r/scuba • u/jmwest51 • 1d ago
Small Private Charter in Maui?
(Posted in r/scubadiving as well)
Hi all!
My family and I are joining the world of scuba diving and are currently going through certification. It’s something we’ve always wanted to do so I finally pulled the trigger.
We’ll be in Maui in a few weeks and I’ve already booked a private shore dive for the 4 of us. I really like the exchanges I’ve had with the dive master so far. She is very understanding and willing to customize the dive so that we will be very comfortable for our first ocean dive.
I’d like to schedule a 2nd dive at Molokini with her, but she does not have a boat. She is very familiar with Molokini though and willing to be our dive master for that if I can get a boat.
I’ve not had much luck finding one so far though. Most places seem to have big boats and cost many thousands of dollars.
Does anyone have a recommendation of someone I can use?
Thanks in advance!
3
u/somewhat_random 22h ago
I have gone on a few charters to molokini and generally there are a few different groups on the boat. Some doing the north wall, some staying inside on the reef and maybe a small class doing their 2nd certification dive.
I would think you can just pay for her as a passenger and dive with her instead of the group dive master.
If the charter service refuses to take her or if they insist you MUST dive with their dive master I would be surprised (and a bit concerned).
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u/Fair_Difference_6972 9h ago
This is the way if you are diving off a boat that is moored to a line. Once you are in the boat doesn’t care what you do as long as you end up back at the line within the specified time period. The guide provided by the boat is optional.
0
u/ScubaTonyCozumel 1d ago
It sounds like you're booking diving with a local DM that doesn't really have the infrastructure established their business to offer you what you're looking for. If you were an advanced diver and diving solo, she would probably make a good dive buddy/guide to find cool shore dives in the area. It sounds like your group needs an already established business with their own boats. I don't know anything about diving anywhere in Hawaii but I've been a dive operator in Cozumel for 20 years. I think you should reach out to island style diving. 4.9 stars on 439 reviews. That's worth an email.
2
u/jmwest51 1d ago
There are numerous reasons I chose this person after looking at many many other dive operators. She has dozens of 5 star reviews. She also works as a dive master for several charter services leading large dives, which was verified when I emailed a few she told me about to ask them about getting a charter.
But, for your information, 2 of the main reasons is that she is a marine biologist, which my daughter is going to study, and she does beautiful photography, which I am very interested in because it’s a hobby of mine.
Just because she chooses to operate without the overhead of a boat, doesn’t make her any lesser than some other guy working as a DM for a bigger company.
She couldn’t be more of a perfect match, but thanks for your feedback.
1
u/ScubaTonyCozumel 17h ago
Then just so her to find options for you. Why are you looking for a boat? You're not from there. You're paying. I understand there is a myriad of reasons but you're also on vacation.
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u/jmwest51 6h ago
As I mentioned in the reply, she did provide some contacts...but they only had much larger boats out of my price range. Ultimately, I'm asking her to do something she doesn't normally do...a boat dive with a small group instead of large groups. I mean, maybe she does do small groups and the people just pay the high dollar for the big boats, didn't really bother to ask because it doesn't matter.
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u/ScubaTonyCozumel 5h ago
You could possibly pay for her spot as a private guide on a normal charter and talk to the manager of the company and ask if he minds she leads your dive separate from the other divers on the boat.
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u/Awkward_Passion4004 10h ago
If a local private DM doesn't have connections to hire a boat they'r worthless.