Matt Zimmerman

How the SSI Master Diver program works

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How to achieve the Master Diver rating with SSISSI Master Diver challenge details

As Island Divers Hawaii shifts its training focus from PADI courses to SSI, one common questions is how does this affect my progress towards the Master Diver rating.  SSI calls this rating Master Diver and PADI calls it Master Scuba Diver.  They are very similar ratings.  However, the SSI rating has some pretty large advantages..

To achieve the Master Diver rating with SSI you need to

  • Log 50 dives
    • These dives need to be logged in the MySSI app.  Since not all divers are habitual dive loggers, this is the minor disadvantage mentioned earlier.  If you have been logging elsewhere, there is a shortcut that a dive center can help you with.  As an SSI dive center, we can access your SSI diver profile and manually change the number of logged dives in the system for you.  We’d are happy to do this for our divers that have logged dives elsewhere.
  • Complete the Stress and Rescue specialty
    • SSI treats the Rescue course as a specialty course.  There is no need to achieve the Advanced Open Water rating prior to starting the course.
    • A prerequisite for stress and rescue is React Right or an equivalent CPR First Aid certification
  • Complete 4 more Specialty courses
    • There is an extensive list of specialty courses available.  Interestingly with the SSI program, none of them have to be specialty courses that include diving.  Meaning that a diver that is interested in pursuing the Master Diver certification with SSI can complete many of the course requirements from the comfort of their home.  This includes Nitrox
    • We recommend that one of these specialty certifications be the online nitrox course.  Nitrox certification allows you to dive nitrox.  While all the specialty certifications are going to expand your knowledge base, there are only a few that are required for a certain type of diving.  Diving with nitrox is one of those that will require certification.
    • Currently, almost all our specialty courses are $125 without dives.  So, for ecology programs and the like that do not require diving, that is the final cost.  Most other specialties can be completed with one set of boat dives.  Again, if you are reading this from somewhere with no local diving, you can complete your online learning in advance and just schedule your dives when you are able to come to Hawaii.

Once these are completed, SSI will automatically recognize you with the Master Diver rating.  Meaning, once your instructor certifies your last specialty in the SSI system and you have 50 dives you will be automatically awarded the Master Diver Rating.  There is no $50+ application fee.  The fee that PADI charges for this is one of the reasons we believe the SSI system is better.

It is worth noting that along the way to Master Diver in the SSI system, you will also get the Level II Specialty Diver* rating and teh Level III Advanced Open Water Diver** rating for free.  Achieving each of these ratings is automatic upon getting the specialities and logging the dives and you also get entered to win dive trip prizes.

*12 dives logged and 2 Specialties  ** 24 dives logged and 4 Specialties

What do you get with the SSI Master Diver rating?

Entry into a yearly drawing for a liveaboard dive trip for 2 people.  Each year SSI takes all the people that achieved the SSI Master Diver rating and puts them into a drawing.  In early 2020 the winner for the 2019 Master Diver Challenge was announced.  Nate Kilgore is the lucky winner in the picture on the right.  He won a liveaboard trip for two on the Belize Aggressor.  In 2020 the winner will got a liveaboard trip for 2 on a liveaboard trip to Honduras.  Here are the 2021 prizes.

Master Diver rating is Level 4 diver in the SSI recognition path, Level 5 diver is the next recognition level with 100 dives.  The SSI Master Diver level is primarily a personal achievement.  It is also the goal of our dive centers to encourage people to shoot for this goal.  We have been doing this a long time.  Many people come out of their certification course and just stall, not sure what to do next.  We like Master Diver as a goal because it includes training that is going to help you be a better diver and be able to better assist dive buddies (Stress and Rescue).  Also, if you make the 50 dives logged goal you really gone from being certified to being a true diver.  For many of us that work here, this has been our primary hobby and source of friends and adventures for years.  It is a worthwhile goal.

If I’m currently holding PADI certifications, how can I switch?

SSI is pretty generous in this regard.  Your initial certification can be with ANY training agency.  SSI lets you count any two specialty courses with any other training agency towards the Master Diver rating.  Stress and Rescue and 2 other SSI Specialty courses must be part of your profile.

If you have specialty courses from another training agency SSI allows us to verify those certifications in the SSI app.  Let us know if you need this.  We will need photocopies of the card.  Big bonus for doing this is that your card will go into your SSI diver profile and be available for free for life!  Just like all of your SSI cards.

Remember, that as the dive center we call manually adjust your number of dives if you are not yet using the dive log on the MySSI App.

 

Matt Zimmerman

Komodo Liveaboard – 7 days – plus one week in Bali land based

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Trip Report

Happy to report, Bali and Komodo exceeded our expectations! 

This was our first (certainly not the last) trip to Indonesia.  There is room on the Feb Raja Ampat trip. We have been hearing wonderful things about the culture, food and diving for years and the rumors are all true!

Our trip started in the small seaside town of Amed, Bali.  One single lane lined with small hotels and tiny guest houses, restaurants, bars, massage spas and more dive shops that you can imagine.  We arrived a few days before our divers so we could get the lay of the land and have the road paved and easy with a local dive shop all set up, figure out the best place to have a ($10 per hour!!) massage and a delicious ($5 or under) lunch.  It’s hard work, but someone has to do it.  

The 5 room private villa is beautiful, overlooking the ocean.  King size canopy beds, ice cold air con, ornately detailed natural outdoor showers, lush tropical outdoor lounge area with an inviting infinity pool.  There are several very good restaurants and spas in the immediate area, walking is no problem, or you can give a little notice and the villa’s private driver will be happy to drive you to any place in the Amed area, it’s included with the villa.  Breakfast was a treat.  Fresh papaya, dragon fruit, watermelon…  You could get bacon and eggs, or the local fried noodle or fried rice or banana pancake.  Just choose the evening before and your choice appears in the fresh air dining area in the morning.

The local dive shop collects the divers/snorkelers after breakfast.  Once you show the dive guides how you like your gear set up, you don’t have to worry about it again!  They set it up, carry it to the transport, take it to the beach/boat, take it back after the dives, wash it and store it until the next day.  Super service, and so easy for us! They threw us a party at end of week.  Video of dive shop “safety dance”.

Diving in Amed was varied, and I don’t mean good/bad.  It was so different!  We dove the famous Liberty wreck, which lived up to the reputation.  There was everything from barracuda and big sweetlips to nudibranch, peacock mantis shrimp and ornate ghost pipefish!  What’s not to like?  Muck diving sounds gross, but it is really just diving without a big reef structure.  We did quite a few muck dives in Amed.  There isn’t any muck!  lol  There was sand, some small sea grass/sponges/rocks/corals and a ton of weird life!  From seahorses (pigmy and standard), nudibranch of many colors and sizes, pipefish, hairy shrimp, squat lobsters, ghost pipefish, orangutan crabs, teeny tiny frogfish…  So many things!  Each dive is like an Easter egg hunt.  Stupendous week in Amed!  So glad we are going back.

Mermaid II liveaboard was recommended to us by one of our well traveled dive friends.  (Thanks V!)  The experience was even better than we anticipated.  The dive crew was a well oiled machine.  Our gear was always ready, tanks full.  They even put our fins on for us in the rib boat before dives.  Top notch service!  The guides really have an eye for the critters. Famous dive sites like Manta Alley(so many mantas, close up and personal!), Shotgun, where the current rips along and literally shoots you out of the narrows are not to be missed.  We had the best night dives, with the most diversity.  Stargazers, giant eels, bobtail squid, pigmy squid, halimeda pipefish, mini frogfish, so many shrimp, spanish dancers and too many weird and wonderful things to mention!  Best night dives we have ever done!

Food above water was out of this world.  Every meal was delicious onboard and Desi made sure we were well taken care of.  She even found out who likes it spicy and brought up the heat with some delicious house made sauces.  

Halloween night, we had a night dive followed by a little party, complete with spooky decorations and costumes.  We even brought some extra dress up things and candy for the crew!  There was music and a bit of dancing.  Fun night!

Mermaid II made life great by offering massages onboard for 25 Euro per hour.  Dezi was a very popular lady with our group of divers!  Laundry service was also available onboard, which is wonderful.

Sadly, our time aboard the Mermaid II came to an end and we spent the night in Sanur.  Arrangements had been made at a nice restaurant very close to our hotel for a farewell dinner party.  Dinner and drinks were delicious!  Complements of Matt.  

Back to Amed for another week at the private villa, just as wonderful the second time around with new dive friends!

Here are a few pics!

pool party at the villa
Komodo national park dragon country
threadfin anthias
Ribbon Sweetlips
there were nudibranch all over the place
plenty of mantas at the aptly named manta alley
Night dives had lots of cool critters
game fish on almost every dive
giant clams were pretty common but not everywhere
seeing a ribbon eel a treat

One week liveaboard to Komodo National Park plus a week in a Bali Villa

Island Divers Hawaii Dive Travel, private boat, Oct 10th to 17th 2020 on the MV Mermaid II

This trip is centered around the 20 passenger liveaboard that departs from Bali on Oct 10th and returns on the 17th.  This one week 20 dive itinerary starts in Bali and dives the Indonesian island chain eastward to Komodo National Park, where we will both dive and visit the dragons on land.   See full itinerary below.  We have also booked the Villa Candi Matahari for the week before and the week after.  This beautiful 5 room private resort only accommodates 10 guests, so you will have to pick the week before or the week after for your land-based resort adventure.

So, trip dates are either:      Oct 4th to Oct 18th      or      Oct 10th to Oct 25th.

 

Oct 4th to Oct 18th, 2020

Arrive Sunday Oct 4th for transportation 2.5 hours north to Villa Candi Matahari.  The resort provides transportation from the airport to the resort as part of the service.  As most of you know however Island Divers clients may arrive from just about anywhere in the world.  Matt and Sheila will have your arrival information and organize alternative transportation if you arrive separately from the main part of the group.  It is also possible to arrive a day early and stay in the resort area near the airport.  We are working with Akaya Bali Sanur with is $90 per night for the room ($45 pp dbl occ).  One way cars from the airport can be arranged for $30 (probably only 2 people with the amount of luggage we are likely to have).  It is possible to organize this yourself at the lower end of the cost scale.

On Oct 10th the resort will transport us as a group to the vessel where we will board between 1pm and 3pm.   The 10th to the 17th is the liveaboard diving adventure.

On Oct 17th we will leave the boat in the morning and transfer as a group to the Akaya Bali Hotel near Sanur beach for an overnight stay before departure on Oct 18th.  Of course, if you wish you can schedule your flight out on the 17th, but we are hoping to have a night on the town together as a group that you might not want to miss.

Oct 10th to Oct 25th, 2020

Komodo Indonesia

This half of the group will be going straight to the liveaboard upon arrival.  However, boarding is from 1pm to 3pm on the 1oth, so you may need and or want to arrive on the 9th and transfer to the Akaya Bali Hotel.  I gather that there is some flexibility in boarding time, but the scheduled boat departure time is 4pm, so if you flight gets much after that better plan an overnight.  If you need/want an extra night $90 ($45 per person) for a room and a $30 private car transfer puts you on any schedule you like.  We can organize this for you.

From Oct 10th to 17th we are going to have a great time on the Komodo National Park Mermaid itinerary.  See that below.

On the 17th we depart the boat and transfer to the Akaya Bali Hotel.  A night on the town near Sanur beach anyone?

On the 18th of October, Sunday, the Villa Candi Matahari transportation will collect us for the 2.5 hour trip up to the resort.

Will need to depart on the morning of the 25th so that they can get ready to welcome their next group of guests.  Feel free to ask us to arrange a few more days in the resort area at Akaya Bali Hotel.

The Liveaboard

Download the PDF of the itinerary here.

We start and end in Bali, with some incredible stuff in between.  Besides a land tour seeing the dragons, some highlights that I’m looking forward to:  manta alley, wild animals along the beach at Cannibal Rock, possible mola mola, Sangeang Volcano, Moryo Island, ghost pipe fish, ribbon eels.

Of course, as with anything on the water, the itinerary is subject to change.   What is likely true of this operator just like any other: they are going to give us the best the got weather and safety permitting.  That’s what we do.  Mermaid Liveaboards also have a great reputation in the industry, and some of our local divers that I trust have used them and loved them.  There is no reason to expect anything but excellence.

On board everything is included except nitrox at $7 a tank or $100 for the week, beers are about $3.50, and t shirts $18 and polos $25.  Everything is more or less as they bill in Euros and that means to us it can change.

One question I always get is about tipping.  For a liveaboard you could go as high as $300 or 10%, but I’d say that is quite a bit for a 20 dive trip, $200 is more like $10 a dive and that is still pretty high.  I think the guide to diver ratio is 1:4 though.  Got to remember though there tips are going around the whole boat.  If you pin me down I’d say $200, then adjust based on exceeding expectations.

You can do further research on the Mermaid liveaboards here.

Villa Candi Matahari

The group is going to split into 2 for visiting this small private resort.  It is basically a beautiful high end private property 2.5 hours up the coast from the airport.  One group is going to go before the liveaboard, and one group is going to go after.  Matt and Sheila are going to spend the first week in the Villa, the week after the liveaboard we are going to travel up to the Villa with the group and hang out for a couple of days off property, just to make sure everyone is settled and has a handle on the diving.

This is going to be a little different than our usually trip, as the resort is not actually a dive resort.  Here’s what’s included:

* accommodation for 10 people in 5 king bed suites
*Fully staffed with cooks, concierge service, cleaning staff, and driver
*Daily Breakfast for all guests
*Round trip ground transport from/to DPS airport in Bali
*one hour massage, one each
*Free shuttle service in the Amed area
*1 Special Island Feast Dinner (usually the last evening of each package) with traditional *Balinese food and Dancing performed poolside.

Diving

We are going to be diving, but how much is going to be up to each person.  For that reason I’m not including the diving is this package.  You can buy a 10 dive package for about $260 USD.  It is pretty cheap.  For sure we are going to want to do the wreck of the US Liberty, but there is plenty of other good stuff to do as well.  The morning after we arrive the first thing we will all do is get go down to the dive shop and do a two tank dive.  From there, hopefully we’ll be leaving our gear at the shop and then each person will be in charge of their own fun.  The diving is about $25 per dive, so dive as little or as much as you want!
Some other activities that we might arrange while we are there:
Trip to the Monkey Forest of Ubud, a couple hour drive
Hiking with local guides right out the the resort
Rent Scooters and go for a self guided local tour
Visit Tirta Gangga the Water Palace
Sport Fishing charter
Day drinking at the infinity pool on property
45 min fast boat ferry to the Gili Islands, 80s backpacker hotspot, still no cars on the island
Live music and nightlift in Amed and Lipah
As you can see here the really problem is only having one week to dive and get some of this stuff in.  We’ll be busy!

For food, we are on our own after breakfast, but the staff is willing to cook for us if we want to have lunch and dinner at the house.  We’ll probably do this at least a couple of times, but there are some recommended restaurants in the area.  I’m sure the ones catering to tourists are more expensive but more expensive is pretty relative if Bali.

Rooms

There are only 5 rooms in the resort.  There is one Panoramic Ocean View Penthouse.  First come first serve on that in order of deposit received.  That one will only be a $60 upgrade per person for the week.  The other 4 rooms are Deluxe Ocean View (2) and Ocean View Villas (2).  I’ll ask you your preference in order of deposit received, but there is really no bad rooms in this place, it is all ultra deluxe.  Those of you that have been traveling with us for a while know that we usually go for above average, but not the highest end.  Well, we have made an exception in Bali, because well, everything is cheaper there and it fits in that price range we (and our guests) are comfortable with.

 

Random Details

Don’t change money at the airport, apparently better deals are had elsewhere, Villa Candi Matahari staff will steer us in the right direction.

Electric at the resort is 230V/50Hz, some adaptors available, but if you want to bring they look like this

The single occupancy rate on this trip is just twice a double occupancy rate.  Triple occupancy not available.  Non-divers pay the normal rate.

At the time this trip was put together I found a plan fare from IAH (Houston) to DPS (Bali) for $695, and one from HNL to DPS for $764.  $687 out of JFK.  These are round trip prices!

Sea temp average is 81F or 27C.

Mola mola are in season up the mid October, that’s why we pushed the fall trip earlier, maybe we will get lucky.  I hope so. 

While beer in Bali is cheap, spirits are even more than US prices.  You are allowed 1L to bring in the country.  You should do it.  If you don’t drink spirits talk to Sheila, she’d probably ask you to bring another bottle of vodka.

Pricing

$4382.50 per person.  Standard 2 person stateroom on Mermaid II and king bed accommodation at Villa Candi Matahari

$3832.50 per person. 2 person  accommodation with 4 people shared bath on Mermaid II and king bed accommodation at Villa Candi Matahari

$60 per person upgrade to Panoramic Ocean View Presidential Suite at Villa Candi Matahari (1 available per week)

Inclusions

  • Oct 10th to 17th Bali to Komodo liveaboard on MV Mermaid II (dbl occ)
    • full board
  • $192.50 USD Komodo National Park Fee
  • RT Transfers from airport to liveaboard on sailing dates
  • Oct 17th/18th at Akaya Bali Sanur with breakfast (full group)
  • Oct 4th to 10th OR Oct 18th to 25th accommodation at Villa Candi Matahari (dbl occ)
    •  accommodation for 10 people in 5 king bed suites
    • Fully staffed with cooks, concierge service, cleaning staff, and driver
    • Daily Breakfast for all guests
    • Round trip ground transportation from/to DPS airport in Bali
    • one hour massage, one each
    • Free shuttle service in the Amed area
    • 1 Special Island Feast Dinner (usually the last evening of each package) with traditional *Balinese food and Dancing performed poolside.
  • RT Transfers to Villa Candi Matahari

Exclusions

  • Airfare
  • Nitrox on MV Mermaid 96 Euro
  • Beer on MV Mermaid 3 Euro
  • Scuba Gear Rental
  • All meals not mentioned
  • Diving and Tours at Villa Candi Matahari
  • Early Arrival and Late Departure Hotel ($90 USD) and Car Service ($30USD)
  • Required Dan Insurance or equivalent
  • Trip Cancellation Insurance

An unlikely but potentially problematic detail

The mermaid liveaboard books in Euros.  The pricing is $3000 Euros.  USD have been trading around 1.1, so that came to $33oo.  I added the park fee at 175 Euros or $192.50 and it came to $3492.50.  Another $890 for the week at Villa Candi Matahari (and the extra day hotel) and that’s how I came up with $4382.50.  If the exchange rate goes past 1.2 Euros per USD then the increased cost will have to get passed on.  Unlikely, but possible.

Payments

Checks to Dive Travel Services at PO Box 30108 Honolulu HI 96820.  $500 holds a spot and possibly more important allows you to pick before or after the liveaboard for the week at Villa Candi Matahari.  There is also the ability to grab the penthouse room if you wanted it.  Additionally, there are only 4 spaces for the cheaper liveaboard spot if that is something you wanted.

Payment Schedule

$500 deposit – holds a space

$1000 payment ($1500 total) by April 1st, 2020

Balance Due July 1st 2020

Payments are non refundable for any reason.  That being said we will work with any resort or operator or airline to secure a refund if possible.  Don’t count on this though, Dive Travel Services makes commitments based on trip payments, and our payment schedule is based on their non-refundable deadlines, so getting it back is not very likely.  Get travel insurance from DAN!

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!