 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
| HomeArticlesDiving DestinationsLearning Scuba DivingMarine LifeMiscellaneousDiscussion GroupsGeneralScuba EquipmentScuba LocationsAustralian ScubaUK ScubaDirectoryScuba Clubs |
Scuba Forum / Scuba Locations / September 2005Hawaii - island trade-off
Might be able to choose between the two locations for getting in a quick dive or two later this year...my first diving opportunity in Hawaii. Given the choice, which one would you pick and why: Oahu - Honolulu area -or- Kauai - Lihue area TIA, -hh >Given the choice, which one would you pick and why: > >Oahu - Honolulu area >-or- >Kauai - Lihue area With the caveat that I haven't been there in 20 years, I'd take Kauai/Lihue. Below the water there's not much difference - mostly wet and quiet. <grin> Above water Kauai is a tropical paradise. Watch an episode of "Lost" on ABC or get the old Mitzi Gaynor movie where she washed that man right outa her hair. Recommend a rental car and a tour around the east side through Hanalai to road's end. Then hike for 2 miles to an unbelievable beach. Last time I visited there was a naked broad sunning herself on a rock. Of course, she's probably gone by now (and somebody's great-grandma), but it was memorable at the time. -HW "Skip" Weldon Columbia, SC > Above water Kauai is a tropical paradise. Watch an episode of "Lost" > on ABC or get the old Mitzi Gaynor movie where she washed that man [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > sunning herself on a rock. Of course, she's probably gone by now (and > somebody's great-grandma), but it was memorable at the time. Dude, "Lost" is actually filmed on Oahu. Many of the scenes are shot just a mile down Kam Hwy from where I live. It's actually kind of a pain in the @ss for me: all the additional traffic, trailers, lights, etc. In fact, they were filming all last week right through Labor Day, night and day. They finally struck the set on Tuesday. suds > > Above water Kauai is a tropical paradise. Watch an episode of "Lost" > > on ABC or get the old Mitzi Gaynor movie where she washed that man [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > they were filming all last week right through Labor Day, night and day. > They finally struck the set on Tuesday. That's odd. They were filming all last week the old Mitzi Gaynor movie? Oahu SUCKS in at least one respect. It's the ONLY State in the USA in which you can get a SPEEDING ticket that cost over $100 for driving 50 mph in one of its three MAJOR "Interstate" Highways, H1. I thought I was stopped by the Evil Knivel Cop for going too SLOW! Oahu also has the worst police department for handling THEFT (specifically, theft of luggage and goods from tourists' rented automobiles). That doesn't stop me from going back there next month though. ;-) The diving basically SUCKS too! Aloha and Mahalo. > Oahu SUCKS in at least one respect. It's the ONLY State in the > USA in which you can get a... You really are a very dumb person. Surely you must know that. > > Oahu SUCKS in at least one respect. It's the ONLY State in the > > USA in which you can get a... > > You really are a very dumb person. Surely you must know that. I think you were talking to yourself, and inadventently posted it, didn't you? Do you know someone who is less dumb than me? Don't hold it back if you do. > Might be able to choose between the two locations for getting in a quick > dive or two later this year...my first diving opportunity in Hawaii. > Given the choice, which one would you pick and why: > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Kauai - Lihue area I haven't had the pleasure of diving Oahu yet as it's ranked 4th on my list. I've already dove Maui and the Big Island which would probably be most peoples' #1 and #2 islands for diving in no certain order and where I'd suggest you go if you weren't already set on Kauai or Oahu. This year, however, when I was planning on Maui again but had no luck finding any decent non-stops from LAX, I figured I'd give Kauai a try instead if I were forced into changing planes at Honolulu. I now have four diving days scheduled with Bubbles Below in late October, a mix of morning, afternoon, and night dives. It's not that I don't want to dive Oahu, because I do. I'm one of the rare travelers that actually loves Waikiki. But Oahu is definitely a more populated experience than the other islands, especially Kauai, and I wasn't ready for that sort of vacation. I have no idea how the actual diving stands up, though I understand Oahu is more wreck oriented, possibly because the reefs have suffered far more abuse over the years like the one Hanauma Bay which even has signs posted and volunteers canvassing the beach telling people not to walk on the reef and they still do. But I am sure that, topside, Kauai is infinitely more relaxing than Oahu, and I craved a vacation where I could relax for a change. > I haven't had the pleasure of diving Oahu yet as it's ranked 4th on my > list. I've already dove Maui and the Big Island which would probably be [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > do. But I am sure that, topside, Kauai is infinitely more relaxing than > Oahu, and I craved a vacation where I could relax for a change. If you really want to "relax" go to Moloka'i. Not a damn thing to do there. Except to feel very unwelcome by the locals. But hurry. The Island is changing very rapidly. Hence why you will feel very unwanted. > Might be able to choose between the two locations for getting in a quick > dive or two later this year...my first diving opportunity in Hawaii. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Kauai - Lihue area You've got to give me more information than this. If you will be out here before October, go to Kauai and dive off Ni'ihau. That's the best diving you will find out here. However, it's a long boat ride across some rough water and you've got to be experienced to even be allowed on the boat. Otherwise come here to Oahu. We've got plenty of good diving here. Four dives I'd recommend are the Corsair Wreck, the Mahi Wreck, Makaha Caverns, and YO-257 and San Pedro wrecks. ( http://www.oahuscubadiving.com/index.php?/guide/ ) There is some good shore diving here too, especially if you arrived before the winter swells begin. ( http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/Hawaii/Oahu/index.htm ) Hope that helps. suds Suds wrote: > > Might be able to choose between the two locations for getting in a quick > > dive or two later this year...my first diving opportunity in Hawaii. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > You've got to give me more information than this. You're right. Hawaii Trip#1 may be in November. The trip's not finalized yet, but its tentatively a week on Kauai, with a "1 business day" stop off on Oahu. This results in a weekend to get a dive in, with my choice of island. I'm predisposed to spending it on Kauai, because: Hawaii Trip#2 is in December and is only on Oahu (land portion). We'll have IIRC 3 days to de-jetlag and hit the usual tourist stuff before our cruise to Tahiti that I mentioned a few months ago. But getting a dive in in Oahu isn't a definite thing, so hence the question. BTW, during trip#2, we'll have to try to get together at least for a meal or something...Margaret & I will be staying at the Hale Koa on Waikiki; haven't decided yet on a car or not. Drop me an email and I'll send you the dates that we'll around to see about schedule conflicts. > There is some good shore diving here too, especially if you > arrived before the winter swells begin. A shore dive would be fine by me. What's the generally expected date for these 'winter swells' conditions? -hh > Suds wrote: > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > I'm predisposed to spending it on Kauai November is too late for Ni'ihau. Too bad, it really is the best diving I have ever done out here. But starting in October the Islands experience the northern-west swells that make the North Shore of Oahu so famous for surfing. By swells I'm talking 10' on a slow day. They have been recorded at over 50'. That pretty much closes off all the north and west facing beaches to diving. And you certainly would not want to be out in a small boat in the channel between islands. Those waters are rough going even on a calm summer day. That aside. I have dove off Kaua'i on occasion. The fact that I don't remember much about it says what I have to say. It's not my favorite Island. My advice, take a day hike along the Na Pali Coast. That would be more memorable than any diving you might do. IMHO. Here is an excellent guide book you should consider: http://www.wizardpub.com/kauai/kauai.html > Hawaii Trip#2 is in December and is only on Oahu (land portion). We'll > have IIRC 3 days to de-jetlag and hit the usual tourist stuff before our [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Waikiki; haven't decided yet on a car or not. Drop me an email and I'll > send you the dates that we'll around to see about schedule conflicts. Ex-military, huh. You know that you could lose your clearance talking to a rabid liberal like me. LOL The Hale Koa is very nice. You will enjoy it there. I've spent the day at their pool a couple of times with the kids (guest of friends.) It's right down in the heart of Waikiki. Revisit that link I sent you for "Island Divers." ( http://www.oahuscubadiving.com/ ) I haven't dove with them in over a year but I used to go out with them all the time. They run a standard morning cattle boat for the tourists but what you want is to get onto one of the dive club's charters. The dive club is almost all military folks. They tend to go out in the afternoon when the water is rougher but the rates are lower. They won't feed you or put your gear on for you but they tend to go to much better dive spots than where they take the tourists. For example, if they are going to Rabbit Island, sell your first born child if you must to get on that boat. It will be worth it. Send them an email and see if you can sweet talk your way in. It should save you some dough and provide you with a much better experience. Other than that, send me an email (eeolson-at-hawaii.rr.com) when the time approaches. suds > Hawaii Trip#2 is in December and is only on Oahu (land portion). We'll > have IIRC 3 days to de-jetlag and hit the usual tourist stuff before our > cruise to Tahiti that I mentioned a few months ago. Since it sounds like you'll be flying from the east coast to Hawaii, I wouldn't worry about jet lag, though YMMV. I wouldn't lock anything in for early the first morning, but I'd plan on doing something with a flexible schedule. For our Palau trip we left Newark at about 10 AM and landed at HNL about 3 PM local time. We hit Ala Moana beach for the sunset, had dinner, and got back to the motel around 10ish. We stayed up a bit longer before going to bed sometime well past 4 AM home time. We were up early enough to wander around and have a leisurely breakfast before leaving for the airport again at about 11 to continue on to Yap, arriving at 9:30 PM local time. We hadn't booked dives for the first day, but we felt good in the morning, so we headed out for our first dives at about 11 AM. Basically, we just stayed up late for two days but got a solid 8 or 9 hours sleep before getting up again. The trip home, OTOH, was a killer. Next time we'll definitely plan a Hawaii layover/time adjustment for the trip home instead of the trip out. Or maybe we'll just keep flying west until we get back. The overnight in Hawaii on the way out is still excellent insurance against a winter weather delay in getting out of the northeast.  SignatureSteve The above can be construed as personal opinion in the absence of a reasonable belief that it was intended as a statement of fact. If you want a reply to reach me, remove the SPAMTRAP from the address. Neither really. The best diving by far is on the Big Island, with Maui a second choice. I know this reply is probably of no use to you, but having dived on all the islands, that is my opinion. Brian |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.