Okay if you want to do some diving this is the island to do it. I love diving and underwater photography. The aquatic bio mass in Kona is the primary reason I have been coming to this island since I was about 10 years old (long time ago). One of the best boat diving outfits on the island is Jacks Diving Locker (website below). This company has been around a long time! I did my first intro to scuba with them and have taken many many classes and dive certs and have been on hundreds of dives with Jack's. They are one of the best dive outfits on the island and most of the instructors and dive masters are friends of mine. If you want to dive with one of the best outfits on the island, call Jacks! Their regular two tank morning charters are some of the best all around easy dives you can do. You can see macro and wide angle stuff. Really cool stuff! You will also experience some very nice reef structure and lava tubes. If you get lucky and often you might… you can see some insane special treats like Manta’s, Turtles, Tigers, Reef Sharks, Whale Songs, and even a rare Whale shark (see video below). Most of the pictures above I shot while on a regular two tank Jack’s boat dive. If you want to expand your diving I would recommend an advanced dive (adventure dive). This is a smaller more private crew and they normally take you a bit farther to look for special stuff. Often times, these dives are drift dives and spectacular! You have to have your advanced cert for these dives. If that is not enough for you… then try the Pelagic Magic black water dive. It is one of the most unique dives I have ever done. Get tethered off in 5000 feet of water and watch the psychedelic bio mass populate about 6” from your mask. If you have never done a black water dive… try and do this Dive! If you have more time take some classes. Jacks offers a plethora of classes and specialties like Advanced open water, Rescue, Buoyancy, Side Mount, Rebreather and even a Dive Master program. Do yourself a favor and jump on a boat with these guys… you will be happy you did. If shore diving is your thing… hit Jack’s up as well. The can square you away with tanks and rental gear and even some maps of local shore dive sites. Some popular shore dives are two steps and mile marker 4. Only venture out on a shore dive if you are an experienced shore diver and never go alone. If you are a diver please enjoy the abundance of epic diving that Kona has to offer.
Please Note: There are other dive companies on the island you can use like Pacific Rim Divers and Kona Honu Divers and others, but I don’t have much (if any) experience with them. I personally prefer to use Jacks. However, you are welcome to call around and do some research on your own for the best Dive/Snorkel/Rental company that fits your needs. The important thing is that you try and experience all the wonderful water activities the Big Island has to offer….:)