Go Scuba Diving In Maui

 

Do you want to see a side of Maui like never before? Check out the beautiful island of Maui from a different view- underwater! There are many places in Maui where you can go scuba diving even if you have never been before. You can go on a guided tour, learn from an instructor or rent equipment if you don’t have your own. Below is more information about snorkeling and scuba diving in Maui.

Diving Trips

There are many different diving trips for you to choose from if you are staying in Maui. Many places offer small group SCUBA trips to at least two different destinations on each day of the week. Set out with other divers on a fully-equipped dive boat and enjoy comfortable seating and amenities (such as a bathroom) while you travel to your dive location.

There are knowledgeable crew members and diving instructors that can help you no matter what your level of experience and most dives are very affordable. If you are concerned with price, you might also look into package deals to save you money or go with a group.

There are also many specialty diving opportunities such as diving in caves or caverns. There are special excursions you can take with a professional tour guide to show you sights you probably never dreamed of before.

If you are a novice diver or if you are in a party with snorkelers, then you might want to take a different boat trip or tank dive trip. You will have to contact facilities that offer these to find out all the details. There are also many introductory dives and diving courses for you if you are new to the underwater world.

Snorkeling Trips

In addition to scuba diving, you might want to try snorkeling. There are many places that let you view gorgeous coral reefs and much more as well as the many exotic underwater living creatures of the Hawaiian Islands. Set out on a boat with many other snorkelers whether it’s your first time or you’ve been doing it forever. Head out to a nice snorkeling location such as a coral reef and friendly, knowledgeable crew will help you even if you have never done this before. There are “boogie boards” available to help you while moving through the water.

Even if you have been snorkeling before, you have likely never seen it like it is in Maui so it is well worth the time to go for at least one day and check it out. Snorkeling usually costs around $50 a day per person but you will have to call actual facilities since prices are subject to change. There are also group deals and discounts that you may be eligible for as well if you call and check into it.

Diving Courses

If you don’t know how to dive, you might want to look into getting some instructions first before you set out to go on a dive with people that know what they are doing. There are also many places that offer diving courses for those of you that may not have even been diving before. You can take classes on all the details of diving as well as go out on a boat with an instructor that will show you exactly how to do everything properly and safely.

If you are looking to find out exact pricing and diving schedules for different resorts and facilities, you will have to call them to find out all of the details. Equipment rentals can vary in pricing according to exactly what you need and what company you go through so you have to call to find out for sure. There are some places in Maui that offer trips and equipment that have their information available online and this may make it easier for you to plan ahead for your trip and find which location you want to use.

If you are going to be in Maui for vacation, you really need to take at least one day to go scuba diving or snorkeling and see the amazing underwater world in person for yourself. You might even want to take along an underwater camera to remember your adventure.

You can check into pricing, dive days and times as well as what certifications they have and what comes in their deals to help choose the one that suits your needs the best.

via Travel Guide to Vacation Destinations: Go Scuba Diving In Maui.

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Comments from Atlantis Divers:

Our owners, David & Laura Hay, had a great experience with a dive operation in Maui. If you would like a referral, please contact us at shop@atlantisdiversva.com.

Will to survive

December 25th, 2008

 

A rescued monk seal pup thrives after being released into the wild

By Laurie Au , Honolulu Star Bulletin

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Dec 24, 2008

 

A 7-month-old Hawaiian monk seal nursed back to health by scientists appeared to be thriving during its first week back in the wild in what officials say was a “pioneering achievement.”The male pup, named KP2, was the youngest Hawaiian monk seal ever to be raised by scientists of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and later released successfully into the wild.

“This has never been done before. … He still has a lot to learn and a long way to go. Even though it’s only a week out, we consider this a groundbreaking success,” said David Schofield, marine mammal response coordinator for the National Marine Fisheries Service, part of NOAA.

Scientists released the pup in an undisclosed location last week and will continue monitoring it for another week.

In May, biologists rescued the pup just 24 hours after it was born and abandoned by its mother on Kauai’s North Shore.

“One of the saddest things I’ve seen in the 20 years I’ve been working with marine mammals is to see this little black monk seal pup with its little flippers stretched out with this large rock and trying to nurse from it,” Schofield recalled.

The following days were the most critical for the 30-pound pup. Biologists knew there was a great chance of the pup dying, because no one has ever successfully cared for a monk seal that young.

Dr. Gregg Levine, the chief veterinarian for the pup, said the most important thing at first was finding the right formula with enough nutrition since the pup didn’t nurse from its mother at all.

In August, when the pup was 3 months old, scientists felt it was ready to be introduced in the wild again and moved it to an ocean pen at the Marine Corps Base in Kaneohe. There, the pup learned how to eat on its own, catching live octopus, fish and crabs.

“Our focus was, once we got this animal in, was to ensure his health and safety,” Levine said. “But we also wanted to maintain a sufficient quarantine so he could be released back into the population.”

Last week, the Coast Guard transported the pup to a location in the main Hawaiian islands with other endangered monk seals. When scientists brought him to the water’s edge and opened the cage, the pup immediately took off into the water and didn’t look back.

The monk seal, which now weighs a healthy 150 pounds, has so far successfully adapted to the wild, Schofield said.

But Levine and Schofield say it’s difficult to predict the pup’s chances of survival. The real test is seeing if the pup makes it to sexual maturity, which typically occurs when it is 5 to 7 years old.

“Thinking back on how small and scrawny that little seal was, a little bag of bones, and then seeing it fat and healthy and on its way out to the wild, it’s just the best feeling in the world,” Schofield said.

He said scientists have learned valuable lessons from this monk seal – lessons that can be used to help this endangered species.

“We’re very happy for the individual,” Schofield said. “If this population continues to decline at the rate that it is, efforts like this is going to be necessary to recover the species.”

 

 

 

A 7-month-old Hawaiian monk seal nursed back to health by scientists appeared to be thriving during its first week back in the wild in what officials say was a “pioneering achievement.”

The male pup, named KP2, was the youngest Hawaiian monk seal ever to be raised by scientists of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and later released successfully into the wild.

“This has never been done before. … He still has a lot to learn and a long way to go. Even though it’s only a week out, we consider this a groundbreaking success,” said David Schofield, marine mammal response coordinator for the National Marine Fisheries Service, part of NOAA.

Scientists released the pup in an undisclosed location last week and will continue monitoring it for another week.

In May, biologists rescued the pup just 24 hours after it was born and abandoned by its mother on Kauai’s North Shore.

“One of the saddest things I’ve seen in the 20 years I’ve been working with marine mammals is to see this little black monk seal pup with its little flippers stretched out with this large rock and trying to nurse from it,” Schofield recalled.

The following days were the most critical for the 30-pound pup. Biologists knew there was a great chance of the pup dying, because no one has ever successfully cared for a monk seal that young.

Dr. Gregg Levine, the chief veterinarian for the pup, said the most important thing at first was finding the right formula with enough nutrition since the pup didn’t nurse from its mother at all.

In August, when the pup was 3 months old, scientists felt it was ready to be introduced in the wild again and moved it to an ocean pen at the Marine Corps Base in Kaneohe. There, the pup learned how to eat on its own, catching live octopus, fish and crabs.

“Our focus was, once we got this animal in, was to ensure his health and safety,” Levine said. “But we also wanted to maintain a sufficient quarantine so he could be released back into the population.”

Last week, the Coast Guard transported the pup to a location in the main Hawaiian islands with other endangered monk seals. When scientists brought him to the water’s edge and opened the cage, the pup immediately took off into the water and didn’t look back.

The monk seal, which now weighs a healthy 150 pounds, has so far successfully adapted to the wild, Schofield said.

But Levine and Schofield say it’s difficult to predict the pup’s chances of survival. The real test is seeing if the pup makes it to sexual maturity, which typically occurs when it is 5 to 7 years old.

“Thinking back on how small and scrawny that little seal was, a little bag of bones, and then seeing it fat and healthy and on its way out to the wild, it’s just the best feeling in the world,” Schofield said.

He said scientists have learned valuable lessons from this monk seal – lessons that can be used to help this endangered species.

“We’re very happy for the individual,” Schofield said. “If this population continues to decline at the rate that it is, efforts like this is going to be necessary to recover the species.”

To view complete article: http://www.starbulletin.com/news/hawaiinews/20081224_Will_to_survive.html