Diving Dive Log
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SCUBA divers: Wondering if and why to go for AOW certification?
Hello divers,
I did a standard 8-week course and got my open water cert back in college about 10 years ago. I have since logged several dives including wrecks, deep dives and night dives, and I'm working on 100 hours TBT. (Small beans to many of you I'm sure, but unfortunately I usually only get to dive while on vacation, and had a year or two with no dives, bummer.) My question is should I get my advanced cert?
I have been on dives (like an 80-foot wreck dive) where AOW was "required", but they asked to see my log book, checked the experience summary and said "no problem". So, given that, and for someone who mostly does tropical reef dives while on vacation maybe two weeks per year, is it worth the time/expense going for AOW? No desire/plans to go for instructor or divemaster, so would I be getting it just to say I have it? Thanks for your input.
Take the course. You've lucked out so far. Not only in safety, but in actually finding places that will ignore that you are only OWC. Eventually you'll come across a dive charter that will boot you off the boat. Those are the operators that actually are worth going with if they care to do that. There is a reason there's an advanced course. Besides, you'll have a blast doing it and you'll do a dive to 120, just for bragging rights.
Ohh..before I forget, this is for Nex, who answered that "Considering your hours, I would say that you don't really need it to participate in pretty much any dive that requires Advanced Open-Water". Nex, if you have a DAN membership, go check out the fatality reports and then come back in here and erase that stupid remark. Absolutely irresponsible to say that.
Maui is Great! Vacation rentals Maui bring you the best scuba diving adventures! The scuba diving off of Maui's Southwest coast is one of my very favorite locations. In particular, the famous Molokini marine sanctuary, a partially sunken volcano crater, is a magnet for marine life. Its backside is a vertical wall that drops to 300', and its interior offers nice sloping ridges that run from snorkeling depth down to 130' plus. There are also great dive sites along the coast off Wailea, many of which are deep like the 110' "battleship" site (it's not a wreck.)
How it Works:
Most of the scuba operators launch their dive boats from the Kihei Boat Ramp near Maui condo rentals each morning. The ramp is on the South side of Kihei just North of Wailea. There is a public parking lot there that fills up pretty fast, so get there early. You'll see most dive boats getting setup to launch between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Some operators may want you to come to their dive shop first, while others will just meet you at the ramp. Most operators get back by noon or 1:00 p.m.
Choosing a Dive Operator:
Which operator you choose should depend mainly on your experience level. Some operators like "Mike Severns" and "Ed Robinson's" cater to the very experienced scuba diver. They typically take up to a dozen divers at a time, often diving in two groups (each led by a Divemaster.) First dives are often to 130', and a dive computer is a must to maximize your multi-level bottom time. Pauline Fiene, a marine biologist with over 20 years of experience diving off of Maui, runs "Mike Severns". Her knowledge of the unique species found only in Hawaii is tremendous, and you can expect her to personally show it to you (as Divemaster) about every other day. The rest of her crew is great as well. They really understand customer service, and again, cater to the highly experienced divers. Note that dives along the back wall of Molokini are "drift dives" with a slight current.
Lesser experienced divers might want to choose operators like "Maui Dive Shop" or "Scuba Shack". These folks are more conservative and will make you feel more comfortable if you're a new diver or have been out of the water for a while. First dives often start inside the Molokini crater and follow a 50' to 70' profile.
What Does It Cost?
Scuba diving in Maui is generally expensive compared to other locations in the Caribbean (just like everything else.) Single day, two-tank dives can run from $100 to $125 per person, and three-tank "adventure" dives can go up to $160. Most operators only have small discounts, if any, for multi-day packages. As usual, tipping the crew is as appropriate as your enjoyment level was.
When is the Best Time to Go?
Late January through March is the peak of the "high season" because of the Humpback Whale migration there. It's rare to see a whale while you're underwater, but every scuba trip is a whale watching trip as well. While diving, you can hear the whales singing very clearly. Water temperatures in the winter are about 74 degrees F, so a 5mm to 7mm wet suit is a must.
Vacation Tips:
If your trip to Maui is centered around scuba diving, stay at a Maui vacation rental on the south side of Kihei. There are lots of accommodations across the street and just north of the boat ramp - just get in touch with us for the latest information and best deals. If you're staying in Lahaina or further north, expect to get up at 4:30 a.m. to make it to Kihei on time. To relax after diving, drive south and check out McKenna Beach (aka "Big Beach") or the adjacent and infamous "Little Beach" (if you have the nerve.)
If you are planning a trip to Hawaii for scuba diving, why not enjoy yourself out of the water too with a Maui vacation rental. Be sure to visit HawaiianBeachRentals.com so see their wide selection of Maui condo rentals. Afterall, a beautiful place to stay makes the hard day's work of diving just that much more enjoyable. Just go to the Hawaiian Beach Rental website and look for "vacation rentals Maui".
Many thanks for reading our Diving Dive Log article
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