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At Island Divers we hear a lot of unfounded concerns when it comes to scuba diving. From questions to fears to odd pronouncements, we’ve heard so much misinformation on what it takes to become a certified diver, let alone just get in the water, that we really feel we need to bust some of these misconceptions right here and now.

Here are six myths about scuba diving that we want you to forget:

Expensive Equipment

Many think you need to put down a lot of dough to pay for scuba equipment in order to learn. Yes, you need gear, but not all at once. If you’re just starting out, all you really need is a mask, snorkel, and a pair of fins, which you may want to buy, as they should fit you perfectly. You can rent the rest. At Island Divers, we include the rental in our dive package, which makes it really easy and affordable. Once you are committed, you can start buying one piece at a time.

Ace Swimming

You absolutely do not have to be a competitive swimmer to dive. Obviously it’s a good idea to be fit, but all you really need are basic swimming skills and a comfort with putting your head underwater. A prerequisite for certification is passing a simple swimming test in which you must swim 200 yards non-stop. When you can do this, you’re ready to start your dive training.

Costly Certification

Actually, contrary to popular belief, an average certification class is not that expensive! Just think about what you probably spend on a weekend of dinners, movies, and drinks. Getting your diving certification is an amazing investment that lasts a lifetime, lets you swim all over the world, and has you meeting amazing people along the way.

Scuba Diving vs. Snorkeling

These are two completely different activities. Snorkeling is great, but diving is a whole other ballgame! There’s nothing like swimming with marine life and observing the ocean floor as you adventure through the ocean’s depths. Stay on the surface (snorkeling) or go deeper…it’s your choice!

Getting Lost

This is a very legitimate fear that many beginners have. Worrying that the dive boat will leave without you is indeed a scary thought – but it’s just that, a thought. An Island Diver Instructor will always do a head count before and after a dive and we never leave the site without everyone aboard. If you are a beginner you will always dive with a guide, and later with a buddy who will always look out for you, so you can put that fear to bed.

Shark Attacks

Sharks really get some bad press. In reality, sharks are not that interested in you unless you get aggressive yourself. Usually they don’t linger when divers are around, and if they do, most divers consider it an honor. This is the same for barracuda, eels, and other potentially scary creatures. If you just observe, they have no reason to attack you and you will gain a better understanding as you witness them in their habitat.

Contact Us

For more information on all aspects of scuba diving, contact us at:www.oahuscubadiving.com

It turned out to be an awesome night to go diving in Maunalua Bay! With Mary, Mike, and Tom geared up and ready, we jumped in at Kahala Barge around dusk, just a little after 7pm. Bumpy on the surface, we were delighted to find a very light current and great visibility at the wreck. The night-time critters were beginning to stir and a small White Tip Reef Shark greeted us at the stern. It was getting quite dark by the time we returned to the Sea Fox and headed in to calmer waters. It was a little surgy at Anglers Reef, but what a great dive! Well after dark now, we found crustaceans galore, including a Sponge Crab, Coral Crabs, and Sand Crabs, as well as Helmet Snails out roaming, a few Eels, Parrot Fish, and a bright red Frogfish. Too many goodies to list really, this is why I love night dives! Let’s do it again..soon. Mahalo for joining us for another spectacular trip aboard the Sea Fox.

Weather: Breezy, Bumpy, Pleasant
Dive Conditions: Kahala Barge – Slight Koko Head Current, Temp. 78 f, Vis. 100′, Max Depth 90 ft.
Anglers Reef – Surgy, Temp. 78 f, Vis. 80 ft, Max Depth 45 ft., Awesome!
Staff: Kendal (Captain), Steve (Crew), Matt (Insructor)

For our Independence Day afternoon dives, we had a small group of 6 adventurers, including 2 who stayed on after the morning charter. We stopped at LCU first, finding a school of Bluestripe Snapper in and around the wreck. We didn’t find the elusive Frogfish that hangs out here, but there were a couple Nudibranchs on the top (actually the bottom) of this upside down military landing craft.

After a bouncy exit, we headed in to calmer waters. The Stars and Stripes framed our negative entry to drift Anglers Reef. Light current and nice visibility allowed us to search the edge of the reef for critters hiding out. There were several large Moray Eels, a couple small ones, a dark red Frogfish (thanks for finding this Max), a few helmet snails, and lots of juvenile Trumpetfish. Mahalo to all for celebrating at Island Divers Hawaii.

Dive Sites/Conditions: LCU, Moderate Surface Current, Depth 90 ft., Temp. 77 f., Vis. 100′
Anglers Reef, Mild Current, Depth 45′, Temp. 77 f., Vis, 80′
Weather: Partly Cloudy, Temp. 84 f., Light Wind, Seas 4′
Staff: Captain Joe, Crew Rachel, Instructor Matt

 

The weather was beautiful ( maybe even a bit warm ) as we left Kewalo Basin with a full Sea Hound. The Sea Tiger, our first dive site of the day, had very little current and great vis. There were a couple Honu and a few Pacific Trumpet Fish hanging around, along with a large school of Blue Stripe Snappers. What a great start to the day!
Depth: 100′, Temp: 77 f, Vis: 100′ +

After a long surface interval with cookies, chips, and pineapple, our second stop was YO-257. We tried for 100 ft hole, but the current was cruising a bit too strong. With a bit less current and really good vis, the YO did not disappoint! More Honu ( Green Sea Turtles ), Pennant Butterflyfish, and the Atlantis Sub all joined in the fun.
Depth: 92 ‘, Temp: 76 f, Vis: 100’

To end the day, we chose Neptunes Throne, a bit shallower, but still with good vis and lots of great marine life. We visited the “Throne” room, then went on to explore the many coral heads and finger reefs in the area. There were Penant Butterflyfish, Yellow Tangs ( juvenile and adult ), and several eels. Brittany spotted a Tiger Snake Moray Eel ( mean looking, but really shy ) and there was a very large school of some yummy looking fish overhead. Reluctantly, we returned to the surface to end another great day of sub-surface adventures. Mahalo for letting IDH support your diving habit..it was a blast diving with you all today, and come back soon!
Depth:50′, Temp: 77 f, Vis: 70′

Boat: Sea Hound
Captain: John, Instructors: Matt and Aughe
Seas: 2-3′ SSW, Temp: 86 F, Winds: 5-10, Mostly Sunny

 

 

We had a real mellow day today with David and Nori on the boat. There was a bit of wind and surface chop but nice conditions underwater. We headed off for the Corsair and had little current as we got down the line. There were fish all around the plane with butterfly fish and wrasses all about.  There were also all the garden eels all about the wreck and under the engine was a large yellow margin morey. We soon had to head up and motor to the next dive.

For the second dive we decided on Keanu Reef and had great viz with a mild current on the bottom. Swimming around the reef we found a lot of eels hiding out under the rocks and ledges including a few yellow margin and undulated moreys. There were reef fish everywhere with soldierfish and damselfish hiding in the large antler coral heads and butterfly fish swimming about. All in all it was a nice morning.