Maui - Lahaina Divers, not a good experience.

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Maui - Lahaina Divers, not a good experience.

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Maui - Lahaina Divers, not a good experience. - 4/28/2007 1:41:47 AM

skinnertim

Posts: 1
Joined: 4/28/2007
Status: offline

I thought I'd let folks know about my recent 2 dive trips with Lahaina Divers. I did a 2-tank Molokini Backwall dive and followed that up with a sunset/night dive the following day. On the first dive trip, the following was noted:
- you setup your own equipment on the first dive (ok, no big deal...but I've never had that happen on other dive charters).
- nitrox wasn't on-board (even though I ordered it), I was then told they don't do in on this dive due to possible undertows.
- divemaster gave dive briefing 40 min. prior to arriving on site, then all the crew vanished upstairs to hide with the captain. Absolutely no interaction with any of the paying divers.
- dive itself went fine, our divemaster showed us maybe 5 things (seemed rather light considering the site we were at)
- upon getting back on the boat, we were served a mediocre lunch offering (with only water in a jug), no fruit, no other source of beverage.
- divemasters actually changed gear this time (why now)
- 2nd dive again was ok, very little shown by divemaster
- got back on boat, everyone was then told they could have their "one" cookie (wasn't anything special)
- crew hid again on the way back to the dock
In summary, it was the coldest (and I don't mean temperature!) dive trip ever taken. My mistake was not canceling the rest of my dive trips right then and there with this group. I made the mistake of going out the next day on the Sunset/Night dive trip.

This trip started out the same exact way...
- setup my own gear, no nitrox (we don't do them on night dives), early (light) dive briefing, captain was nice and friendly (while he was around), but the only other divemaster once again ignored us.
- Once boat started to leave dock, we were all then informed, there will be no food on this dive (thanks for the heads up). Supposedly, the caterer didn't show up (that's funny considering the quality of food from the day before). And yes, we had the same barrel of water we could drink from (no other beverages).
- First dive was ok...no divemaster though, she would just keep an eye out for us. Depth was anywhere from 75-95 ft.
- After a short drive to our final site, we were then encouraged to go do our second dive 30Ft after a 20-25 min surface interval (what, are you crazy).
- All of us changed over our gear by ourselves (the lone divemaster sort of encourged us to do so).
- Second dive had no divemaster assistance underwater, she was busy taking her 2 friends out underwater.

The nitrox thing was strange, I was willing to pay the extra money for it (they didn't bill me), but they didn't tell me that I wouldn't get it on all of my dives. The cold crew interaction (minus the captain the 2nd day), was unheard of. By the way, these folks don't even care if you have your padi card (open water or nitrox), just sign a form, it's ok.

Look, some of this may sound like complaining, but if you have dove with other respectable operations (like Ed Robinson's), you'll quickly see the big difference. It wasn't as if these folks charged less money...I believe it was the same. Just a whole lot less in customer satisfaction. I would highly recommend Ed Robinson's or Maui Dive shop before I'd give these folks a nickel. If you must try them, please only do 1 dive (and then try Ed). The only reason I tried these folks out was just to try something different...this wasn't exactly what I was looking for though.

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Post #: 1

RE: Maui - Lahaina Divers, not a good experience. - 4/28/2007 7:04:54 AM

Marioreynaud

Posts: 621
Joined: 4/14/2007
Status: offline

Unfortunetly this kind of things use to happen. I start to dive nine years ago, and certified and often about one year ago (85 dives) AOW PADI, on my experience, and I have never being in Hawaii, just Dove in Mexico, Belize and US, there are just few serious and very good Dive Shops where I should recomend (Amigos del mar, in Belize; Del Mar Aquatics, in Cozumel and XTC in Xcalak (Chinchorro reef). I am very sure that the world is plenty of very good Dive Shop Operators and I will be looking forward to meet them all. LOL

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(in reply to skinnertim)

Post #: 2

RE: Maui - Lahaina Divers, not a good experience. - 4/28/2007 9:12:15 AM

ZenaGirl

Posts: 93
Joined: 11/8/2006
Status: offline

We had the SAME experience at Christmas diving with Lahaina Divers, and after hearing that someone I recommended book with them had the same experience 2 months later, I e-mailed the owner to tell her. We're long-time customers of theirs (3 years) and have NEVER had this type of experience until our last trip. They used to be friendly, fun, and very professional....can't say that about them now.

Please e-mail them and tell the owner of your experience. She sent me a $100 voucher for a future charter, and although I'm not sure I'll use it, it was the right thing to do. Perhaps since you just got back, they'll credit your credit card instead for a few bucks. It's at least worth a try....

(in reply to Marioreynaud)

Post #: 3

2 words- Extended Horizons esp if up in Lahaina... - 4/28/2007 10:40:37 AM

Lydia

Posts: 1990
Joined: 11/8/2006
From: Long Island, NY
Status: offline

Kaanapali. Ed Robinson and Mike S are down south in Kihei.
I have used Eric at EH for years- professional and great diving- no cattle boats like many others.
Sorry you had a bummer with that cattle boat- next time Eric!
Aloha!

link to Eric and EH: http://www.extendedhorizons.com/

(in reply to skinnertim)

Post #: 4

RE: 2 words- Extended Horizons esp if up in Lahaina... - 4/28/2007 1:17:15 PM

SeaHawk

Posts: 2320
Joined: 11/8/2006
Status: online

I dont see what the problem is

I have never been on a day boat where my gear was set up
I can see the reasons for no Nitrox
I have never had a DM get in the water with me, let alone show me stuff
I have been on a 3 day liveaboard where I didnt see the Capt
The SI between dives was sufficient enough for you to have done 148 minutes at 35' (and that was assuming you were at 95' for the entire time on your previous dive)

I know I know...you would think for the cost you would have been totally pampered...oh wait...this was Hawaii...where everything is expensive

(in reply to Lydia)

Post #: 5

Unfortunate.. I have not had that exp there (+) - 4/28/2007 2:36:09 PM

divebri

Posts: 3393
Joined: 11/7/2006
Status: offline

the several times I was there, they were very good, and I TOLD them I wanted to set up my gear as well as the three kids with me (they were new, I wanted them to get the experience).

True that they don't have anything but water and lemonade on board, but the cookies were plentiful, the chips and salsa was there and the sandwiches were standard wrapped-up heroes.

I have recommended them because their boats are wonderful for the trips to Lanai and Molokini (nice, big, comfortable with smaller loads, and I've never been on that boat with a full load) and their DM's and instructors have always been friendly and good to me and my little throng of children I always seem to ahve around.
Did the twilight-night dive a few years ago, and it was great.

Too bad - I thought they were a good operation. Not all things to all people, but definitely good for a big-boat, resort-diver area.

Band B in Kihei, top notch, BTW.

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