Cave and Spitting Caves!

After a short dive briefing we did a negative entry down to the opening of Sea Cave, and as we entered we were met by two White Tip Reef Sharks:

After a short trip through the cave we exited and caught the current west. Lots of reef fish, and a few White Mouth Eels

Then as we rounded a coral formation the highlight of our day:

A beautiful specimen of a MANTA RAY flying right in front of us: talk about EXCITEMENT!

Well that was CRAZY!

Back to the boat and lots of talk of the awesome sight! After a short surface interval it was on to Spitting Caves:

Again dropping down to the wall sight the current picked up and we were on a fast ride! But we did find time to stop at a few of the sites of interest:

Inside a small cave swam another White Tip Reef Shark

and of course more HONU!

What a fantastic day out in Maunalua Bay! Magical seeing the Manta Ray! Thank you to all our divers for being such safe and friendly divers! Till we dive again! ALOHA

Dave INSTRUCTOR

Joe CAPTAIN

Sea Cave 60 Ft

Spitting Caves 50 Ft

H20 73*

 

David Sanchez

Year End Scuba Adventures

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As the year 2017 begins to wrap up, I look back at all the great people I met through the year, all the fantastic adventures I’ve had, and on to 2018 which I know will be even better! Today was no exception… I had a fantastic group of divers made up of Corrinna, Jennie, John, Pat, Scott, Katelyn, Brian, and Taylor. We found that as we reached LCU there was a very strong current. so we decided to drift the barges, which is one of my favorite things to do. We do a negative entry as we drop down on the LCU, then head in the direction of the current as we pass over other wreck sites. It requires some skill and experience in diving, so not for the beginner.  The dive was awesome with good visibility  as we entered the LCU, drifted along over Z Blocks, and finished the dive over New Barge.

The waters were so calm we decided to try Sea Cave which is a site between China Walls and Hanama Bay. A great cave entry site and then drift along a wall.

Entrance to Sea Cave with a White Tip exiting

White Tips resting in the rocks of Sea Cave

Sea Cave Hawaiian Green Turtle

Wall Yellow Margin Eel

Another Fantastic Day out on the wall. Thank you to all our divers for a safe and fun day out in the bay. Till we dive again…ALOHA!

 

David Sanchez

Awesome Thursday Diving

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Always great to have a smaller group for a morning advanced dive on the Sea Fox. Today we were happy to have Katie, Victor, Ryan, Bailey, and Jackie join us on a Thursday morning that turned out to be beautiful both above and below the water. Water temps have begun to drop, but the cooler waters bring our most famous visitors to Maunalua Bay: Humpback Whales!

We departed the dock and made our way to our first deep wreck site of the day: LCU which is a Landing Craft purposely sunk in the 80s that sits at 90 ft.

One of the favorites are the White Tip Reef Sharks that love to sleep under and around the ship. Beautiful and graceful swimmers that rest under the ship and among the blocks.

Awesome Spotted Eagle Rays in formation

After a short surface interval and a chance to grab a snack, we dropped down to do a drift of Fantasy Reef…

One of the favorites at Fantasy Reef… Hawaiian Green Turtles!

White tips resting in the lava formations…

and the Great Barracuda hunting for his lunch…

A great Thursday of diving for all, and a big Thank You to all our divers for a fun and safe day out in the bay! Till we dive again… ALOHA!

David Sanchez

Hump Day Hullabaloo!

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A windy Wednesday met our 3 divers Andrew, Joel, and David as the Sea Fox left the dock headed to our first destination: LCU. The sunken transport WW2 era ship that seems to be a hotbed of activity here in Maunaloa Bay. Its one of my favorite site due to the amount of life found here. Today was no different…

Ah our White Tips… under the wreck, outside the wreck, and a juvenile under the Z Blocks…

A single Eagle Ray circled the ship several times, enjoying the small current…

A school of Pacific Barracuda stood watch over the wreck..

And finally a small group of Great Barracuda have been gaining numbers and hunting in the area…

An epic first dive today! Next stop: Fantasy Reef!

And today was Turtle DAY!

Turtles everywhere and very active..

And Eels: Yellow Margin, White Mouth, and Snowflakes… awesome dive!

A great way to spend the middle of the week… thank you to all our divers for  a safe and fun day out in the Bay! Till we dive again: ALOHA!

DAVE OWSI

MATT Captain

NATALIE Crew

LCU 90″

Fantasy Reef 50″

Temp 76*

David Sanchez

Divers under glass!

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We love diving in Maunalua Bay on any day because of all the life and wrecks that are hidden under her waters. But there are days that can only be classified as EPIC and today was one of those days. 2 lucky divers joined me today aboard the Sea Fox: Monica and Rob. They chose to dive the wreck LCU as our first dive site, and she did not disappoint us. We were met by an ocean that looked like glass on the surface and perfect conditions at the site: 100 ft plus visibility and no current. We dropped down the lines and into the upside down wreck…

We were met by a 5ft white tip and during the dive we saw 3 more outside the wreck and under the Z blocks. They were very active today!

next up…

Two Spotted Eagles soaring above us…

a large school of Pacific Barracuda cruising along side…

and two Octopus hiding under the blocks…

So much to see it was sensory overload! a great dive!

Refuel and hydrate during a short surface interval and  it was on to our next site: a drift dive of Spitting Caves.

Eels of all kinds such as this White Mouth Moray…

And turtles drifting bye on their way to lunch!

It was a perfect day all around, with great divers, beautiful creatures, and awesome  me conditions! Thank you so much to all our divers for a safe and fun day out on the Sea Fox. Till we dive again… ALOHA!

DAVE Instructor

JOE Captain

BECKA Crew

LCU 90 ft

SPITTING CAVES 40 ft

Water 78*