Three Best Scuba Dives on the Big Island
What it includes: Half-hour instructional video, 2-tank/2-location beginner dive, equipment, instruction, guided boat dive, harbor and registration fees. You do not have to be certified.
Time: 8:30am-1:30pm
2) Two-Tank Dive
What it includes: Equipment, harbor fee, snack and punch. Certified divers only.
Time: 8:00am-1:00pm
3) "Manta Ray Madness" Night Dive
Kona Coast Divers is the only dive operation that provides over 500 watts of underwater lights placed on the bottom to attract plankton for the Manta Rays to feed on. They boast a 90% Manta sighting encounters. What it includes: 1 tank, equipment, glow light, harbor fee. A dive light is recommended (you can rent one on the spot for $5). Certified divers only.
Time: Varies
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Are you in love with snorkeling, but you want to get closer and see more of the underwater world? Take an introductory scuba dive; after a brief lesson on how to use the diving equipment, you'll plunge into the deep to swim with the tropical fish and go eyeball to eyeball with other marine critters.
Sites may include Garden Eel Cove (large colony of garden eels in only 50 feet of water), High Rock (wide old lava flow with many pinnacles and archways you can explore), Suck-Em-Up Cavern (long lava tube is 100 feet long with fantastic skylights, lots of different types of marine life inside, shells and large puffer fish), and some other fascinating spots.
Past divers have described their Manta dive experience as something right out of the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" - except this close encounter takes place in inner space and the flying saucers are alive. Giant, harmless Manta Rays, with wingspans that reach up to 14 feet, glide gracefully right next to you to feed on plankton.