cj9200
DIS Dad #412
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2006
Today was the first of three days diving in the deep blue seas of the Pacific. The Diving Pirate Princess was really excited about this. So was I.
But before we start on the diving, more about the hotel. We were on the 3rd floor and had an ocean view. The Royal Kona is a beautiful resort and the staff were top notch.
Some pics of the room
The small fridge to store leftovers for midnight snacks
Notice the multiple beauty products, none of which were mine
In addition to the pool, they have a “private” lagoon area
A view of the ocean that was right off our room
Really enjoyed listening to the waves crash on the beach, especially going to sleep
Each of the buildings had an open courtyard
Ours had a Koi pond in the middle. Some big fat fishes in here.
Had a coke out on patio and this guy was up early catching tonight’s dinner perhaps?
Did not see him catch anything.
No breakfast today because we had to be the dive shop before 8 am. The TA that arranged the trip was Caradoona Dive Adventures and set us up with with Jacks Diving Locker. For any divers out there both the TA and the dive operation were first rate. Not as good as Dreams Unlimited but then they don’t do diving adventures.
We check in and they give us the option of taking their van to the marina or driving ourselves. Today we decided to take the van to get the lay of the land. They have a three boats that are smaller than I am used to. Anywhere from 5 to 20 people on a boat at one time. Each group is led by a guide. Unlike Key Largo, they just don’t let you jump out of the boat and swim around. We hired a personal guide for the first day (expensive) because we did not want to explore the entire the Pacific ocean and not have the time to take pictures. After seeing how the guides worked with their guests it really wasn’t worth hiring our own. They were good about taking their time looking around.
We get to the Marina which is a couple of miles down the road and get on the boat. These guys were good. Our gear was not only on board but it was hooked up to the tanks even before we stepped foot on the boat. Fantastic service.
We get on and are ready to go. A short boat ride and we were at the first dive site. I’ll have to find the log book for the sites and will post them later for any divers out there. My first reaction was how calm the water was. There isn’t an appreciable land mass for something like a thousand miles and the waves were maybe 1-2 feet. In the Keys that would be great conditions, here it was in their eyes rough. This was the worst day we had on the water. i’ll take it every time.
So we hit the water. A couple of pics.
Sea Urchins used to be a problem in South Florida but we don’t see many of them any more. Interesting seeing them again.
Lots of fishes body surfing near the shore
Couple of butterfly fishes hanging out
The kid just keeping swimming
After the first dive
Between dives, they serve sandwiches, chips, cookies and drinks. They even ask beforehand any special dietary needs, so they had a veggie wrap or sandwich for Pooh on each trip. While you are eating, they change out your gear to the second tank. Can’t wait to dive in Key Largo just to bust the crews chops about it. It is expensive to dive in Hawaii but worth it.
More underwater pics coming up in the next update.
Up Next: More diving before its Manta Time AKA: These suckers are HUGE.
But before we start on the diving, more about the hotel. We were on the 3rd floor and had an ocean view. The Royal Kona is a beautiful resort and the staff were top notch.
Some pics of the room
The small fridge to store leftovers for midnight snacks
Notice the multiple beauty products, none of which were mine
In addition to the pool, they have a “private” lagoon area
A view of the ocean that was right off our room
Really enjoyed listening to the waves crash on the beach, especially going to sleep
Each of the buildings had an open courtyard
Ours had a Koi pond in the middle. Some big fat fishes in here.
Had a coke out on patio and this guy was up early catching tonight’s dinner perhaps?
Did not see him catch anything.
No breakfast today because we had to be the dive shop before 8 am. The TA that arranged the trip was Caradoona Dive Adventures and set us up with with Jacks Diving Locker. For any divers out there both the TA and the dive operation were first rate. Not as good as Dreams Unlimited but then they don’t do diving adventures.
We check in and they give us the option of taking their van to the marina or driving ourselves. Today we decided to take the van to get the lay of the land. They have a three boats that are smaller than I am used to. Anywhere from 5 to 20 people on a boat at one time. Each group is led by a guide. Unlike Key Largo, they just don’t let you jump out of the boat and swim around. We hired a personal guide for the first day (expensive) because we did not want to explore the entire the Pacific ocean and not have the time to take pictures. After seeing how the guides worked with their guests it really wasn’t worth hiring our own. They were good about taking their time looking around.
We get to the Marina which is a couple of miles down the road and get on the boat. These guys were good. Our gear was not only on board but it was hooked up to the tanks even before we stepped foot on the boat. Fantastic service.
We get on and are ready to go. A short boat ride and we were at the first dive site. I’ll have to find the log book for the sites and will post them later for any divers out there. My first reaction was how calm the water was. There isn’t an appreciable land mass for something like a thousand miles and the waves were maybe 1-2 feet. In the Keys that would be great conditions, here it was in their eyes rough. This was the worst day we had on the water. i’ll take it every time.
So we hit the water. A couple of pics.
Sea Urchins used to be a problem in South Florida but we don’t see many of them any more. Interesting seeing them again.
Lots of fishes body surfing near the shore
Couple of butterfly fishes hanging out
The kid just keeping swimming
After the first dive
Between dives, they serve sandwiches, chips, cookies and drinks. They even ask beforehand any special dietary needs, so they had a veggie wrap or sandwich for Pooh on each trip. While you are eating, they change out your gear to the second tank. Can’t wait to dive in Key Largo just to bust the crews chops about it. It is expensive to dive in Hawaii but worth it.
More underwater pics coming up in the next update.
Up Next: More diving before its Manta Time AKA: These suckers are HUGE.